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PHO LADY

280 ELGIN ST OTTAWA ON K2P 1M2 · Food Safety

Official record from Ottawa →

Inspection summary

PHO LADY has been inspected 9 times by Ottawa Public Health since January 15, 2025. The most recent inspection, on October 2, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

1 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 6 inspections with 17 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example: The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 1, 2026. For example: All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example: Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.

  • 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 October 2, 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.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 16, 2026. For example: Equipment and utensils that come into direct contact with food are corrosion-resistant, non-toxic and free from cracks, crevices and open seams.

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.

9 inspections

  1. Required

    3 infractions

    • Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
    • The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
    • 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.
  2. Follow-up

    0 infractions

  3. Required

    3 infractions

    • The ventilation system is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat.
    • 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.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
  4. Required

    4 infractions

    • Equipment and utensils that come into direct contact with food are corrosion-resistant, non-toxic and free from cracks, crevices and open seams.
      • Equipment and utensils that come into direct contact with food must be free from cracks, crevices and open seams.
    • The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
    • 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.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
  5. Follow-up

    2 infractions

    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
    • 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.
      • Operator must ensure that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training.
  6. Required

    5 infractions

    • Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
    • The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The floor or floor coverings must be tight, smooth and non-absorbent.
      • The walls and ceilings of rooms and passageways must be readily cleaned and must be maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept in a sanitary condition so as to prevent contamination of food.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept free from materials and equipment not regularly used in the room.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
    • 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.
      • Operator must ensure that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training.
    • Racks, shelves or pallets used for food storage must be designed to protect the food from contamination and must be readily cleanable.
  7. Follow-up

    2 infractions

    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
    • Equipment for either manual or mechanical dishwashing available on site.
  8. Required

    4 infractions

    • The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
      • Protect the food premise against the entry of pests.
      • Keep the food premise free of conditions that lead to the breeding of pests.
    • The ventilation system is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The walls and ceilings of rooms and passageways must be readily cleaned and must be maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept in a sanitary condition so as to prevent contamination of food.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept free from materials and equipment not regularly used in the room.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Protect all food from contamination and adulteration.
  9. Required

    4 infractions

    • The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
      • Keep the food premise free of conditions that lead to the harbouring of pests.
      • Keep the food premise free of conditions that lead to the breeding of pests.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept in a sanitary condition so as to prevent contamination of food.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept free from materials and equipment not regularly used in the room.
    • Toxic and poisonous substances required for maintenance of sanitary conditions are kept separate from food, in containers bearing a label and used in a manner that does not contaminate the food.
      • Keep toxic and poisonous substances in a compartment separate from food, working surface or utensil.
      • Keep toxic and poisonous substances in a container that bears a label on which the contents of the container are clearly identified.
      • Use toxic and poisonous substances under such conditions that the substances do not contaminate food or cause a health hazard.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Protect all food from contamination and adulteration.

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