Northern Drugs

Inspection summary

Northern Drugs has been inspected 4 times by Porcupine Health Unit since September 8, 2022. The most recent inspection, on January 29, 2025, found no infractions.

3 of 4 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: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The last 3 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.

• 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 on September 8, 2022. For example: Food-contact surfaces and equipment are cleaned & sanitized as often as necessary. [s.22]

• 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 on September 8, 2022. For example: Thermometers are present in all required refrigeration and hot-holding units and are easily readable. [s. 30(b)]

• 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 September 8, 2022. 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)]

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
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