Changes Coming for Some Restaurants in Mississauga

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Published November 8, 2017 at 10:46 pm

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Since there’s no activity more fun than dining out, it makes sense for diners to seek out the best–and safest–dining experience in the city.

And now, less traditional foodservice places will have to abide by more rigorous food safety standards. 

For that reason, foodies–and casual eaters of restaurant food–might be happy to hear City of Mississauga staff recently came forward with recommendations to amend Mississauga’s business licensing bylaw to address food safety.

According to the city, the proposed amendments include the creation of a new retail food premise business licensing category.

This basically means that all businesses that serve food in Mississauga will have to obtain a license and be regularly inspected by Peel Public Health–not just sit-down restaurants that provide food for on-site consumption.

“The new retail food premise business licensing category would allow the city to apply a consistent approach when it comes to licensing and inspection of food businesses,” said Geoff Wright, commissioner, Transportation and Works. “Under the new category, all retail food businesses in Mississauga would be required to obtain a licence and receive regular inspection by Peel Public Health.”

The recommendations went to council for approval on Nov. 8.

Any amendments are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2018.

As for who will be affected, the new category would apply to all retail food premises including takeout restaurants, lunch counters and all food businesses whose primary function is to offer food for consumption off site.

This includes:

  • Butcher Shops
  • Catering Facilities
  • Convenience/Variety Stores
  • Multi-Unit Food Stores (Supermarkets)
  • Bakeries
  • Gas Station Kiosks
  • Bulk Food Stores
  • Seafood Retailers

Businesses whose primary function is to offer food for consumption onsite will continue to be licensed as a restaurant or banquet hall. In addition, those that sell pre-packaged items such as chocolate bars, potato chips and canned beverages will be exempt.

The proposed annual license fees are $188 initially and $183 for renewal.

The city says these fees will help offset costs related to administering and enforcing the by-law.

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