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Early Bird

2 Merritt St, St. Catharines ON L2T 1J3 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Early Bird has been inspected 10 times by Niagara Region Public Health since November 4, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 3, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

2 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food temperature control and Protecting food from contamination.

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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 12, 2026. For example: Premises is protected from harbouring and/or breeding of 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 across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 24, 2025. For example: Cold holding is adequate and maintained at 4°C (40°F) or lower.

  • 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 October 3, 2026. For example: Food is protected from potential contamination

  • 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 18, 2026. For example: Proper sanitizer test kit is readily available for verifying concentrations of chemical sanitizers.

  • 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 August 12, 2026. For example: Inspection Results Signage posted and clearly visible in a conspicuous location.

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.

10 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Food is protected from potential contamination
    • Food contact equipment, utensils and service articles are maintained in good repair and are of sound and tight construction.
  2. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Inspection Results Signage posted and clearly visible in a conspicuous location.
    • Premises is protected from harbouring and/or breeding of pests.
    • Food is protected from potential contamination
  3. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Proper sanitizer test kit is readily available for verifying concentrations of chemical sanitizers.
  4. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Cold holding is adequate and maintained at 4°C (40°F) or lower.
  5. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  6. On Demand

    2 infractions

    • Premise is protected against the entrance of pests and kept free from conditions that lead to harbouring or breeding of pests.
    • Records are retained on premise.
  7. On Demand

    2 infractions

    • Premise is protected against the entrance of pests and kept free from conditions that lead to harbouring or breeding of pests.
    • Records are retained on premise.
  8. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Hot holding is adequate and maintained at 60°C (140°F) or higher.
  9. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Hot holding is adequate and maintained at 60°C (140°F) or higher.
    • Utensils are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
  10. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

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