Northern College Cafeteria

Inspection summary

Northern College Cafeteria has been inspected 12 times by Porcupine Health Unit since September 15, 2016. The most recent inspection, on April 5, 2024, recorded 1 infraction.

4 of 12 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing 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.

• 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2023. For example: A sufficient number of handwash stations are present, each has all required supplies, are not used for any other purpose, and are not blocked/rendered inaccessible. [s. 7(3)(a)(c), (4)]

• 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 28, 2024. For example: Manual dishwashing done correctly (wash, rinse, sanitize) with correct number of sinks of sufficient size. [s. 18-19]

• 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 19, 2019. For example: All Refrigeration units that hold potentially hazardous foods are maintained at 4C (40F) or colder at all times, and are of sufficient size to meet the needs of the premises. [s. 27(1), 30]

• 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 March 28, 2024. For example: Furniture, equipment, and/or appliances are all situated in a manner so as not to restrict thorough cleaning or prevent room from being maintained in a sanitary manner. [s. 9]

• 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 October 2, 2023. For example: Chemical(s) required for sanitary maintenance of premises/equipment approved for use and are stored suitably and safely away from food. [s.23]

About this data

These results come from Porcupine Health Unit, 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 Porcupine Health Unit disclosure site
• See all inspected facilities in Northeastern Ontario
• How to read an inspection report