Winnipeg health inspectors closed 16 restaurants in past year

Winnipeg Health inspectors closed 16 restaurants this year after finding everything from a "massive rodent infestation" to meat being stored at unsafe temperatures, documents obtained by CBC News say.

Results of the past year's restaurant inspections indicate that city and provincial health inspectors closed a total of 16 restaurants, most of them in Winnipeg. That's within the average range of 15 to 20 closures a year, officials say. In 2005, inspectors closed 19 food establishments, including a popular local bakery and a streetside hot-dog cart.

'Massive rodent infestation' found

Some establishments were shut down for reasons beyond their control, such as a sewer backup or a broken dishwasher. But others were closed after not following regulations.

In one of the worst cases, on April 14, provincial inspectors shut down Ho Choy Restaurant at 640 Jefferson Ave., when they discovered a "massive rodent infestation" on the premises, as well as contaminated food, utensils and dishes.

Ho Choy was closed for four days before receiving approval to reopen.

In January, inspectors ordered G'News Restaurant in Oakbank, Man., closed for one day after finding a number of violations, including:

• ham pizza toppings stored at 19 Cinstead of below 5 C;
• a buildup of grime and food debris in the bakery area;
• failing to store utensils in a clean manner

In February, inspectors with the City of Winnipeg also ordered the Famous Wok at the Polo Park Shopping Centreto shut downwhen inspectors discovered improper food handling and filthy conditions. The eatery's manager told CBC News that the restaurant was cleaned up and reopened the very next day.

City inspectors also shut down the Water Boy bottling plant on Notre Dame Avenue, in February, citing a failure to sanitize as well as general disrepair. The plant's owner told CBC News his business remained closed for one month while he made repairs, but it is now back in business.

Charges also laid

Inspectors have laid charges with a number of eateries in the past year. The city issued nine charges and reprimands, while the province laid 15 charges.

Peter Parys, the administrative coordinator with the City of Winnipeg's environmental health services branch, said inspectors usually charge restaurants after a written warning is issued.

"If we see that it's still not being corrected and there's blatant disregard, that's usually when a charge happens," Parys said.

"Another time would be if there's repeated violations occurring in an establishment...and we realize that the people are just choosing not to comply with our regulations."

Restaurant, fruit market among those charged

On Aug. 17, provincial inspectors arrived at Cathay House on Regent and ordered all food destroyed after finding that chicken balls, barbecue pork, ginger beef and rice were being stored at temperatures of between 26 and 44 C. The food had to be stored at below 5 C.

Three charges were laid, including one charge of storing food in filthy containers. Cathay House is now operating under new ownership.

Earlier in the summer, in July, inspectors also hit Vic's Fruit Market on Pembina Highway with a similar charge for not storing eggs in a cooler below 5 C. The owner told CBC News he immediately bought new equipment.

Inspection reports to go online

For the last three years, CBC News has had to make formal requests for restaurant inspection results.

But beginning Nov. 6, the City of Winnipeg will post all restaurant closures and charges on its website and update it every week.