LEGISLATION TO ALLOW PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS

The Saskatchewan government today introduced an amendment to The Public Health Act, 1994 that will provide the authority for the creation of food safety regulations to allow restaurant inspection information to be released to the public.

"We know that food safety is an important health issue for Saskatchewan residents and this is the first step to change the way this issue is handled in this province," Health Minister Len Taylor said.

Once the legislation is passed, Saskatchewan Health will begin consultations with health regions, restaurateurs, industry and others with interest in this issue to determine the type of information to be made available and the most appropriate way to share this with the public.

"We are working with our health system partners to make the changes needed to ensure the public has access to information about restaurants in Saskatchewan," Taylor said.

Saskatchewan Health and health region public officials have established a working group to develop a framework for the best method of disclosing restaurant inspection information to the public.

It is expected that the new regulations for the public disclosure of restaurant inspection reports will be in place by spring 2007.

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For More Information, Contact:

Joan Petrie Health Regina Phone: 306-787-4083 Email: jpetrie@health.gov.sk.ca