For release: September 03, 2004

PUBLIC ADVISORY:
BUY ONLY INSPECTED MEAT AND MILK

TORONTO - The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is reminding consumers to purchase only meat and milk that has been inspected according to provincial and federal legislation. Consumers have the right to ask about the source of the food products they are buying.

It is illegal for anyone to sell uninspected meat or unpasteurized milk for public consumption under the Meat Inspection Act (Ontario) and the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Ontario's laws and inspection programs are in place to reduce the potential for food-borne illnesses such as salmonellosis and tuberculosis.

The Ontario government is working to ensure that the province has one of the most stringent meat inspection and enforcement systems of any province in Canada.

Anyone with information regarding activities that might be illegal, or that might compromise food safety and public health, is asked to call a 24-hour toll-free hotline: 1-888-466-2372 extension 6-4230.

Additional information on Ontario's food inspection system is available at www.omaf.gov.on.ca

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Media Contact:
Dave McLeod
Communications Branch
(416) 326-3029
(416) 420-5631