Overview

OMAFRA is committed to ensuring meat plant operators are treated with professionalism, objectivity and respect. Your feedback can also help us to improve future inspections and audits for your business and other across Ontario. We are committed to the principles of negotiation and mediation in dealing with any concern a client may have.

Inspection or audit feedback

If your business had an inspection or audit done recently and you would like to discuss your experience, please contact us by either:

Concerns related to a food safety inspection

As outlined in the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 an operator may also request a hearing with respect to a regulatory action that impacts a licence or an order.

If you have concerns related to a food safety inspector's approach or you do not understand why the inspector has asked you to take specific actions, please take the following steps:

  1. Contact your area manager

    The area manager will work with you and the food safety inspector to find a resolution to your concerns. If the outcome of the process is not satisfactory, follow Step 2.
  2. Contact the regional manager

    Make a complaint in writing to the regional manager. This can be done by mail or email. Include a description of the situation and all details that are relevant for the regional manager to understand your concerns and position.

    The regional manager will document and acknowledge your complaint within two business days. He/she will indicate when the complaint will be addressed and will follow up with any required action within that timeframe.

Complaints related to regulatory actions impacting a licence or order

  1. Request a hearing verbally or in writing

    Address your request to the hearing coordinator.

    Information will be sent to you prior to the hearing. If there is a negative impact on your licence as a result of the hearing (for example suspension or revocation), you may appeal this decision to the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal (AFRAAT).
  2. Request an appeal with AFRAAT

    Address your request in writing to the tribunal coordinator.

    Your request will be reviewed and you will be notified in writing as to whether an appeal will be heard, and if so, where and when.

    Note: Carcass dispositions, condemnations and/or decisions related to humane slaughter requirements are not subject to this process.

Contact us

Hearings

Enforcement and Hearing Coordinator
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
1 Stone Road West, 5th Floor
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2

Tel: 519-826-4537
Fax: 226-780-0094
regulatory.compliance@ontario.ca

Appeals

The Tribunal Coordinator
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal
1 Stone Road West, 2nd Floor
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2

Tel: 519-826-3433
Fax: 519-826-4232
Email: appeals.tribunal.omafra@ontario.ca

Note: Hearings and appeals will be held at 1 Stone Road West in Guelph, Ontario unless the licensee lives outside of a two-hour drive of Guelph, in which case, the hearing may be held in the licensee's area.

Area or regional manager

For meat inspection program area manager and/or regional manager contact information, please refer to the Employee and Organization Directory (INFO-GO).

Inspection or audit feedback

General information

Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300

Email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca