Gorkha Department Store
722 13 Street N Lethbridge AB T1H 2T1 · Food - General
Inspection summary
Gorkha Department Store has been inspected 11 times by Alberta Health Services (Environmental Public Health) since January 10, 2024. The most recent inspection, on April 29, 2026, found no infractions.
5 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food source, labelling and allergens and Cleaning and sanitizing.
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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on April 16, 2026. For example:
Is the facility free of unapproved animals, vermin and/or insects (unless noted elsewhere), and maintained to prevent the entry or harbourage of pests?
Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk
Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.
Recorded once on April 16, 2026. For example:
Is all food in this facility from an approved source and/or properly labelled?
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 once on April 16, 2026. For example:
Does the operator use approved methods for cleaning and sanitizing equipment, utensils, and surfaces?
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 April 16, 2026. For example:
Are food temperatures during storage and processing being controlled to maximize food safety?
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 February 7, 2025. For example:
Are appropriate food handling practices and plans in place to ensure that food is handled in a manner that makes it safe to eat?
About this data
These results come from Alberta Health Services (Environmental 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.
11 inspections
- Risk Management Inspection
0 infractions
- Monitoring Inspection
4 infractions
- 02. Is all food in this facility from an approved source and/or properly labelled?
- 7-8 flats of non-uniform eggs were present during the inspection, and the operator could not provide a receipt/invoice for the eggs. Ensure eggs are from an approved source. Eggs removed during inspection.
- 04. Does the operator use approved methods for cleaning and sanitizing equipment, utensils, and surfaces?
- Bleach spray measured 50 ppm chlorine and was adjusted to measured 100 ppm. To mix 100 ppm solution, mix 1/2 teaspoon bleach per litre of water. Please label your sanitizer bottle.
- 10. Are food temperatures during storage and processing being controlled to maximize food safety?
- The middle display cooler measured 8°C. Whole vegetables can be stored in this cooler but no perishable foods.
- 16. Is the facility free of unapproved animals, vermin and/or insects (unless noted elsewhere), and maintained to prevent the entry or harbourage of pests?
- Mouse droppings are present in a few hard-to-reach areas including under the kitchen sink and in the back storage room of the facility that must be cleaned. Do not sweep or vacuum droppings; mix 1 part bleach to 9 parts water and soak areas.
- 02. Is all food in this facility from an approved source and/or properly labelled?
- Risk Management Inspection
0 infractions
- Risk Management Inspection
1 infraction
- 16. Is the facility free of unapproved animals, vermin and/or insects (unless noted elsewhere), and maintained to prevent the entry or harbourage of pests?
- Mouse feces have been cleaned up. No new traps set. Inspector noted a hole in the back door during inspection. Please set traps and seal all entrance points.
- 16. Is the facility free of unapproved animals, vermin and/or insects (unless noted elsewhere), and maintained to prevent the entry or harbourage of pests?
- Risk Management Inspection
2 infractions
- 06. Are appropriate food handling practices and plans in place to ensure that food is handled in a manner that makes it safe to eat?
- Food handling occurring in front service area. Food handling is not permitted here as there is no direct access to hand washing. Operator moved cart upon inspection prior to being asked by inspector.
- 16. Is the facility free of unapproved animals, vermin and/or insects (unless noted elsewhere), and maintained to prevent the entry or harbourage of pests?
- Mouse feces noted in both back storage areas. Pest control has been contracted, but no records were available at time of inspection. Pest controller is scheduled to come next week. Please provide pest control records after this visit. Please ensure all the feces are cleaned up, all excess garbage and recycling are removed from facility, and all entrance points are closed or plugged.
- 06. Are appropriate food handling practices and plans in place to ensure that food is handled in a manner that makes it safe to eat?
- Monitoring Inspection
3 infractions
- 07. Do food handlers ensure that food is protected from contamination (unless noted elsewhere)(Critical)?
- Food is being prepared in the front area without a hand wash station. All food handling must occur in the kitchen where the hand wash station is located. Operator moved food cart to the kitchen during inspection.
- 16. Is the facility free of unapproved animals, vermin and/or insects (unless noted elsewhere), and maintained to prevent the entry or harbourage of pests?
- Mouse feces noted in both back storage areas. Pest control has been contracted, but no records were available at time of inspection. Pest controller is scheduled to come next week. Please provide pest control records after this visit. Please ensure all the feces are cleaned up, all excess garbage and recycling are removed from facility, and all entrance points are closed or plugged.
- 22. Are utensils and equipment maintained in a condition and a manner that ensures the safe handling of food?
- Back cutting board was stained and partially covered in food debris upon inspection. Please ensure the cutting board is thoroughly cleaned after use or at least every 4 hours when in use.
- 07. Do food handlers ensure that food is protected from contamination (unless noted elsewhere)(Critical)?
- Risk Management Inspection
0 infractions
- Demand Inspection
1 infraction
- 19. Does the facility have a valid permit and does the facility operate in compliance with the conditions of that permit, or is the facility awaiting approval prior to operation?
- Facility is operating without a valid permit. Payment is required immediately. Please sent proof of payment to inspector by December 19, 2024.
- 19. Does the facility have a valid permit and does the facility operate in compliance with the conditions of that permit, or is the facility awaiting approval prior to operation?
- Risk Management Inspection
0 infractions
- Risk Management Inspection
0 infractions
- Monitoring Inspection
3 infractions
- 06. Are appropriate food handling practices and plans in place to ensure that food is handled in a manner that makes it safe to eat?
- Paan trolley was observed at the front of the store upon inspection. There is no hand wash station at the front of the store, therefore proper hand hygiene cannot take place prior to food handling. All food handling must take place in the kitchen. Trolley was moved without instruction.
- 16. Is the facility free of unapproved animals, vermin and/or insects (unless noted elsewhere), and maintained to prevent the entry or harbourage of pests?
- Mouse feces found in both storage areas and in the kitchen. No mouse feces were found in the store area. Certified pest control operator has been to the facility in the past. Please contact this operator again to set more traps/bait stations/etc.
- 23. Is the facility maintained in a clean and sanitary condition?
- Both storage areas and kitchen require cleaning and organization. Food debris, dust, mouse feces, and garbage/recycling found throughout kitchen and storage areas. All garbage, recycling, and unused/extra equipment or material should be removed. Food contact and storage surfaces and trolley require thorough cleaning.
- 06. Are appropriate food handling practices and plans in place to ensure that food is handled in a manner that makes it safe to eat?