Dairy Queen
415 Merritt St, St. Catharines ON L2P 1P2 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
Dairy Queen has been inspected 5 times by Niagara Region Public Health since February 24, 2025. The most recent inspection, on July 27, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.
None of the 5 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control and Protecting food from contamination.
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.
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 13, 2025. For example:
Hot holding is adequate and maintained at 60°C (140°F) or higher.
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 March 11, 2026. For example:
Washrooms are provided, properly equipped, in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner.
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.
Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 27, 2026. For example:
Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
Permits, records and postingLower risk
Operating permits, required signage, written procedures and logs. These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.
Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 27, 2026. For example:
Inspection Results Signage posted and clearly visible in a conspicuous location.
Food safety training and certificationLower risk
Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 27, 2026. For example:
Certified food handler or supervisor is on site during all operating hours.
About this data
These results come from Niagara Region Public 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.
5 inspections
- Routine Inspection
4 infractions
- Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Certified food handler or supervisor is on site during all operating hours.
- Inspection Results Signage posted and clearly visible in a conspicuous location.
- Floors, walls and ceilings are kept clean and are in good repair.
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- Floors, walls and ceiling are well maintained and in good repair.
- Washrooms are provided, properly equipped, in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner.
- Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- An adequate number of handwashing stations are maintained and kept adequately supplied and are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- Hot holding is adequate and maintained at 60°C (140°F) or higher.
- Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Re-inspection
1 infraction
- Records are retained on premise.
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- Food contact equipment, utensils and multi service articles are maintained in good repair and of sound and tight construction.
- Cold holding is adequate and maintained at 4°C (40°F) or lower.
- Records are retained on premise.
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