According to information available on the City of Toronto website, Zabiha Halal and Maple Lodge Farms each received three violations on Monday.
Inspectors said Zabiha Halal and Maple Lodge Farms maintained their premises in a way that allowed a “health risk”, which is listed as a “critical breach” — the most serious of those issued under the inspection scheme DineSafe.
The restaurants also received two violations each related to an alleged lack of adequate supplies at hand-washing stations and hot and cold running water in the dishwashing area, charges the city described as “significant.”
The vendors must remain closed until all violations listed in the inspection are corrected, according to the city’s website.
Food is one of the biggest draws at the CNE and, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors are eager to sample the latest culinary creations at Ex.
Last week, the team behind the annual event showed off all the great food on offer this year, including a Krispy Kreme pulled pork sandwich, a flaming hot Cheetos smash burger and a long taco.
More attention has been focused on food safety at the Ex in recent years after an incident in 2013 saw around 200 guests sickened by the much-hyped “cronut” burger (a cheeseburger with a doughnut-croissant hybrid bun).
In that case, a Toronto Public Health (TPH) investigation found that a coating used on the burger was contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus toxin, which TPH attributed to poor refrigeration. The burger was later voluntarily withdrawn from the menu.
The CNE introduced new food safety procedures the following year that saw vendors submit a full list of all the food they prepare and sell, as well as off-site inspections for food served on the show grounds.
