Sweet Barrel Creamery
2729 Arbutus St, Vancouver BC V6J 3Y5 · Food Service Establishment 1
Inspection summary
Sweet Barrel Creamery has been inspected 18 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since February 3, 2016. The most recent inspection, on July 14, 2026, found no infractions.
7 of 18 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Chemicals and toxic substances and Handwashing and staff hygiene.
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 9 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on May 29, 2023. For example:
The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
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 once on July 7, 2026. For example:
Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.
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 once on February 23, 2021. For example:
Self-service areas equipped with hand washing or alcohol-based sanitizer in easy reach
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 once on April 4, 2017. For example:
Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
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 April 6, 2016. For example:
Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
About this data
These results come from Vancouver Coastal 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.
18 inspections
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
2 infractions
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
- Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.
- Non-food containers are not clearly labelled to identify contents.
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- Routine
0 infractions
- Routine
1 infraction
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
- Owner/Operator does not hold a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate.
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- Routine
3 infractions
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
- Owner/Operator does not hold a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Routine Follow-up
2 infractions
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Inadequate lighting and/or ventilation on the premises.
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- Owner/Operator does not hold a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate.
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine
4 infractions
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- Owner/Operator does not hold a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Request
12 infractions
- COVID-19 Safety Plan developed and in use
- COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patron count
- Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises has been determined
- Maximum number of patrons allows for 2m separation between patrons of different parties at all times
- 2m separation maintained between patrons of different parties, except when partition in place
- Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
- Operator assessed their premises and taken steps to prevent congregation of patrons near or outside their premises
- Physical devices or markers are used to assist patrons in maintaining physical distance
- Self-service areas equipped with hand washing or alcohol-based sanitizer in easy reach
- Self-service areas equipped with appropriate signage
- Self-serve station surfaces and utensils are frequently cleaned and sanitized
- Background music is no louder than the volume of normal conversation
- Routine
0 infractions
- Routine Follow-up
1 infraction
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Routine
2 infractions
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Sanitizing solution is not present or at insufficient concentration.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Routine
1 infraction
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
2 infractions
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Sanitizing solution is not present or at insufficient concentration.
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
2 infractions
- Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
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