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Best Falafel - W 4th

1859 W 4th Ave, Vancouver BC V6J 1M4 · Food Service Establishment 1

Official record from Vancouver Coastal →

Inspection summary

Best Falafel - W 4th has been inspected 15 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since January 31, 2019. The most recent inspection, on October 15, 2026, found no infractions.

5 of 15 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Chemicals and toxic substances and Food temperature control.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on October 11, 2023. For example: All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 7, 2026. For example: Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 11, 2023. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 22, 2022. For example: The premises is free of pests.

  • 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 once on November 22, 2022. 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.

15 inspections

  1. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  2. Routine

    1 infraction

    • Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.
      • Non-food containers are not clearly labelled to identify contents.
  3. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  4. Routine

    1 infraction

    • Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.
      • Non-food containers are not clearly labelled to identify contents.
  5. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  6. Routine

    1 infraction

    • Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.
  7. Routine

    0 infractions

  8. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  9. Routine

    2 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.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
  10. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Employees are eating, drinking or using tobacco in food preparation, dishwashing and/or food storage areas.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  11. 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 is not present or at an improper concentration.
  12. 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.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
    • 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.
      • 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.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
  13. 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.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained in a manner that prevents contamination.
  14. Routine

    7 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is cooked/reheated in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooked thoroughly and to appropriate internal temperature.
    • 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.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Employees are not washing hands as often as is necessary to prevent contamination of food.
    • 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 developed.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitation plan is not developed.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises is not protected from the entrance of pests.
  15. Routine

    1 infraction

    • 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.

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