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Black Sheep Restaurant

1496 LOWER WATER, HALIFAX · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

Black Sheep Restaurant has been inspected 6 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since July 24, 2024. The most recent inspection, on August 18, 2025, found no infractions.

2 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • 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 6 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 8, 2024. For example: 23(2)(a) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (a) achieve the required food temperature as rapidly as is necessary to maintain food safety; and

  • 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 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 12, 2025. For example: 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 8, 2024. For example: 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;

  • 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 August 8, 2024. For example: 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 8, 2024. For example: 35(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must have a quality assurance system in place that identifies, implements, monitors and verifies critical factors in the processing and preparation of food and that effectively prevents contamination or adulteration of food and ensures food safety.

About this data

These results come from Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program), 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.

6 inspections

  1. Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Cleaning required in hard to reach areas throughout kitchen.
  3. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Clean and disinfect all areas affected by rodent droppings.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Ensure a food-grade sanitizer is readily available at all times in each food prep area.
  4. Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Paper towel dispenser required at the bar hand wash sink. Dispensers protect paper towel from contamination and allow for proper hand washing practices.
    • 23(2)(a) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (a) achieve the required food temperature as rapidly as is necessary to maintain food safety; and
      • Ambient air temperature of the green door prep cooler measured 10.0 degrees Celsius. Discontinue use of this cooler for storage of potentially hazardous food. Containers of food observed sitting in ice for the busy period. Use ice storage method only during busy periods and then return food to a functioning refrigerator; ice must be surrounding food containers. Refrigeration temperatures must measure 4 degrees Celsius or below.
    • 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
      • Ambient air temperature of the secondary line cooler measured 9.8 degrees Celsius. Potentially hazardous food not stored on ice for the busy period and was discarded at time of inspection. Refrigeration temperatures must measured 4 degrees Celsius or below.
    • 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
      • Large line cooler measured an ambient air temperature of 10.3 degrees Celsius. Discontinue use of this cooler for storage of potentially hazardous food. Containers of food observed stored in ice for the busy period. Refrigeration temperatures must measure 4 degrees Celsius or below.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Mold build-up observed on interior surfaces of the ice machine. Discard ice. Clean and sanitize the ice machine according to the manufacturers instructions.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Rodent droppings observed on the floor under the dish throughway, on the floor behind the ice machine, and on the floor next to the upright dessert freezer. Clean and sanitize areas affected by rodent droppings.
    • 35(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must have a quality assurance system in place that identifies, implements, monitors and verifies critical factors in the processing and preparation of food and that effectively prevents contamination or adulteration of food and ensures food safety.
      • Beef Kitfo (Ethiopian tartare) is offered as a menu item in the food establishment. In accordance with Section 3.1.3 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, your Quality Assurance (Management) system must: i. identify critical control points in the production and processing of menu items with potentially hazardous ingredients (including raw ingredients) that have the potential to contaminate food; ii. include critical limits for each critical control point; iii. identify procedures to regularly monitor critical control points on the critical limits; iv. include corrective actions and procedures to follow when deviations from critical limits occur; and v. record all exceptions to the procedures/specifications that impact food safety.
  6. Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Paper towel dispenser required at the bar hand wash sink. Dispensers protect paper towel from contamination and allow for proper hand washing practices.
    • 23(2)(a) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (a) achieve the required food temperature as rapidly as is necessary to maintain food safety; and
      • Ambient air temperature of the green door prep cooler measured 11.3 degrees Celsius. Discontinue use of this cooler for storage of potentially hazardous food. Containers of food observed sitting on ice. Use ice storage method only during busy periods and then return food to a functioning refrigerator; ice must be surrounding food containers. Refrigeration temperatures must measure 4 degrees Celsius or below.
    • 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
      • Ambient air temperature of the secondary line cooler measured 10 degrees Celsius; monitor the ambient air temperature within the next hour and if the temperature does not return to 4 degrees Celsius or below, potentially hazardous food containers must be surround by ice during service and returned to a functioning refrigerator afterwards. Refrigeration temperatures must measured 4 degrees Celsius or below.
    • 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
      • Large line cooler measured an ambient air temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. Discontinue use of this cooler for storage of potentially hazardous food. Containers of food observed sitting on ice. Use ice storage method only during busy periods and then return food to a functioning refrigerator; ice must be surrounding food containers. Refrigeration temperatures must measure 4 degrees Celsius or below.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Mold build-up observed on interior surfaces of the ice machine. Discard ice. Clean and sanitize the ice machine according to the manufacturers instructions.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Rodent droppings observed on the floor under the dish throughway, under the secondary line cooler, on the floor behind the ice machine, and on the floor next to the upright dessert freezer. Clean and sanitize areas affected by rodent droppings.
    • 35(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must have a quality assurance system in place that identifies, implements, monitors and verifies critical factors in the processing and preparation of food and that effectively prevents contamination or adulteration of food and ensures food safety.
      • Beef Kitfo (Ethiopian tartare) is offered as a menu item in the food establishment. In accordance with Section 3.1.3 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, your Quality Assurance (Management) system must: i. identify critical control points in the production and processing of menu items with potentially hazardous ingredients (including raw ingredients) that have the potential to contaminate food; ii. include critical limits for each critical control point; iii. identify procedures to regularly monitor critical control points on the critical limits; iv. include corrective actions and procedures to follow when deviations from critical limits occur; and v. record all exceptions to the procedures/specifications that impact food safety.

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