There is a little less taste to explore in Regina after the shut down of the newcomers market.

The market, hosted about four times a year by the Westminster United Church, saw tables set up for people who were new to Canada to sell food from their countries. As many as 19 countries had been represented at previous markets.

Now the Saskatchewan Health Authority has stepped in and raised concerns after a complaint was made, according to Rev. Darrell Reine.

"We were contacted by the health department because a complaint had been made to them about the market that people weren't cooking in certified kitchens," he said.

The SHA says on its website that it treats any food sales the same way it does food trucks and restaurants, in that sellers have to adhere to regulations which require water supplies, temperature control and aspects which are monitored by inspectors. They must also face regular inspection and have a licence to operate.

"What we were doing is setting up tables of food, a few extra tables for people to come and buy the food and eat it right there, and then they could go and buy more to take home," Reine explained.

Although the newcomers market mostly sold food, arts and crafts from around the world were also sold. (Westminster United Church/Facebook)

The church hadn't received any complaints about people contracting an illness from the food in the time it was offered, he said.

Reine said that if the people serving food at the newcomers market wanted to do the same at the farmers market, there would be less than a dozen who would actually be able to meet the regulations.

Food prepared without the use of eggs or custard would not have to be prepared in a certified kitchen, for example.

The Regina Farmers' Market said on Twitter it had contacted the SHA about the newcomer market but that there had been no intention to shut it down. Rather, the government's regulations and red tape made it more difficult for those newcomers to sell their own food at the farmers market.

(6/9)Unfortunately at this time there are very conservative regulations related to selling most foods prepared in a home kitchen, as well as all ready-to-eat prepared foods. —@MarketRegina

(7/9)This means that unless a person has their own restaurant or food truck, there is very little opportunity to sell prepared food in Saskatchewan. —@MarketRegina

The health authority said it is responsible for enforcing food safety regulations and standards, and that in the case of community markets, there are guidelines to address food safety.

After it received a complaint regarding the Newcomer's Market, inspectors met with market organizers in April to discuss the market and food safety.

"As a result of this meeting the church decided to discontinue the market. There was no closure action taken by the SHA," the statement from the health authority said.

"The SHA would be happy to have further discussions with the market organizers to find a solution that enables the markets to continue and ensures food safety."