The public health department of Niagara's regional government wants to make it mandatory for establishments such as restaurants, large banquet facilities and large catering operations to have a manager on staff at all times with special training in safe food handling.

The idea is that such a requirement would reduce the chances of people getting food poisoning.

The region investigated 12 food poisoning outbreaks in Niagara last year, including some high-profile ones such as an outbreak traced back to a Mediterranean restaurant in St. Catharines last summer that left dozens sick and four people hospitalized with symptoms such as acute diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

An investigation revealed people got sick from E. coli bacteria, because the restaurant continued to serve food even though a water main break left it without potable water for 18 hours, meaning proper cleaning and hygiene could not be followed.

Last fall, regional politicians called on the province to make food safety preparation training mandatory for everyone in Ontario employed in the preparation and serving of food to the public. But regional staff told politicians June 24 the province hasn't made any moves to do that.

At the same meeting, staff said they hoped to follow the lead of public health bodies in Toronto, Hamilton and Brant County, which have passed bylaws requiring a manager certified in safe food handling be on duty at all times at places such as restaurants and large banquet facilities. Regional staff said they will report back on what is necessary for such a bylaw to be put in place here.

The region's budget for its food safety program, which involves inspections at restaurants, stores, supermarkets and festivals and special events, is $1.39 million this year. But because Niagara has more than 3,000 establishments serving food, and an increasing number of festivals, that means there's only time to inspect each establishment one to three times a year, depending on risk factors such as the complexity of the preparation of the food, and if the food is of the type often implicated in food poisoning.

In addition to eateries, supermarkets and fast food outlets serving prepared food, Niagara now has more than 200 annual events and festivals, often serving hot and cold food which can become easily contaminated without proper care. That's a big increase from less than 100 annual events only four years ago.

Aside from inspections, which last year resulted in dozens and tickets and the closure of 13 establishments for food safety infractions, the region has certified more than 1,000 food handlers a year for the past several years. A shorter course was also offered for seasonal workers such as students who are hired in the tourist areas during the summer.

St. Catharines Coun. Judy Casselman said that training has almost certainly reduced the number of food poisoning outbreaks at Niagara restaurants.

The regional also launched a website, NiagaraInfoDine, last year to make eatery food inspection infractions public. Earlier this year, the website was expanded to include the posting of inspection results at hospitals, day care centres and long-term care centres.