What is the Documentation Audit?
The documentation audit is a voluntary process where Chain Food Service Establishments (Chain FSEs) corporate head office can submit their documentation for trans fat on behalf of all their BC outlets. For documentation submitted, a selection of foods that are most likely to contain trans fat are then audited for compliance under the Trans Fat Regulation. Participants are required to submit new documentation each year. This process is similar to the on-site trans fat inspections conducted by Environmental Health Officers as part of their regular food safety inspections. The documentation audit quickens the task of determining compliance for each Chain FSE site and reduces the number and frequency of on-site inspections for trans fat compliance. For non-participating chains, Environmental Health Officers will continue on-site trans fat inspections at all chain outlets.
Who Can Participate?
A Chain FSE must meet the following criteria in order to participate in the Documentation Audit:
- Operate two or more Chain FSE's in locations throughout British Columbia under a corporate umbrella or franchising agreement;
- Operate with a common menu and a central food purchasing system for all related food service establishments comprising part of the Chain FSE; and
- Maintain central documentation of all food and food products purchased for the common menu at corporate or head office.
Participating Chains*
Based on their 2010/2011 application, the following chain food service establishments have met requirements of the BC Trans Fat Regulation as part of the voluntary documentation audit:
- 7-Eleven
- ABC Country Restaurant
- Arby's
- A&W
- Baskin Robbins
- Booster Juice
- Boston Pizza
- COBS Bread
- DeDutch Pannekoek House
- Domino's Pizza
- Fatburger
- Home Restaurants
- Manchu Wok
- Mr. Mikes Steakhouse and Bar
- Pizza Pizza
- Red Robin
- Ricky's Family Restuarant
- Safeway
- Sodexo
- Subway
- Thrifty Foods Deli & Bakery
- Tim Hortons
- Wendy’s
- WrapZone
Chain food service establishments are required to resubmit their applications annually on or before September 30th.
*Participating chains must agree to the website posting clause in their application.
What are the Advantages of Participating in the Documentation Audit?
Once a Chain FSE has participated in the documentation audit and is deemed compliant with the BC Trans Fat Regulation, Environmental Health Officers will not conduct on-site trans fat inspections for all BC outlets. A percentage of sites will be audited to confirm compliance with findings shared with the corporate head office.
Once a Chain FSE has participated in the documentation audit and is deemed compliant with the BC Trans Fat Regulation, they are eligible to receive acknowledgement on the Restrict Trans Fat website. By including your company name, consumers will know that your food service establishment(s) meet trans fat regulatory requirements based on the audit performed. Please ensure you have agreed to the posting clause in the application form if you wish to be acknowledged.
What is the Process?
Participants are required to submit an electronic pdf of their ingredient and nutrition information in one of the following ways:
- Submit ingredient and nutrition information for all food items (exceptions are fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, raw meat, fish and poultry) and pre-packaged foods that are sold directly to the consumer and have an approved Nutrition Facts Table; or
- Submit ingredient and nutrition information for all food items that contain any of the following words in the ingredient list: hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, margarine or shortening.
Participants who choose option 2 warrant that they have thoroughly audited their ingredients and submitted all food items that contain any of the four key words (hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, margarine or shortening).
Once the documentation audit is complete, a letter from your local Health Authority or the BC Centre for Disease Control will be sent via email to the head office of the Chain FSE.
How do I Apply?
Fill in the application form (PDF 29K) and submit ingredient and nutrition information electronically to [email protected]. For files too large to send over email, mail a CD and printed application to:
Ministry of Health
Chronic Disease, Injury Prevention & the Built Environment
4-2, 1515 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 3C8
ATTN: Trans Fat Regulation
What is the Deadline?
Applications will be accepted until January 17, 2011.
Where do I go for More Information?
For more information on the Documentation Audit process, please call 8-1-1 and ask to speak to a Dietitian or contact [email protected]