Food premises inspections

Food premises licensed under the Public Health Act are subject to routine inspection by Public Health and agri-food inspectors. Results are posted online for the public to view.

The frequency of inspections depends on risk-based criteria, including the types of food served or processed, handling methods, staff training, history of compliance and establishment maintenance and management. Operators may expect one to three annual routine inspections and do not receive advance notice. 

Violations of the regulations (publication) usually result in follow-up inspections to verify compliance. An operator’s licence may be revoked if the violation poses an immediate risk to public health.

Copies of the reports and inspection results are posted online in the language used during the inspection. A colour-coded rating system is used to display results:

Green: High standard of compliance with no more than five minor violations.

Light yellow: General compliance with six to nine minor violations.

Dark yellow: General compliance with no more than three major violations.

Striped red: Corrections are required with one or more critical violations and/or four or more major violations and/or 10 or more minor violations.

Red: Licence has been revoked for non-compliance.