SOBEYS #321
279 HERRING COVE, HALIFAX · Food Establishment
Inspection summary
SOBEYS #321 has been inspected 6 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since June 10, 2024. The most recent inspection, on January 28, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
1 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 17 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Food temperature control.
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 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 4, 2025. For example:
29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 28, 2026. For example:
19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
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 December 4, 2025. For example:
23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
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 on November 17, 2025. For example:
19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
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 once on December 5, 2024. For example:
27(d) A food establishment must develop and demonstrate policies and procedures for personnel that ensure that a person entering a food handling area or engaging in an operation in a food establishment who comes into contact with food meets all of the following: (d) the person washes their hands as often as is necessary to prevent contamination of food;
About this data
These results come from Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program), 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.
6 inspections
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
- Clean and sanitize the bakery floor drains to address the build-ups.
- 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
- In accordance with Section 2.17 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure exterior openings are protected against the entry of pests.
- 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
- Inspection
5 infractions
- 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
- Clean and sanitize the bakery floor drains to address the build-ups.
- 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
- In accordance with Section 2.17 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure exterior openings are protected against the entry of pests.
- 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to
(b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
- Address the grocery walk-in freezer door/ice build-up.
- 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
- Clean and sanitize the dairy fridge. Ensure the spillage is addressed and the unit is cleaned and sanitized regularly to prevent build-up.
- 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
- Clean and sanitize the surfaces contaminated by mold. This must be done regularly.
- 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
- Inspection
10 infractions
- 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
- Do not use cardboard as liners. Recommend storing cardboard away from food preparation areas.
- 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
- Ensure walk-in cooler floors are in compliance with the regulations (easily cleanable and non-absorbent).
- 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
- Clean and sanitize the bakery floor drains to address the build-ups.
- 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
- In accordance with Section 2.17 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure exterior openings are protected against the entry of pests.
- 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to
(b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
- Address the grocery walk-in freezer door/ice build-up.
- 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
- Clean and sanitize the meat wrapping machine in between use to prevent cross contamination. Ensure a written policy is available for staff to review.
- 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
- Clean and sanitize the area contaminated by debris build-up in the cut fruits section.
- 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
- Clean and sanitize the dairy fridge. Ensure the spillage is addressed and the unit is cleaned and sanitized regularly to prevent build-up.
- 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
- Clean and sanitize the surfaces contaminated by mold. This must be done regularly.
- 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.
- In accordance with Section 3.1.4 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must maintain records that demonstrate your Quality Assurance (Management) System, including the following: - Cleaning log
- 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:
(c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 27(d) A food establishment must develop and demonstrate policies and procedures for personnel that ensure that a person entering a food handling area or engaging in an operation in a food establishment who comes into contact with food meets all of the following:
(d) the person washes their hands as often as is necessary to prevent contamination of food;
- In accordance with Section 5.7 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure all food handlers thoroughly wash their hands before commencing work and after any other activity or instance where hands may become soiled.
- 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
- Ensure walk-in cooler and freezer floors are cleaned and sanitized regularly.
- 27(d) A food establishment must develop and demonstrate policies and procedures for personnel that ensure that a person entering a food handling area or engaging in an operation in a food establishment who comes into contact with food meets all of the following:
(d) the person washes their hands as often as is necessary to prevent contamination of food;
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 19(2)(a) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator:
(a) a supply of potable hot and cold water at adequate pressure and volume with the appropriate facilities to store and distribute the water and to control the water temperature;
- In accordance with Section 2.10(b) of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must provide hot and cold water, under adequate pressure, and in sufficient quantities to meet the peak demands throughout the food premise. It was observed during the time of inspection that the staff hand-wash station inside the seafood counter did not have adequate hot water supply. One staff hand-wash station in the Cheese and Ham section also did not have hot water.
- 33(1) An operator must ensure that the temperature of food is controlled so that the food does not deteriorate or become inedible or unsafe.
- In accordance with Section 3.3.5 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must hold all hot foods at a temperature above 60 degrees Celsius. Internal temperature for Chicken Strips, Spiced Taters and Fries measured between 48°C and 51°C during the time of inspection. Staff was under the impression that hot-holding temperature was 40°C. Ensure that internal temperature for potentially hazardous food items in hot holding is at least 60°C. Staff discarded food items during inspection, stating that reheating is against store policy.
- 19(2)(a) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator:
(a) a supply of potable hot and cold water at adequate pressure and volume with the appropriate facilities to store and distribute the water and to control the water temperature;
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