One Toronto neighbourhood was recently targeted by an unusual prank that had restaurant owners scratching their heads and re-reading the fine print. 

In a post to the Birch Cliff Facebook community group, one local resident posted an image of a fake Health Canada warning posted outside of a food establishment in the neighbourhood. 

"I saw this taped on the outside of a food business in Cliffside (and let them know to pull it down) as I'm "thouroughly" certain that this is some sorta consumer revenge or prank," the post reads. 

"Bad graphic design, layout, spelling, all caps stuff. Usual amateur hour indicators. So local food establishments - keep an eye out - just in case...." 

The "Health Canada warning" posted outside a food establishment in Birch Cliff. Photo: supplied to blogTO.

The letter includes a "contamination warning" involving poultry, pork, beef, produce, dairy, and all sealed products. It also mentions a "contamination warning" involving the food establishment's water system. 

Although the letter looks alarming at first sight, many respondents were quick to point out the sign's many spelling errors and inconsistencies. 

"The absolutely abysmal grammar also gives it away," one person noted. 

"This is a complete fake!" another person wrote. 

"This is bad. A lot of people may note the sign and not read it," one other person pointed out. 

The letter is strangely signed by a United Nations political officer, the Government of Canada, Ontario, and City Hall.

"So glad United Nations got involved in food safety in Cliffside!" one commenter joked.

Others noted that they've seen similar signs involving water contamination posted throughout the neighbourhood. 

DineSafe is Toronto Public Health's official food safety program that inspects all establishments serving and preparing food, so if you run into one of these so-called "Health Canada warnings," make sure to double-check for spelling errors before writing the food establishment off completely.