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HEART AND HEARTH CAFE

5980 UNIVERSITY, HALIFAX · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

HEART AND HEARTH CAFE has been inspected 5 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since February 23, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 16, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 9 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 15, 2025. For example: 23(2)(a) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (a) achieve the required food temperature as rapidly as is necessary to maintain food safety; and

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 15, 2025. For example: 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;

  • 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 2 times on December 15, 2025. For example: 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.

  • 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 once on February 23, 2024. For example: 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 15, 2025. For example: 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.

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.

5 inspections

  1. Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Inspection

    9 infractions

    • 23(2)(a) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (a) achieve the required food temperature as rapidly as is necessary to maintain food safety; and
      • Do not serve food out of the Salad Bar, Cold Deli and Wrap station until proper refrigeration equipment is available.
    • 23(2)(a) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (a) achieve the required food temperature as rapidly as is necessary to maintain food safety; and
      • Do not serve food out of the Salad Bar, Cold Deli and Wrap station until proper refrigeration equipment is available.
    • 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
      • Repair the reach in cooler in the back room. Do not store any potentially hazardous food items in this unit until it is fixed.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Clean and sanitize the surfaces contaminated with pest droppings.
    • 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. Ensure food contact surface sanitizer is available in labelled containers during operational hours. Do not use disinfectant wipes on food contact surfaces.
    • 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. Ensure food contact surface sanitizer is available in labelled containers during operational hours. Do not use disinfectant wipes on food contact surfaces.
    • 33(1) An operator must ensure that the temperature of food is controlled so that the food does not deteriorate or become inedible or unsafe.
      • In accordance with Section 3.3.3 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must store potentially hazardous foods at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius or less Ensure facility has probe thermometer available during operational hours. Ensure staff refer to the internal monitoring thermometers while filling temperature logs.
    • 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.
      • In accordance with Section 3.1.4 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must maintain records that demonstrate your Quality Assurance (Management) System, including the following: - Time/ Temperature log for the front food stations. - Labels for the time/temperature controlled food items in the front.
    • 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.
      • In accordance with Section 3.1.4 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must maintain records that demonstrate your Quality Assurance (Management) System, including the following: - Time/ Temperature log for the front food stations. - Labels for the time/temperature controlled food items in the front.
  4. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.
      • In accordance with Section 3.1.4 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must maintain records that demonstrate your Quality Assurance (Management) System, including the following: - Logs for the salad bar food items based on time.
  5. Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Containers observed in the basin of the hand wash sink next to the cash register. Hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times and used only for hand washing. Containers removed from the hand wash sink at time of inspection.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Rodent droppings observed on the shelf next to the flat top grill. Shelf was cleaned and sanitized at time of inspection.
    • 33(1) An operator must ensure that the temperature of food is controlled so that the food does not deteriorate or become inedible or unsafe.
      • Salad ingredients observed being stored in containers on top of ice packs. If ice is being used for temperature control then the ice must be surrounding the containers and changed regularly to maintain food temperatures at 4 degrees Celsius or below. If time is being used as a control for food safety then potentially hazardous food must be time marked when removed from refrigeration and discarded after 2 hours.

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