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Lotus - The Place for Pho Lovers

4131 No. 5 Rd, Richmond BC V6X 2T9 · Food Service Establishment 1

Official record from Vancouver Coastal →

Inspection summary

Lotus - The Place for Pho Lovers has been inspected 17 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since February 16, 2016. The most recent inspection, on July 13, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

6 of 17 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Food temperature control.

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 10 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on July 13, 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.

  • 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 9 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on July 13, 2026. For example: The premises is free of pests.

  • 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 7 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 13, 2026. For example: Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 3, 2025. For example: Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 3, 2025. For example: Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of 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.

17 inspections

  1. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution concentration is too low.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
    • The premises is free of conditions that lead to harbouring, breeding and entry of pests.
  2. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  3. Routine

    5 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.
    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not thawed using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • 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.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Employees are eating, drinking or using tobacco in food preparation, dishwashing and/or food storage areas.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  4. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  5. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • 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.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution concentration is too high.
      • Wiping cloths are not clean, restricted in use and/or stored in approved sanitizing solution.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  6. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • 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.
  7. Routine

    8 infractions

    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • 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.
    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • 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 maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Wiping cloths are not clean, restricted in use and/or stored in approved sanitizing solution.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
    • The premises is free of conditions that lead to harbouring, breeding and entry of pests.
  8. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  9. Routine

    7 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • 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 protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
      • Food is not properly covered and protected from contamination.
    • 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 maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained in a manner that prevents contamination.
      • Wiping cloths are not clean, restricted in use and/or stored in approved sanitizing solution.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Employees do not demonstrate good personal hygiene which may lead to the contamination of food.
      • Employees are eating, drinking or using tobacco in food preparation, dishwashing and/or food storage areas.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  10. Request Follow-up

    11 infractions

    • 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
    • Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
    • 2m distance between backs of seats at different tables is maintained at all times
    • No events over 50 people on premises
    • 2m separation maintained between patrons of different parties, except when partition in place
    • Maximum of 6 patrons per table
    • Physical devices or markers are used to assist patrons in maintaining physical distance
    • COVID-19 Safety Plan developed and in use
    • COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated
    • 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
  11. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  12. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • There is inadequate lighting and/or ventilation on the premises.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
  13. Routine

    2 infractions

    • 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.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
  14. Routine

    0 infractions

  15. Routine

    0 infractions

  16. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  17. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in good repair.
    • 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 properly covered and protected from contamination.
      • Food is not stored off of floor.
    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
      • 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.
    • 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.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Procedures in the sanitation plan are not being followed.

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