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Pothos Cafe

225 Queen St Dunnville ON N1A 1H8 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Pothos Cafe has been inspected 8 times by Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (now Grand Erie Public Health) since November 8, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 13, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

4 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 14 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 13, 2026. For example: Either manual or mechanical dishwashing provided (C)

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 7, 2026. For example: Potentially hazardous food is maintained at 60°C (140°F) or greater (C)

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 7, 2026. For example: Food protected from contamination or adulteration (C)

  • 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 October 7, 2026. For example: Ventilation system is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat (NC)

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded once on May 2, 2025. For example: Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms are constructed and arranged so as to permit thorough cleaning and the maintenance of the premises in a clean and sanitary condition (NC)

About this data

These results come from Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (now Grand Erie 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.

8 inspections

  1. Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • Either manual or mechanical dishwashing provided (C)
      • Provide a commercial grade mechanical dishwasher
  2. Required

    7 infractions

    • Either manual or mechanical dishwashing provided (C)
      • Provide a commercial grade mechanical dishwasher
    • Manual dishwashing requirements are met (C)
      • Follow the three-compartment sink method: wash in first sink, rinse in second sink, sanitize in third sink
      • Ensure quaternary ammonium compound is no less than 200 ppm at 24°C (75°F) or greater for at least 45 seconds
    • Multi-service articles, utensils, and food contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized after each use and as often as is necessary to maintain sanitary condition (C)
      • Maintain concentration of sanitizing solutions according to manufacturer's instructions
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration (C)
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
    • Potentially hazardous food is maintained at 60°C (140°F) or greater (C)
      • Ensure all potentially hazardous foods are maintained at 60°C (140°F) or greater after re-heating
    • Ventilation system is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat (NC)
      • Ensure ventilation system, exhaust hood, filters, and canopy are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner
    • Sanitizer test kits are available (NC)
      • Ensure a sanitizing test kit is provided for all sanitizing agents used within the food premise
  3. Follow-up

    0 infractions

  4. Required

    6 infractions

    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration (C)
      • Ensure utensils and multi-service articles are stored in a manner preventing contamination
    • All food is processed in a manner that makes the food safe to eat (C)
      • Ensure reheated foods are only used once, then discarded
    • Potentially hazardous food is maintained at 60°C (140°F) or greater (C)
      • Ensure all potentially hazardous foods are maintained at 60°C (140°F) or greater after cooking
      • Ensure all potentially hazardous foods are maintained at 60°C (140°F) or greater after re-heating
    • Floors, wall and ceilings are clean, in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner (NC)
      • Ensure walls are kept clean and in good repair
    • Mechanical equipment is provided with accurate thermometer (NC)
      • Provide an easy-to-read thermometer that accurately shows wash and rinse water temperatures
    • Sanitizer test kits are available (NC)
      • Ensure sanitizing test kits are readily available where the sanitization takes place
  5. Required

    0 infractions

  6. Follow-up

    0 infractions

  7. Required

    3 infractions

    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms are constructed and arranged so as to permit thorough cleaning and the maintenance of the premises in a clean and sanitary condition (NC)
      • Ensure equipment is constructed and arranged to permit cleaning in order to maintain premises in a clean and sanitary condition
      • Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
    • Sanitizer test kits are available (NC)
      • Ensure sanitizing test kits are readily available where the sanitization takes place
    • Accurate thermometers are available on site (NC)
  8. Follow-up

    0 infractions

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