METCALFE VARIETY STORE

Inspection summary

METCALFE VARIETY STORE has been inspected 6 times by Ottawa Public Health since December 19, 2024. The most recent inspection, on April 22, 2026, found no infractions.

4 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Chemicals and toxic substances, Protecting food from contamination and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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

• Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

  Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

  Recorded once on November 17, 2025. For example: Utensils shall be sanitized through the use of an approved chemical solution or hot water for the required contact time and temperature.

• 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 November 17, 2025. For example: All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.

• 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 once on December 19, 2024. For example: Equipment for either manual or mechanical dishwashing available on site.

• 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 once on December 19, 2024. For example: Vending machine that automatically mixes water to create a product is provided with potable water supply piped into the machine under pressure.

About this data

These results come from Ottawa 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.

• View the official Ottawa Public Health disclosure site
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