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Essence of India Restaurant

40367 Tantalus Way, Squamish BC V8B 0N2 · Food Service Establishment 1

Official record from Vancouver Coastal →

Inspection summary

Essence of India Restaurant has been inspected 15 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since May 7, 2015. The most recent inspection, on July 10, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

5 of 15 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 7 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 10, 2026. For example: All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.

  • 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 19, 2023. 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 once on May 19, 2023. For example: Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.

  • 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 once on October 19, 2017. For example: The premises is free of pests.

  • 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 October 19, 2017. For example: Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from 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.

15 inspections

  1. Routine

    3 infractions

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
  2. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  3. Routine

    1 infraction

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Mechanical glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
  4. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled from 60°C to 21°C within two hours, and then from 21°C to 4°C within four hours.
    • 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.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Test strips are not available to monitor sanitizer level.
  5. Routine

    0 infractions

  6. Request

    16 infractions

    • COVID-19 Safety Plan developed and in use
    • COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patron count
    • Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises has been determined
    • Maximum number of patrons allows for 2m separation between patrons of different parties at all times
    • 2m separation maintained between patrons of different parties, except when partition in place
    • Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
    • Maximum of 6 patrons per table
    • Licensed premises only provide liquor service between 9am and 10pm
    • Patrons in licensed premises are assigned to a table and shown their seats by a staff member
    • Patrons remain seated while at a licensed establishment, except to use the washroom or leave (Exception: licensed premises with manufacturing license)
    • Where partitions are in use, they are positioned such that droplet transmission is blocked
    • Operator assessed their premises and taken steps to prevent congregation of patrons near or outside their premises
    • Physical devices or markers are used to assist patrons in maintaining physical distance
    • Background music is no louder than the volume of normal conversation
    • Reservation contact information is kept for 30 days: First name, last name, and phone number or email of at least one member of every party
    • Full meal service is provided at premises open after 11pm
  7. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  8. Routine

    3 infractions

    • 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.
    • 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.
      • Mechanical dishwasher/glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
  9. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  10. Routine

    3 infractions

    • 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 stored in suitable containers.
      • 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 in a condition that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
  11. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is not stored off of floor.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises is not protected from the entrance of pests.
    • Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.
      • Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are not stored separately from food.
  12. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  13. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
  14. Routine

    2 infractions

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Mechanical dishwasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
    • 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.
  15. Routine

    1 infraction

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is not stored off of floor.

Nearby inspected facilities

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