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BRASS RAIL RESTAURANT

978 COLE HARBOUR, COLE HARBOUR · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

BRASS RAIL RESTAURANT has been inspected 5 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since October 1, 2024. The most recent inspection, on September 24, 2026, recorded 15 infractions.

1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 16 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Food temperature control.

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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 24, 2026. For example: 23(1)(b) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (b) allow adequate cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance.

  • 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 3 times on September 24, 2026. For example: 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.

  • 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 on September 24, 2026. For example: 19(3) A food establishment must have lighting, ventilation, heating, refrigeration and plumbing that is appropriate to the specific activities of the food establishment and that is considered acceptable by the Minister.

  • 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 September 24, 2026. 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;

  • 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 on September 24, 2026. For example: 29(1) An operator of a food establishment must have a maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program in place to control the risk of contamination of food, equipment, utensils and other facilities in the food establishment.

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.

5 inspections

  1. Inspection

    15 infractions

    • 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
      • Employ a professional pest control company to provide routine pest control services. Provide proof of the contract to the Public Health Inspector.
    • 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
      • Fill holes/gaps in the ceiling around cables/pipes to prevent the entry and movement of pests. Keep the back receiving door closed when not in active use for receiving. Repair the bottom of the receiving door so that there is no gap.
    • 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;
      • Stock paper towel in the dispenser at the hand wash sink in the kitchen.
    • 19(3) A food establishment must have lighting, ventilation, heating, refrigeration and plumbing that is appropriate to the specific activities of the food establishment and that is considered acceptable by the Minister.
      • Install a grease trap at the three-compartment sink/low-temperature dish washer.
    • 23(1)(b) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (b) allow adequate cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance.
      • Replace damaged/soiled gaskets on the cold top prep cooler.
    • 28(2) If an operator is absent from a food establishment, the operator must ensure that a member of the personnel who has successfully completed a food hygiene training program is present.
      • At least one food handler with valid food hygiene training must be onsite during operating hours.
    • 29(1) An operator of a food establishment must have a maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program in place to control the risk of contamination of food, equipment, utensils and other facilities in the food establishment.
      • Manual Dishwashing/Clean-In-Place Equipment: a. Where manual dishwashing procedures are used for cleaning and sanitizing, the manual dishwashing equipment must include the following: i. a three-compartment sink of non-corrodible metal of sufficient size to permit complete immersion of the utensils to be sanitized, or as determined by the regulatory authority ii. draining boards (if they are to be provided) of non-corrodible and non- absorbent material iii. a thermometer capable of measuring temperatures between 0°C and 100°C (32°F and 212°F) iv. testing equipment to determine the strength of any chemical used as the sanitizing agent b. When relying on the manual method for washing and sanitizing, the operator shall use the following procedure. Dishes must be: i. thoroughly scraped clean of gross foreign materials and food scraps; ii. washed in the first compartment sink in detergent solution capable of removing grease and food particles, and that is maintained at a temperature of not less than 45°C (113°F); iii. rinsed in the second compartment sink in clean potable water maintained at a temperature of not less than 45°C (113° F); iv. sanitized in the third compartment sink by immersion in one of the following methods: ° for at least two minutes in a chlorine solution of 100 to 200 mg/L available chlorine at a temperature of not less than 45°C (113°F) v. air-dried, if possible
    • 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 sanitize the deli slicer to remove old debris build-up.
    • 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 sanitize the following areas to remove grease/debris build-up: on the floor under the cookline.
    • 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;
      • Clean and sanitizer the following areas affected by rodent droppings/urine: at floor/wall junctions throughout the kitchen/storage areas/staff washroom/dining room, on the storage shelves in the server station, on the black storage shelving unit, on the storage shelves under the prep table/cold top prep cooler, on the storage shelves under the hot holding unit, and on the storage shelves below the prep table near the dish pit. Black storage shelving unit, storage shelves under the prep table/cold top prep cooler, and below the prep table were cleaned and sanitized at time of inspection.
    • 33(1) An operator must ensure that the temperature of food is controlled so that the food does not deteriorate or become inedible or unsafe.
      • Thawing: a. Potentially hazardous foods must be thawed quickly or in a manner that will prevent the rapid growth of foodborne pathogens. b. Food may be thawed under the following conditions: i. under refrigeration at 4°C (40°F) or less ii. completely submerged with its original sealed packaging or in a hermetically sealed container in cold potable water which should be changed every 30 minutes, or under running cold tap water iii. as part of the cooking process (but only when thawing is taken into consideration in determining cooking time) iv. by microwaving and immediately transferring to conventional cooking equipment with no interruption in the process c. When thawing foods using methods where the thawed portions of the potentially hazardous foods are above 4°C (40°F), the time period above 4°C (40°F), including the time for cooking preparation, or the time required to cool the potentially hazardous foods to below 4°C (40°F), shall not exceed four hours. d. The only exception to the above procedures and temperature requirement is the thawing of frozen ready-to-eat seafood, which shall be maintained at 3.3°C (38°F) or less during thawing.
    • 33(2) The operator must ensure that all refrigeration and heat-holding equipment has a temperature measuring device that is accurate and in good repair.
      • Obtain a probe thermometer with the ability to measure hot and cold internal temperatures of food.
    • 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.
      • Store food and food contact packaging in a sanitary manner to protect from contamination. Store food off the floor. Remove food contact packaging from the storage area outside the customer washrooms.
    • 82(1) No person shall operate a food establishment, unless exempted by an administrator, without first having obtained a permit from an administrator.
      • Renew Food Establishment Permit that expired on November 4th, 2025 within the next 5 business days.
    • 82(1) No person shall operate a food establishment, unless exempted by an administrator, without first having obtained a permit from an administrator.
      • Renew Food Establishment Permit that expired on November 4th, 2025 within the next 5 business days.
  2. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 9(a) An operator must renew a permit, other than a temporary permit, on or before the expiry date by submitting a completed renewal application to the Minister on a form approved by the Administrator together with all of the following: (a) the applicable fee prescribed in Section 5;
      • Renew Eating Establishment Permit.
  3. 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;
      • Ensure a food-grade sanitizer is available for sanitizing food-contact surfaces.
  4. Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Inspection

    2 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;
      • Hand sink was not equipped with paper towel. Paper towel dispenser was restocked during inspection.
    • 9(a) An operator must renew a permit, other than a temporary permit, on or before the expiry date by submitting a completed renewal application to the Minister on a form approved by the Administrator together with all of the following: (a) the applicable fee prescribed in Section 5;
      • Food establishment permit expired March 6, 2024. Renew permit within next 5 business days.

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