20.jun.07
Alberni Valley Times (B.C.)
Julia Carinci
The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), according to this story, offers residents the opportunity to view the history of food inspections at every restaurant, deli and food service establishment in Port Alberni (along with every other island community).
The information is available via the health authority website at www.viha.ca
A link on the site allows residents to view the latest inspection record for local restaurants (listed in alphabetical order).
Each record offers notes on the hazard rating of the facility following each inspection, along with the details of any problems found.
Local environmental health officer Doug Glenn was cited as telling the Times restaurant inspections are risk-based to determine how likely it is that someone could potentially contract a food borne illness from eating at a given facility.
Glenn said food borne illnesses range from cramps and bloating to diarrhea and vomiting or worse, depending on the contaminant and how much of it is consumed.
And don't assume the last meal you had was the one that made you sick - Glenn explained that the symptoms of food poisoning can take 12 to 24 hours to develop.