Lawtons Drug #2561

Inspection summary

Lawtons Drug #2561 has been inspected 6 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since November 3, 2023. The most recent inspection, on September 14, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 28, 2025. For example: 29(2)(a) - OPERATOR FAILING TO ENSURE MAINTENANCE, CLEANING, & SANITATION PROGRAM INCLUDES PROCEDURES THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT & EQUIPMENT ARE MAINTAINED, CLEANED AND SANITIZED.

• 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 July 31, 2026. For example: 33(2) - OPERATOR FAILING TO ENSURE REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT HAS TEMPERAUTRE MEASURING DEVICE THAT IS ACCURATE AND IN GOOD REPAIR.

• 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 July 31, 2026. For example: 34 - OPERATOR FAILING TO ENSURE THAT FOOD & FOOD INGREDIENTS ARE STORED OR OFFERED FOR SALE IN A MANNER THAT PREVENTS CONTAMINATION OR ADULTERATION.

• 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 November 3, 2023. For example: 19(2)(b) - FAILING TO PROVIDE ADEQUATELY DESIGNED AND PROPERLY LOCATED HANDWASHING 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 once on January 20, 2025. For example: 82(1) - OPERATING FOOD ESTABLISHMENT WITHOUT A PERMIT.

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.

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