PUNJABI CANTEEN
1234 MERIVALE OTTAWA ON · Food Safety
Inspection summary
PUNJABI CANTEEN has been inspected 9 times by Ottawa Public Health since February 2, 2024. The most recent inspection, on September 14, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
4 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control and Handwashing and staff hygiene.
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.
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 14, 2026. For example:
The equipment used for refrigeration or hot-holding of potentially hazardous foods contains accurate indicating thermometers that can be easily read.
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 30, 2025. For example:
Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 14, 2026. For example:
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.
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 July 3, 2024. For example:
All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.
Other findingsLower risk
Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.
Recorded once on October 30, 2025. For example:
The levels of illumination required are maintained in the food premise during all hours of operation.
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
- Required
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 equipment used for refrigeration or hot-holding of potentially hazardous foods contains accurate indicating thermometers that can be easily read.
- Follow-up
0 infractions
- Required
2 infractions
- Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
- Provide an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained and kept adequately supplied and that are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- The hand washing stations must be used only for the hand washing of employees.
- The levels of illumination required are maintained in the food premise during all hours of operation.
- Maintain the levels of illumination required under Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code) during all hours of operation.
- Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
- Complaint
0 infractions
- Required
2 infractions
- Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
- The hand washing stations must be used only for the hand washing of employees.
- The ventilation system is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat.
- Maintain the ventilation system in a manner that it eliminates odours, fumes, vapours, and smoke.
- Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
- Follow-up inspection
0 infractions
- Routine inspection
3 infractions
- All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.
- All the equipment, utensils and multi-service articles used in the food premise must be suitable for their intended purpose.
- 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.
- 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.
- The ventilation system is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat.
- Maintain the ventilation system in a manner that it eliminates excessive heat.
- All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.
- Follow-up inspection
0 infractions
- Routine inspection
3 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 floor or floor coverings must be tight, smooth and non-absorbent.
- 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.
- 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.
- The ventilation system is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat.
- The equipment used for refrigeration or hot-holding of potentially hazardous foods contains accurate indicating thermometers that can be easily read.
- 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.
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