Skip to content
Loading map…

HALIFAX BACKPACKERS

2193 GOTTINGEN, HALIFAX · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

HALIFAX BACKPACKERS has been inspected 4 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since March 18, 2025. The most recent inspection, on March 16, 2026, found no infractions.

1 of 4 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 and Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 22, 2025. For example: 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;

  • 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 once on March 18, 2025. For example: 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 10, 2025. For example: 28(2) If an operator is absent from a food establishment, the operator must ensure that a member of the personnel who has successfully completed a food hygiene training program is present.

  • 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 once on March 18, 2025. For example: 9(a) An operator must renew a permit, other than a temporary permit, on or before the expiry date by submitting a completed renewal application to the Minister on a form approved by the Administrator together with all of the following: (a) the applicable fee prescribed in Section 5;

About this data

These results come from Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program), 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.

4 inspections

  1. Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • A two- basin sink of sufficient size to submerge largest piece of kitchen equipment is required for manual dishwashing purposes.
  3. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 28(2) If an operator is absent from a food establishment, the operator must ensure that a member of the personnel who has successfully completed a food hygiene training program is present.
      • No certified food handlers available on site at the time of inspection. Only one staff on site. One person per shift is required with food hygiene training certification. Provide proof of food hygiene training certification to Public Health Officer.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • A two- basin sink of sufficient size to submerge largest piece of kitchen equipment is required for manual dishwashing purposes.
  4. Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 28(2) If an operator is absent from a food establishment, the operator must ensure that a member of the personnel who has successfully completed a food hygiene training program is present.
      • No certified food handlers available on site at the time of inspection. Only one staff on site. One person per shift is required with food hygiene training certification. Provide proof of food hygiene training certification to Public Health Officer.
    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • A two- basin sink of sufficient size to submerge largest piece of kitchen equipment is required for manual dishwashing purposes.
    • 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.
      • In accordance with Section 4.2.1(b) of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must identify all cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the Food Establishment and their concentrations. Bleach water sanitizing solution too strong (>200PPM). Solution diluted on site. Ensure solution is made fresh daily.
    • 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.
      • Kitchen staff stated that guests of the hostel have access to the open basement area with cold storage for the food establishment. Relocate stand-up freezer in basement to an area where hostel guests have no access to it or can put a padlock or other similar type of device to prevent potential for tampering.
    • 9(a) An operator must renew a permit, other than a temporary permit, on or before the expiry date by submitting a completed renewal application to the Minister on a form approved by the Administrator together with all of the following: (a) the applicable fee prescribed in Section 5;
      • Food permit expired on Jan 22, 2025. Renew food permit immediately.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website