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Mercato Fresh

725 Grand Ave. W, Chatham ON N7L 1C5 · Supermarket

Inspection summary

Mercato Fresh has been inspected 19 times by Chatham-Kent Public Health since February 13, 2020. The most recent inspection, on July 30, 2026, found no infractions.

9 of 19 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The last 4 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.

  • 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 7 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on January 10, 2022. For example: All food is protected from contamination and adulteration s. 26(1)

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 18, 2024. For example: Potentially hazardous food is not held at temperatures between 4°C(40°F) and 60°C(140°F) for the purpose of preparation, processing, and manufacturing for longer than 2 hours s. 27(2) a

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 7, 2020. For example: Mechanical dishwasher is properly constructed, designed, and maintained s. 20

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 17, 2023. For example: Premises is equipped with an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained, kept adequately supplied, and situated for convenient access by food handlers s. 7(3)c, 7(4).

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 2 times on February 13, 2020. For example: General housekeeping is satisfactory s. 7(1)e, f

About this data

These results come from Chatham-Kent 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.

19 inspections

  1. Required

    0 infractions

  2. Required

    0 infractions

  3. Required

    0 infractions

  4. Required

    0 infractions

  5. Required

    1 infraction

    • All equipment, utensils, and multi-service articles used for food production, display, or sale purposes are properly constructed and maintained s. 8
      • Ensure all equipment, utensils, and surfaces are kept in good repair
      • Ensure all equipment, utensils, and surfaces are free from cracks, crevices, and open seams
  6. Required

    1 infraction

    • Potentially hazardous food is not held at temperatures between 4°C(40°F) and 60°C(140°F) for the purpose of preparation, processing, and manufacturing for longer than 2 hours s. 27(2) a
      • Ensure that potentially hazardous food is not held at temperatures between 4°C(40°F) and 60°C(140°F) for the purpose of preparation, processing, and manufacturing for longer than 2 hours
  7. Required

    1 infraction

    • Premises is equipped with an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained, kept adequately supplied, and situated for convenient access by food handlers s. 7(3)c, 7(4).
      • Ensure hand washing stations are used only for employee hand washing
  8. Required

    0 infractions

  9. Required

    0 infractions

  10. Required

    0 infractions

  11. Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • All food is protected from contamination and adulteration s. 26(1)
      • Ensure all food is protected from contamination and adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
      • Store all food off the floor
  12. Required

    1 infraction

    • All food is protected from contamination and adulteration s. 26(1)
      • Ensure all food is protected from contamination and adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
      • Store all food off the floor
  13. Required

    1 infraction

    • All food is protected from contamination and adulteration s. 26(1)
      • Cover all food in storage
  14. Required

    0 infractions

  15. Follow-up

    0 infractions

  16. Required

    3 infractions

    • Racks, shelves or pallets that are used to store food in a food premise must be designed to protect the food from contamination and must be readily cleanable S. 31
      • Ensure racks shelves or pallets used to store food are designed to protect food from contamination and are readily cleanable
    • Mechanical dishwasher is properly constructed, designed, and maintained s. 20
      • Ensure chlorine sanitizer is at least 100 ppm at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
    • All food is protected from contamination and adulteration s. 26(1)
      • Cover all food in storage
  17. Required

    2 infractions

    • Premises is equipped with an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained, kept adequately supplied, and situated for convenient access by food handlers s. 7(3)c, 7(4).
    • Potentially hazardous foods being held hot are held at or above 60°C (140°F) after cooking/rapid reheating s. 27(1) b
      • Ensure potentially hazardous foods are being held hot at or above 60°C (140°F) or above after cooking/rapid reheating
  18. Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • Racks, shelves or pallets that are used to store food in a food premise must be designed to protect the food from contamination and must be readily cleanable S. 31
      • Ensure racks shelves or pallets used to store food are designed to protect food from contamination and are readily cleanable
  19. Required

    7 infractions

    • General housekeeping is satisfactory s. 7(1)e, f
      • Maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary condition
    • Premises is equipped with an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained, kept adequately supplied, and situated for convenient access by food handlers s. 7(3)c, 7(4).
      • Ensure hand washing stations are kept adequately supplied with soap and paper towel dispensers
    • Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) are collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of the premises S. 12
      • Remove and store garbage as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions
    • Racks, shelves or pallets that are used to store food in a food premise must be designed to protect the food from contamination and must be readily cleanable S. 31
      • Ensure racks shelves or pallets used to store food are designed to protect food from contamination and are readily cleanable
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique s. 19
      • Provide sufficient detergent or chemicals for washing or sanitizing
    • Food contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain them in a sanitary condition s. 16, 21, 22.
      • Ensure food contact surfaces and equipment are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain them in a sanitary condition
    • Potentially hazardous food is not held at temperatures between 4°C(40°F) and 60°C(140°F) for the purpose of preparation, processing, and manufacturing for longer than 2 hours s. 27(2) a
      • Ensure that potentially hazardous food is not held at temperatures between 4°C(40°F) and 60°C(140°F) for the purpose of preparation, processing, and manufacturing for longer than 2 hours

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