PALERMO EXPRESS

Inspection summary

PALERMO EXPRESS has been inspected 6 times by Ottawa Public Health since October 21, 2024. The most recent inspection, on September 1, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

2 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: 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.

• 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 September 1, 2026. For example: The surfaces of equipment and facilities other than utensils that come in direct contact with food are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain such surfaces in a sanitary condition.

• 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 September 1, 2026. For example: The equipment used for refrigeration or hot-holding of potentially hazardous foods is sufficiently sized to store potentially hazardous food and maintain it at applicable temperature.

• 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 1, 2026. For example: Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that no room is used for sleeping purposes.

• 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 once on December 11, 2025. For example: Every operator of a food service premise ensures that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training during every hour in which the premise is operating.

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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• How to read an inspection report