Dill Pickles Sandwich Bar & Cafe
250 BAKER, DARTMOUTH · Food Establishment
Inspection summary
Dill Pickles Sandwich Bar & Cafe has been inspected 5 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since March 1, 2024. The most recent inspection, on March 20, 2026, found no infractions.
2 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 5, 2026. 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;
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 March 20, 2024. 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 once on March 5, 2026. For example:
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.
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 once on March 1, 2024. For example:
19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
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 1, 2024. For example:
23(1)(a) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (a) protect food from contamination;
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
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
3 infractions
- 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.
- Ensure at least one staff member on-site has an up-to-date, approved Food Handling course.
- 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;
- In accordance with Section 4.2.2 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure non-food contact surfaces of equipment must be cleaned at a frequency that will prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Cleaning required in back of kitchen (i.e. droppings and debris) under counters in hard to reach areas. Ensure miscellaneous items not being used by the facility are removed to prevent harbourage for pests.
- 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.
- In accordance with Section 3.3.3 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must store potentially hazardous foods at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius or less. Walk-in cooler at room temperature. Potentially hazardous foods discarded at time of inspection. Ensure the walk in cooler is repaired and maintains 4C or lower to prevent pathogenic growth. All potentially hazardous foods must be stored in other units until repairs are made.
- 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.
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
1 infraction
- 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. Thoroughly clean areas where rodent droppings are seen and discard dead mouse.
- 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.
- Inspection
5 infractions
- 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
- Observed debris on the floor in the walk-in fridge and behind the deep freezer. Clean floors.
- 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 and a dead mouse. Thoroughly clean areas where rodent droppings are seen and discard dead mouse.
- 23(1)(a) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to
(a) protect food from contamination;
- Observed food to be stored on the floor in the walk-in fridge. Store food at least 15cm off the floor in the walk-in fridge.
- 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.
- Observed lid to deep freezer to be broke. Repair lid so it easy to be maintained in good standing or replace freezer.
- 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.
- Observed no sanitizer was prepared. Operator prepared sanitizer at this time.
- 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
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