Toronto/GTA Fabrication for Food Safety Week: Case Studies & Tips

Food Safety Week is a critical time for Toronto and GTA food businesses to review the infrastructure that supports their operations—from production lines to serving counters. Metal fabrication plays a vital role in maintaining compliance and safety, and local shops like Phil Bouchard & Sons are at the forefront. This article reviews recent case studies and expert tips for choosing fabrication partners to help you pass inspections year-round.

Meeting Food Safety Standards: Why Toronto Expertise Matters

Ontario food businesses are held to stringent standards from agencies like the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada, and municipal bodies. Toronto-area fabricators with hands-on experience in the food sector are well-versed in these requirements, providing:

• Sanitary design that minimizes harborage and is easy to clean
• Use of food-grade stainless steel and specialized finishing (e.g., passivation)
• Expertise in welding processes (like TIG) that help avoid contamination
• Traceability and full material certifications (CSA, CWB, ISO)

Case Study: Stainless Steel Assembly for Food Processing Facility

Challenge: A Toronto-based meat processor needed new conveyance and packaging platforms that would comply with both CFIA regulations and rigorous internal sanitation protocols. Existing equipment was difficult to clean, increasing inspection failure risk.

Solution: Phil Bouchard & Sons designed and fabricated custom stainless assemblies with:

• Seamless TIG welding
• Radius corners and fully polished joints
• Removable components for routine deep cleaning
• Documented weld procedures and food-contact surface certifications

Outcome: The upgraded line resulted in noticeably faster washdowns, consistent CFIA compliance, and improved operational uptime—key for batch processing facilities.

Inspections: How Fabrication Quality Is Audited

Food safety inspections focus on both the materials and the construction of equipment and infrastructure. Inspectors commonly evaluate:

• Absence of pits, crevices, and sharp edges that can trap food debris
• Material finishes that are resistant to chemical cleaners
• Evidence of proper weld technique (no cracks, inclusions, or overlaps)
• Access points for thorough cleaning

Fabricators in the GTA who specialize in food sector projects document procedures, including NDT (non-destructive testing) and compliance logs, which are invaluable during audits.

Case Study: Emergency Repair in a Toronto Commercial Kitchen

Situation: A downtown Toronto restaurant experienced a failure in a custom stainless workstation days before a major city health inspection.

Response: The emergency welding team from Phil Bouchard & Sons mobilized with portable TIG/MIG equipment, performed on-site diagnostic, and carried out a food-safe weld repair—finishing with passivation to ensure no contamination risk.

Result: The restaurant passed its inspection on time, with documented proof of corrective action and material traceability provided to auditors.

Top Tips: Choosing the Right Food-Sector Metal Fabricator

• Ensure your fabricator holds certifications relevant to food service work (CSA, CWB, ISO 9001)
• Insist on documented weld procedures and traceable material certificates
• Review past project experience in food service and food processing sectors
• Ask how the shop manages surface finishing and passivation for stainless projects
• Prioritize local shops with rapid response capabilities for urgent repairs and upgrades

For a full overview of our capabilities servicing the food sector, visit our Food Services page.

Get Ready for Your Next Inspection—Book a Consultation

Don’t leave food safety compliance to chance. Whether you need a one-off stainless repair or a ground-up custom assembly, Phil Bouchard & Sons offers industry-leading fabrication for food business leaders across Toronto and the GTA. Contact us today to request a quote or discuss your next Food Safety Week upgrade.