Food premises
KFL&A Public Health inspects food premises to ensure they are following the regulation and using safe food handling practices. Inspection results can be viewed online.
Anyone intending to operate a food premises in Ontario must notify the local public health unit of their intent, as per subsection 16 (2) of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act R.S.O. 1990, c.H.7.
A food premises is defined as a premises where food or milk is manufactured, processed, prepared, stored, handled, displayed, distributed, transported, sold or offered for sale, but does not include a room actually used as a dwelling in a private residence.
All food premises in Ontario, including public markets, mobile food preparation vehicles, and home-based food premises must meet the requirements of Ontario Regulation 493/17 Food Premises.
Operating, constructing, or renovating new food premises |
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Complete the Notice of Intent to Operate a Food Premises Application if you are opening a new food premises, changing, or taking ownership of an existing food premises If the food premises will not be on municipal services, you must provide information on the type and location of the water supply, and water treatment system, if applicable. You must also contact your municipality or township for review and approval of the septic system prior to submitting your application to KFL&A Public Health. Once KFL&A Public Health has reviewed and approved your application, a copy of the approved plans may be provided to you to use for your building permit application. Any proposed changes to the approved plan must be reviewed and approved again by the area Public Health Inspector. Once construction is complete, please email our environmental health team to schedule a pre-opening inspection. At least one certified food handler must be onsite during all hours of operation, and all staff preparing food should be trained in safe food handling. |
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Home-based food premises |
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Home-based food premises must meet the requirements of Ontario Regulation 493/17 Food Premises, as well as municipal zoning requirements. The requirements of a home-based food premise are similar to other food premises. If your property is serviced by a private septic system, you must contact your municipality or township to review and approve the septic system for use prior to submitting your application to KFL&A Public Health. If your property’s drinking water comes from a private source, such as a well, you should ensure it is safe for use by conducting a water sample in advance of submitting your application to KFL&A Public Health. A public health inspector will also test the water to confirm it is potable. Here is a helpful guide to starting a home-based food business. |
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Markets | ||||
Public MarketsFood vendors at public markets must meet the requirements of Ontario Regulation 493/17 Food Premises. For more information about the requirements, please visit our special event requirements.
Farmers’ MarketsFarmers’ Markets and their food vendors are exempt from the specific requirements of the Food Premises Regulation. However, they are required to operate safely and may be inspected under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act R.S.O. 1990, c.H.7 for the presence of health hazards. Farmers’ markets are physical locations, and food vendors should not be selling their value-added goods online. For more information on Farmers’ Market Responsibilities and Requirements, please visit Farmers Markets Ontario - Food Safety Matters, Roles and Responsibilities For more information on selling specific food items, please visit Farmers Markets Ontario - Food Safety Matters, Practices and Regulations. |