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Da Zero Ristorante

1472 CATHEDRAL, HALIFAX · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

Da Zero Ristorante has been inspected 8 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since January 2, 2025. The most recent inspection, on May 28, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

2 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 10 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 5 separate inspections, most recently on April 28, 2026. 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;

  • 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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 9, 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.

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 28, 2026. For example: 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.

  • 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 once on May 28, 2026. For example: 27(f) A food establishment must develop and demonstrate policies and procedures for personnel that ensure that a person entering a food handling area or engaging in an operation in a food establishment who comes into contact with food meets all of the following: (f) the person refrains from any behaviour or practice that risks contaminating 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 once on January 2, 2025. 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;

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.

8 inspections

  1. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 27(f) A food establishment must develop and demonstrate policies and procedures for personnel that ensure that a person entering a food handling area or engaging in an operation in a food establishment who comes into contact with food meets all of the following: (f) the person refrains from any behaviour or practice that risks contaminating food.
      • In accordance with Section 5.6 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must: ensure Food Handlers who engage in activities which may result in the transfer of bacteria (e.g., sneezing, touching hair/ eyes/ mouth/ nose, etc.), wash their hands before resuming food service activities and food handling. b. ensure Food Handlers do not smoke while handling food, utensils, or food surfaces. c. prohibit smoking within food service establishment, except in designated areas and under conditions as noted in the NS Smoke-Free Places Act and Regulations 2002.
  2. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 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.
      • Address the ice build-up inside the walk-in freezer floor.
    • 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;
      • Ensure a regular cleaning plan is prepared and maintained to prevent build-ups.
  3. Inspection

    7 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.
      • Forward the most recent pest control report for review.
    • 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.
      • Address the rust and stains on the cast iron skillets used for service. Food service equipment must be easily cleanable, non absorbent, smooth and free of any possible source of contaminants.
    • 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.
      • Address the ice build-up inside the walk-in freezer floor.
    • 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 the can opener is cleaned and sanitized in between uses.
    • 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 sanitize the areas contaminated by pest droppings. Ensure a regular cleaning plan is prepared and maintained to prevent build-ups.
    • 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.
      • In accordance with Section 4.2.1(b) of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must identify all cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the Food Establishment and their concentrations.
    • 8(2) A permit or notification receipt must be posted in a conspicuous location in the food establishment.
      • A permit or notification receipt must be posted in a conspicuous location in the food establishment.
  4. Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 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 sanitize areas affected by rodent droppings.
  6. Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 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 sanitize areas affected by rodent droppings.
    • 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.
      • Bleach sanitizer in spray bottle measured 0 ppm chlorine. A fresh sanitizer solution measuring 100 ppm chlorine was prepared at the time of inspection. Bleach sanitizer loses its concentration with time so it is the best practice to prepare a fresh sanitizer solution everyday.
    • 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.
      • In accordance with Section 3.1.4 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must maintain records that demonstrate your Quality Assurance (Management) System, including the following: Temperature logs for all cooling equipment.
  7. Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Inspection

    6 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.
      • Observed rodent droppings on the floor and on some lower shelves. Clean and sanitize areas where rodent droppings are seen.
    • 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;
      • Observed no paper towels in the back hand wash station paper towel dispenser. Paper towels were placed in the dispenser at this time.
    • 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;
      • Observed gaps between the covers on the long, table top fridge units when the covers are closed. Gaps allow the cold air to escape which can lead to temperatures rising above 4C/40F. Seal off gaps to ensure cold air is not escaping when the covers are closed. Observed two covers on the long, table top fridge units not fully closing. Observed a gap between the unit and the bottom of the cover. Repair cover so it fully closes (no gaps).
    • 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.
      • QUAT sanitizer concentration was 0ppm when tested. A sanitizer solution of bleach and water was made during this time and the concentration was 100ppm.
    • 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.
      • Observed frozen hazardous foods being defrosted at room temperature. Frozen foods were placed under cold running water at this time.
    • 8(2) A permit must be posted in a conspicuous location in the food establishment.
      • Observed permit being posted in the kitchen. The permit must be posted in a conspicuous location for patrons to see. Post permit in a conspicuous location.

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