A Documentation Audit is being offered for Chain food service establishments (FSEs) that meet the criteria listed below. Participation by Chain FSEs in the Documentation Audit is voluntary although it is intended to reduce duplication, assist with the workload and streamline the enforcement process. The Documentation Audit will expedite the task of determining compliance for each Chain FSE site and reduce the number and frequency of on-site inspection for trans fat compliance.
Eligibility Criteria
Chain FSEs must meet ALL of the following criteria to apply for a Documentation Audit:
- Operate a set of related food service establishments in locations throughout British Columbia in more than one health authority under a corporate umbrella or franchising agreement (see Provincial Health Authorities);
- Operate with a common menu and a central food purchasing system for all related food service establishments comprising part of the Chain FSE;
- Affirm that all food and food products at each food service establishment comprising part of the Chain FSE are based on the common menu and central purchasing system as of the date of the application;
- Maintain central documentation of all food and food products purchased for the common menu at corporate or head office (note this requirement is in addition to the obligation under the Regulation to maintain documentation for food on the premises of each food service establishment); and
- Documentation provided by the Chain FSE head office to the regional Health Authority or BC Centre for Disease Control must be submitted electronically in PDF format (see Documentation Requirements).
To apply for the Documentation Audit:
Contact your local Health Authority or BC Centre for Disease Control for a Documentation Audit application. Applications are requested by September 30th, 2009. If you choose not to participate in the documentation audit, on site inspections may begin October 1, 2009 as part of the routine food safety inspections.
BC Chain FSEs with head offices located in BC may contact the BC Health Authority, Health Protection Division of the region their head office is located in:
- Fraser Health
- Interior Health
- Northern Health
- Vancouver Coastal Health (email environmental.health@vch.ca)
- Vancouver Island Health Authority
BC Chain FSEs with head offices located outside of BC may contact the BC Centre for Disease Control, Food Protection Services.
If you have any further inquiries in regard to the Documentation Audit process, call 8-1-1 and ask to speak to a HealthLink BC dietitian.