Health unit shuts down meat plant

FORT FRANCES—The Northwestern Health Unit ordered Sunrise Meat and Sausage in Barwick closed on Wednesday after being informed of the possible sale of uninspected meat to the public.
The Times has learned that owner Paul Peters is set to have a hearing with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Monday morning.
It is expected a decision as to how to proceed will be made following the meeting.
An impromptu public meeting regarding the situation was held in Barwick, about a 40-minute drive west of Fort Frances, on Thursday night, where many producers offered their support to Peters.
“We had it so at least the farmers’ would know what we’re doing with their meat on the premises,” Peters said Friday morning, adding while the meat owned by local farmers is uninspected, the products he sells are inspected.
“People were quite upset about it,” local producer Peter Spuzak, who attended the meeting, said Friday morning.
“This hugely affects the Rainy River District—it’s unbelievable,” Spuzak added, warning a permanent closure will suppress people’s livelihood.
Peters noted there was an exemption in the area of the regulations two years ago because of the absence of an abattoir, which is why the operation continued on.
The Northwestern Health Unit said it closed the facility on Nov. 1 for having uninspected meat and meat products on its premises in contravention of Section 40(1) of Ontario Regulation 562 regarding Food Premises, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
A press release issued Thursday afternoon stated there have been no reported illnesses associated with consuming meat or meat products from this location.
Still, the health unit wants to remind consumers to only purchase food products that have been inspected according to provincial or federal regulations.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)