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El Santo

680 Columbia St, New Westminster · Restaurant

Official record from Fraser Health →

Inspection summary

El Santo has been inspected 13 times by Fraser Health Authority since April 23, 2018. The most recent inspection, on March 4, 2026, found no infractions.

5 of 13 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination 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.

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on March 20, 2024. For example: 302 - Equipment/utensils/food contact surfaces not properly washed and sanitized [s. 17(2)]

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 11, 2023. For example: 209 - Food not protected from contamination [s. 12(a)]

  • 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 August 11, 2023. For example: 205 - Cold potentially hazardous food stored/displayed above 4 °C. [s. 14(2)]

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2025. For example: 306 - Food premises not maintained in a sanitary condition [s. 17(1)]

About this data

These results come from Fraser Health Authority, 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.

13 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 306 - Food premises not maintained in a sanitary condition [s. 17(1)]
      • Observation: Some food, grease, debris noted in hard to reach areas. For example walls behind shelving and prep line, ceiling tiles, walls of dishwasher area, etc.
      • Corrective Action(s): More attention to cleaning in hard to reach areas required. Continue to follow your sanitation plan.
      • Violation Score: 3
      • 308 - Equipment/utensils/food contact surfaces are not in good working order [s. 16(b)]
      • Observation: Prep cooler located at the end of the line @ 10C.
      • Corrective Action(s): 1) Repair / replace cooler.
      • 2) Cold potentially hazardous food items held at temperatures greater than 4C for more than 4 hours must be discarded.
      • 3) CXold potentially hazardious food items may not be held on ice inside of cooler for longterm.
      • Violation Score: 9
  3. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 302 - Equipment/utensils/food contact surfaces not properly washed and sanitized [s. 17(2)]
      • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): - Spray bottle of QUAT sanitizer measure at 0ppm.
      • Corrective Action(s): Dispenser of QUAT sanitizer checked and measure 200ppm.
      • Got staff to refresh all the sanitizer spray bottles.
      • Please ensure spray bottles are refreshed daily.
      • Please routinely check QUAT sanitizer concentration with test strip.
      • Violation Score: 15
  6. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 205 - Cold potentially hazardous food stored/displayed above 4 °C. [s. 14(2)]
      • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Main prep cooler measured to be at 14C.
      • Corrective Action(s): All ingredients prepared during break time 1 hour ago. Operator relocated all inserts and food items in the cooler to a working cooler at the time of inspection.
      • Violation Score: 5
    • 209 - Food not protected from contamination [s. 12(a)]
      • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): 1) Eggs observed to be stored on middle shelf in walk in cooler above ready to eat items.
      • 2) Ice scoop stored in a container that has mildrew.
      • Corrective Action(s): 1) Operator relocated eggs too bottom shelf. Eggs are considered raw protein, ensure to keep it on the bottoms shelf.
      • 2) Ice scoop and container cleaned and sanitized in the dishwasher.
      • Violation Score: 3
      • 308 - Equipment/utensils/food contact surfaces are not in good working order [s. 16(b)]
      • Observation: Main prep cooler measured to be at 14C.
      • Corrective Action(s): DO NOT USE COOLER until it has been repair/replaced so that it is able to produce 4C or lower at all times. Ensure to update your temperature logs on an DAILY basis.
      • Date To Be Corrected: Aug 17th
      • Violation Score: 9
      • 311 - Premises not maintained as per approved plans [s. 6(1)(b)]
      • Observation: Tile missing above dish pit area
      • Corrective Action(s): Ensure to replace/repair tile.
      • Date To Be Corrected: Immediately
      • Violation Score: 1
  7. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 301 - Equipment/utensils/food contact surfaces not maintained in sanitary condition [s. 17(1)]
      • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): REPEAT OBSERVATION 2 issues:
      • -ice machine well found to have mildew growth
      • -deli slicer found to have food debris in the sharpener housing
      • Corrective Action(s): discard all the ice and clean and sanitize the ice well. ensure that this is cleaned on a more frequent basis.
      • deli slicer must be fully disassembled and cleaned immediately after use
      • Violation Score: 5
    • 306 - Food premises not maintained in a sanitary condition [s. 17(1)]
      • Observation: Food debris build up noted in the following areas;
