An Alma-area man pleaded guilty and was fined $1,500 for violating provincial food regulations.
On May 20, Ronald Weiland pleaded guilty in Guelph court to operating a premise without a licence required under Ontario’s Food Safety and Quality Act.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) officials say that on Oct. 17, 2014, ministry compliance officers conducted an inspection at Weiland’s farm near Alma.
The Food Safety and Quality Act requires a licence to produce “category 2” meat products, which includes “canning, curing, dehydrating, emulsifying, fermenting or smoking of a meat product.”
During the inspection, the officers observed a processing area with two stainless steel smokehouses and other equipment and ingredients that could be used to produce “category 2” meat products. In addition, they observed numerous “category 2” meat products in the hold cooler.
At the time of the incident, Weiland did not possess the required OMAFRA-issued licence to conduct “category 2” activities.
Justice A. Rodney ordered Weiland to pay a fine of $1,500 plus a victim fine surcharge of $375, for a total of $1,875.
