The 1,500-member ‘Filipino in Sault Ste. Marie‘ private Facebook group is taking significant measures to curb the potential rise of an underground economy among its members, aiming to ensure community safety and compliance with health regulations.
This comes as the group has stepped in for the second time within a week to restrict the sale of uninspected, home-cooked meals. Previously, the 1,400-member ‘Bayanihan in Sault’ had been regularly facilitating sales of various Filipino and Korean dishes prepared in private homes, igniting health concerns.
In many instances, the food sold had to be picked up at specified addresses that were privately communicated to members only after an order was placed, raising questions about transparency and food safety. Algoma Public Health (APH) prohibits the sale of food from private residences unless it has been inspected and approved, emphasizing the need for safe food practices.
Last week, APH took action after receiving a complaint, visiting a residence on Atwater Street to assess the situation. Following this, the three-year-old private Facebook group announced on Friday its decision to cease the sale of meals prepared in local home kitchens in order to protect its members.
In response, the ‘Filipino in Sault Ste. Marie’ group has moved swiftly to emphasize compliance among its members. “Hi fellow members of this Filipino in Sault Ste. Marie group!” the group stated in a message to its members. This communication serves as a reminder and an appeal for cooperation to maintain the integrity of their community.
“In light of the recent news and the issues raised in the Bayanihan group that was covered by SooToday, we kindly remind our members who engage in food selling to ensure they possess the proper permits and licenses to operate legally,” the message elaborated.
The administrators expressed concerns about potential scrutiny from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Algoma Public Health, highlighting the importance of safety and legality in their community’s food-related enterprises. “As administrators of this group, we are just reminding our members here and we will not be asking you to provide proof before posting,” they asserted.
Furthermore, the group indicated their intention to monitor posts more closely, stating, “We also reserve the right to start filtering posts as we see fit.” They cautioned that the identity of those who reported the previous group remains unknown, creating an atmosphere of apprehension.
The administrators emphasized unity among the Filipino community, stating, “As part of the small Filipino community in Soo, we implore everyone to help one another and not be in the business to destroy another.” They expressed hope that their community would grow stronger, with a strong belief in the principles of Karma for those who might aim to undermine that unity.
In their dedication to awareness, they encouraged kindness in member interactions, promising to remove any abusive comments that deviated from constructive discussion. “May we continue to be blessed as a community and aim to be a blessing to one another,” they wrote, underscoring their commitment to uplifting their local network.
Algoma Public Health has reiterated the regulatory standards for anyone preparing food from home, noting that at minimum, individuals must meet two crucial requirements: a valid food safety inspection report for their premises and a safe food handler training certificate.
APH’s website warns that purchasing high-risk foods—such as curries, meat dishes, meat pies, lasagnas, and other pastas—through unregulated channels like Facebook auction sites could pose serious health risks, including food poisoning. “Home chefs do not meet the same food safety requirements as an inspected restaurant,” they stated, reinforcing the illegal nature of selling uninspected food and the associated dangers.
**Interview with Maria Santos, Administrator of the ’Filipino in Sault Ste. Marie’ Facebook Group**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Maria. Can you explain the recent actions your group has taken concerning the sale of home-cooked meals?
**Maria Santos**: Thank you for having me. Recently, we recognized a need to address some health and safety concerns regarding the sale of homemade meals within our community. After incidents from another group, ‘Bayanihan in Sault,’ highlighted the issues stemming from uninspected food sales, we decided to take proactive measures. Our priority is to ensure the well-being of our members and compliance with health regulations.
**Editor**: What prompted the specific decision to restrict the sale of these home-cooked meals?
**Maria Santos**: There were several factors, primarily sparked by a complaint received by Algoma Public Health. They conducted inspections after visiting a home involved in these transactions. The sales often involved private communication of pickup locations, which lacked transparency. We felt compelled to intervene to not only protect our members but also to uphold the integrity of our community.
**Editor**: How has the response been from the members of your group regarding these restrictions?
**Maria Santos**: The response has been largely positive. Members understand the importance of safety and legality when it comes to food preparation and sales. Our communication emphasized that engaging in these practices without the necessary permits could lead to scrutiny from authorities like the Canada Revenue Agency and Algoma Public Health. Most of our members appreciate the reminder and are willing to cooperate.
**Editor**: What message do you have for those in the community considering selling home-cooked meals in the future?
**Maria Santos**: I want to encourage anyone interested in food selling to pursue the correct permits and to ensure that their food practices meet health regulations. Not only is it crucial for your own safety and legality, but it also safeguards our community’s reputation. We all want to support each other, and adhering to these guidelines is a way to do that effectively.
**Editor**: Thank you, Maria, for your insights and for the important work you and the group are doing to foster a safe community.
**Maria Santos**: Thank you for having me. We are all in this together, and it’s crucial we support one another while keeping our community safe.