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Empire Seafood Restaurant

200 5951 No. 3 Rd, Richmond BC V6X 2E3 · Food Service Establishment 1

Official record from Vancouver Coastal →

Inspection summary

Empire Seafood Restaurant has been inspected 32 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since November 19, 2015. The most recent inspection, on August 27, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

6 of 32 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 10 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests 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.

  • 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 20 times across 15 separate inspections, most recently on February 18, 2026. For example: The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.

  • 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 15 times across 15 separate inspections, most recently on August 27, 2026. For example: The premises is free of pests.

  • 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 15 times across 11 separate inspections, most recently on September 11, 2025. For example: Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.

  • 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 12 times across 10 separate inspections, most recently on August 27, 2026. For example: Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.

  • 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 9 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on August 27, 2026. For example: Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.

About this data

These results come from Vancouver Coastal 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.

32 inspections

  1. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Employees are eating, drinking or using tobacco in food preparation, dishwashing and/or food storage areas.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
  2. Routine

    6 infractions

    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a hot holding temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
    • The premises is free of pests.
  3. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
  4. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution concentration is too low.
  5. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  6. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
  7. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • The premises is free of pests.
  8. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not thawed using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
  9. Routine

    1 infraction

    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
  10. Routine Follow-up

    3 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
  11. Routine

    6 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not thawed using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
  12. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  13. Routine

    6 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is in contact with corrosive or toxic materials.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
      • Wiping cloths are not clean, restricted in use and/or stored in approved sanitizing solution.
      • Mechanical dishwasher/glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
  14. Routine Follow-up

    2 infractions

    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • The premises is free of pests.
  15. Routine Follow-up

    4 infractions

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
    • The premises is free of pests.
  16. Routine

    7 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Mechanical dishwasher/glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • An accurate thermometer is not provided for temperature monitoring.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
  17. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  18. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
  19. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is not properly covered and protected from contamination.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  20. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  21. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
  22. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
  23. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present hold a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
  24. Routine

    7 infractions

    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present hold a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is stored in a manner that promotes cross contamination.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
      • An accurate thermometer is not provided for temperature monitoring.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • Employee hygiene is maintained.
      • Employees are eating, drinking or using tobacco in food preparation, dishwashing and/or food storage areas.
    • Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
      • Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
    • The premises is free of pests.
  25. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  26. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
  27. Routine

    6 infractions

    • Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is not properly covered and protected from contamination.
      • Food is not stored off of floor.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Wiping cloths are not clean, restricted in use and/or stored in approved sanitizing solution.
    • Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
      • Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
      • Premises is not protected from the entrance of pests.
      • Conditions on premises may lead to harbouring/breeding of pests.
  28. Routine Follow-up

    3 infractions

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
    • The premises is free of pests.
  29. Routine

    6 infractions

    • Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is stored in a manner that promotes cross contamination.
      • Food is not properly covered and protected from contamination.
      • Food is not stored off of floor.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • The premises is free of pests.
  30. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  31. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
  32. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
    • Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • The premises is free of pests.

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