Be Fresh Market - W 1st
1900 W 1st Ave, Vancouver BC V6J 1G6 · Food Service Establishment 1
Inspection summary
Be Fresh Market - W 1st has been inspected 23 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since August 20, 2015. The most recent inspection, on October 31, 2025, found no infractions.
6 of 23 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Pests.
Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded 13 times across 12 separate inspections, most recently on February 21, 2025. For example:
All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.
Recorded 7 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on November 18, 2022. For example:
Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
PestsHigher risk
Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.
Recorded 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on October 24, 2025. For example:
The premises is free of pests.
Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk
This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.
Recorded 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 19, 2019. For example:
Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk
Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.
Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 10, 2024. For example:
Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
About this data
These results come from Vancouver Coastal Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
23 inspections
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
1 infraction
- The premises is free of pests.
- Routine
1 infraction
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Sanitizing solution concentration is too low.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Routine
3 infractions
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Mechanical dishwasher/glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
- Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Premises has signs of rodent activity.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Routine Follow-up
2 infractions
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine
5 infractions
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
- Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine
0 infractions
- Routine
2 infractions
- The Permit to Operate a food service establishment is valid and is posted in a conspicuous location.
- Permit to Operate is not posted in a conspicuous location.
- Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
- The Permit to Operate a food service establishment is valid and is posted in a conspicuous location.
- Request
10 infractions
- COVID-19 Safety Plan developed and in use
- COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patron count
- Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises has been determined
- Maximum number of patrons allows for 2m separation between patrons of different parties at all times
- 2m separation maintained between patrons of different parties, except when partition in place
- Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
- Maximum of 6 patrons per table
- Operator assessed their premises and taken steps to prevent congregation of patrons near or outside their premises
- Physical devices or markers are used to assist patrons in maintaining physical distance
- Self-service areas equipped with hand washing or alcohol-based sanitizer in easy reach
- Routine Follow-up
4 infractions
- Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
- An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
- Food safety plan is not maintained to reflect the current menu.
- A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- Sanitation plan is not developed.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Premises is not protected from the entrance of pests.
- Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Routine
7 infractions
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is not protected from customer contamination. (e.g. sneeze guards).
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Mechanical dishwasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
- Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
- An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
- A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Premises is not protected from the entrance of pests.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Routine
2 infractions
- Contaminated food is not stored, displayed or offered for sale.
- Food is unfit for human consumption.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Contaminated food is not stored, displayed or offered for sale.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
3 infractions
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
- Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Routine
3 infractions
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine Follow-up
1 infraction
- Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine
3 infractions
- Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Premises is not in good repair.
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine Follow-up
4 infractions
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Routine
5 infractions
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- No employee present hold a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Premises is not protected from the entrance of pests.
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
2 infractions
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Mechanical dishwasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
- A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
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