SURREY — Fraser Health Public Health is urging residents across the Fraser Valley region to buy food only from approved and licensed food service establishments, warning that unlicensed operators pose significant health risks to consumers.
The regional health authority said it has recently received multiple complaints about illegal food operations, including businesses running out of private homes, garages, and apartments, and those providing unregulated catering, tiffin, or delivery services.
“Fraser Health Public Health is reminding people in our communities to purchase food exclusively from approved food service establishments,” the organization said in a release Friday. “These establishments hold a valid operating permit issued by Fraser Health, granted only after a comprehensive application review and on-site inspection. Permits must be clearly posted and visible to customers.”
Health Risks from Unlicensed Operations
The authority warned that food prepared and sold from unapproved locations can pose serious food safety concerns due to improper handling, storage, and cooking practices. Such operations are not inspected for hygiene, temperature control, or cross-contamination prevention — all of which are essential to public health safety.
“Consuming food from illegal food business increases your risk of food safety concerns and foodborne illnesses from improper food preparation, storage and handling of foods,” the statement said. “Foodborne illnesses such as E. coli and hepatitis may have greater impacts on vulnerable individuals such as children, the elderly, pregnant individuals and individuals with weakened immune systems.”
The warning comes amid a rise in complaints about home-based and online food sellers in recent months, as more individuals turn to social media to advertise homemade meals and baked goods. While many of these ventures begin as small-scale community efforts, Fraser Health emphasized that they must still meet provincial food safety regulations and obtain proper permits.
Guidance for Consumers
Fraser Health outlined several steps consumers can take to ensure the food they purchase is safe. Residents are encouraged to check inspection records for local restaurants and catering businesses through the Fraser Health inspection database at https://www.healthspace.ca/fha/food.
“If a food service establishment has received a closure order due to health violations, a copy of the closure order will be posted on its front door,” the release noted. “Closure and correction orders can be viewed at https://www.healthspace.ca/clients/fha/FHA_Website.nsf/Food-Closure.”
In addition, the authority advised that clean washroom facilities often indicate a well-managed business. Customers with concerns about the cleanliness or legality of a food provider can contact Fraser Health’s Health Protection office.
“If you suspect you have become ill from the food you ate, contact your physician and your local Health Protection office,” the release said.
Information for Food Business Operators
For those looking to start a food business, Fraser Health reiterated that all operators must comply with the provincial Food Premises Regulations. Each business is evaluated by Environmental Health Officers to ensure compliance before a permit is granted.
“All food business operators in British Columbia must comply with legislative requirements in the provincial Food Premises Regulations,” Fraser Health stated. “To ensure they are held to the same standards, each food business is assessed individually by Fraser Health Environmental Health Officers.”
The authority added that applications for temporary food premise permits—for example, at community events—must be submitted at least 14 days in advance to the local Health Protection office. Entrepreneurs can also access step-by-step application guidance and regulatory requirements through the Fraser Health website or by calling 604-587-3936 to speak with an Environmental Health Officer.
Commitment to Public Health and Indigenous Communities
Fraser Health concluded the release by reaffirming its commitment to public service and to working in partnership with Indigenous communities across the Fraser Salish region.
“We recognize that Fraser Health provides care on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region,” the release said.
“Fraser Health is dedicated to serving all Indigenous people, and honours the unique cultures of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit living within the Fraser Salish region.”
With more than 50,000 staff, medical professionals, and volunteers, Fraser Health provides hospital and community-based services across one of British Columbia’s most populous regions. The organization continues to emphasize that food safety is a shared responsibility, requiring both consumers and operators to follow provincial laws designed to protect public health.