      • -around the tortilla machine (inside the feeder section of the machine and underneath)
      • -on the wall around the kitchen printer
      • -along the walls in the dish pit
      • Corrective Action(s): clean the above noted areas on a more frequent basis.
      • Violation Score: 3
  8. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 301 - Equipment/utensils/food contact surfaces not maintained in sanitary condition [s. 17(1)]
      • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): 2 issues:
      • -ice machine well found to have mildew growth
      • -deli slicer found to have food debris in sharpener housing
      • Corrective Action(s): discard all the ice and clean and sanitize the machine. ensure that this is cleaned on a more frequent basis
      • deli slicer must be fully disassembled and cleaned immediately after use
      • Violation Score: 15
  9. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  10. Follow-Up Inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 201 - Food contaminated or unfit for human consumption [s. 13]
      • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Ice machine's ice well contaminated with mildew
      • Corrective Action(s): discard ice or use only for non-consumption purposes.
      • Obtain ice from a store until the machine has been fully emptied, cleaned, and sanitized
      • Violation Score: 5
      • 205 - Cold potentially hazardous food stored/displayed above 4 °C. [s. 14(2)]
      • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): 2 issues;
      • -3 door prep cooler found to be holding contents at 15C
      • -walk-in cooler measured 6 degrees C
      • Corrective Action(s): do not use the prep cooler until it has been repaired. operator discarded potentially hazardous foods stored >2 hours
      • walk-in cooler must be repaired as well.
      • Violation Score: 15
    • 308 - Equipment/utensils/food contact surfaces are not in good working order [s. 16(b)]
      • Observation: 3 door prep cooler as well as walk-in cooler unable to maintain contents <4C
      • Corrective Action(s): do not use the prep cooler for storage of potentially hazardous foods.
      • Repair both cooler units immediately. all cooler units must be able to maintain contents <4 degrees C at all times.
      • Violation Score: 9
      • 309 - Chemicals, cleansers, & similar agents stored or labeled improperly [s. 27]
      • Observation: Bar and kitchen utensils in use stored in sanitizer solution.
      • Corrective Action(s): do not store tools in sanitizer. ice water or hot water >60C only
      • Violation Score: 3
  12. Follow-Up Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 307 - Equipment/utensils/food contact surfaces are not of suitable design/material [s. 16; s. 19]
      • Observation: Inserts for prep cooler damaged so that white powder is precipitating off of the containers
      • Corrective Action(s): Required operator to line the inserts with saran wrap as a temporary measure until permanent replacement are ordered.
      • Date to be corrected by: May.25.2018
      • Violation Score: 3
  13. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 209 - Food not protected from contamination [s. 12(a)]
      • Observation: 1. Refer to Code #307; plastic insert containers are producing white powder as they go through dishwasher which can be transferred to food.
      • 2. Food items in the stand-up freezer and walk-in cooler stacked directly on top of other food.
      • Corrective Action(s): 1. All food items in the damaged inserts are to be discarded. Operator discarded all food on site and removed the inserts.
      • 2. All food items to be stored must be covered to prevent external contamination. Provide covers for all food for any type of storage. Food items when being stacked for storage must not come in direct contact with food items in other containers.
      • Date to be corrected by: April 25th.2018
      • Violation Score: 9
      • 306 - Food premises not maintained in a sanitary condition [s. 17(1)]
      • Observation: Observed accumulation of grease, food debris and flour-like poweder build up throughout the main kitchen. Operator has a private cleaning service contracted who visits everynight after close for cleaning.
      • Corrective Action(s): Required operator to clean all areas in the kitchen to remove all grease and food debris build up.
      • Date to be corrected by: April 25th 2018
      • Violation Score: 9
      • 307 - Equipment/utensils/food contact surfaces are not of suitable design/material [s. 16; s. 19]
      • Observation: Observed numerous plastic inserts being used to be damaged such that chemicals lining the plastic is precipitating out.
      • Corrective Action(s): Required to operator to remove the plastic inserts and use stainless steel inserts instead. For those that do not fit into the cooler, use seran wrap to cover the inserts until a new one can be ordered as a TEMPORARY MEASURE.
      • Violation Score: 9

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