OkotoksOnline/Harrison O'Nyons
The Saskatoon Farm's restaurant reopened today (Aug. 18).
The business’s food facilities had been closed for nearly a month under an Alberta Health Services (AHS) order following an outbreak of E. coli and amoebiasis.
AHS issued the closures on July 23, later stating that the farm’s water source was believed to be the cause of the outbreak.
The order was rescinded on Friday, Aug. 15. The Saskatoon Farm announced on Facebook that its food facilities would be reopened in stages.
The bakery reopened on Aug. 16, the restaurant followed today, and the Red House is set to reopen once it has been restocked.
"Our current water supply has been thoroughly inspected, professionally cleaned, and subsequently approved by AHS’s water specialist team to ensure that their standards are being met," reads a Facebook post from the Saskatoon Farm. "AHS is satisfied with the measures that we have taken with our water system and cleaning protocols, and as such, they are allowing us to reopen."
According to the farm, all water used for handwashing, cooking, and food preparation is taken from a potable source approved by AHS.
AHS is requiring the farm to serve bagged ice for the time being. The business has also opted to limit drinks to canned beverages and bottled water.
"Thank you for your patience, understanding, and steadfast support during this time," the business stated. "We feel for everyone who has been affected by this challenging situation, including both our guests and our staff members."
AHS still recommends that anyone who ate or drank at the farm's food facilities between July 1 and 18 complete stool testing, even if they aren't experiencing symptoms. A list of locations to pick up a testing kit can be seen on the AHS website.