Welcome to our new website

We’ve redesigned niagararegion.ca to make it easier to find what you need. We’re still putting on the finishing touches, so over the next few weeks you may notice:

  • Search is still learning. Some results may be incomplete or out of date. Try browsing by topic from the main menu.
  • Some links may not work. Old bookmarks and links may lead to pages that have moved.
  • Pages are still being updated. We’re reviewing content across the site and improving it as we go.

Food safety at home

Foodborne illness is more common than most people realize, but most cases are preventable. Learn how to handle, prepare and store food safely at home, and how to reduce health risks if you keep backyard chickens.

Safe food handling

Following four basic steps can significantly reduce your risk of foodborne illness. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps — and can appear anywhere from a few hours to more than a week after eating contaminated food.

1
Clean
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling food. Clean kitchen equipment, dishes and surfaces with hot water and dish detergent, then rinse and sanitize.
2
Separate
Keep raw meat, poultry and fish away from ready-to-eat food. Cross-contamination — from uncooked food, dirty hands or shared utensils — is a common cause of foodborne illness.
3
Cook
Cook food to safe internal temperatures. Bacteria grow rapidly between 4°C and 60°C. Use a probe thermometer to confirm food has reached a safe temperature before serving.
4
Chill
Refrigerate food at 4°C or colder and freeze at -18°C or colder. Cold temperatures slow bacterial growth. When in doubt, throw it out.

Backyard chickens

Many cities and towns in Niagara allow residents to keep backyard chickens, but by-laws vary on flock size, coop construction and other requirements. Check with your city or town before getting started.

Public health recommendations for backyard chicken owners

  • Wash your hands after handling birds
  • Wear dedicated shoes, gloves and clothing when cleaning the coop
  • Provide housing that is easy to clean, secure from predators, and well-ventilated with adequate space per bird
  • Remove manure, bedding and feed regularly to reduce bacteria, flies and rodent attraction
  • Store poultry feed in rodent-proof containers
  • Do not bring poultry inside the house
  • Compost poultry manure properly before using it as fertilizer
  • Dispose of dead birds promptly; do not slaughter poultry in the home
  • Clean and sanitize equipment regularly
  • Avoid kissing or snuggling live poultry; do not eat, drink or touch your mouth around chickens
  • Get veterinary help if birds are ill or you notice clusters of deaths

Evidence brief: Reducing health risks associated with backyard chickens — Public Health Ontario