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The Barking Forest

58 King Street East, Forest ON N0N 1J0 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

The Barking Forest has been inspected 5 times by Lambton Public Health since November 8, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 1, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

None of the 5 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 6 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Chemicals and toxic substances.

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.

  • 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 7 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on October 1, 2026. For example: Thermometers are used to verify food preparation and storage temperatures.

  • 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 1, 2026. For example: Hand washing basin is maintained and kept adequately supplied.

  • 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 October 1, 2026. For example: Food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed, installed, maintained, and located (smooth, non-absorbent, cleanable, corrosion resistant, non-toxic and free from contamination).

  • 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 March 13, 2026. For example: Ceilings are clean and in good repair

About this data

These results come from Lambton 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.

5 inspections

  1. Required

    4 infractions

    • Thermometers are used to verify food preparation and storage temperatures.
      • Fail to provide an accurate indicating thermometer in an easy-to-read location.
    • Re-heat hazardous food to its original cooking temperature within 2 hours.
      • Fail to ensure that hot holding units (i.e. steam tables, crock pots, heat lamps) are not used to re-heat food.
    • Hand washing basin is maintained and kept adequately supplied.
      • Fail to provide soap from a dispenser in the food preparation area.
    • Food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed, installed, maintained, and located (smooth, non-absorbent, cleanable, corrosion resistant, non-toxic and free from contamination).
      • Fail to store food dispensing scoop, or other approved food dispensing utensil, in a manner preventing contamination of the scoop, utensil, or food product being dispensed.
  2. Required

    2 infractions

    • Hazardous food is hot held at a minimum temperature of 60°C (140°F) after cooking or rapid re-heating.
      • Fail to hot-hold hazardous foods at 60°C (140°F) or higher after cooking or rapid re-heating.
    • Ceilings are clean and in good repair
      • Fail to ensure the ceiling of the food-handling room is kept clean and in good repair.
  3. Required

    2 infractions

    • Hazardous food products are stored out of the temperature danger zone between 4°C (40°F) and 60°C (140°F) (except during periods of food preparation).
      • Fail to thaw hazardous foods at 4°C (40°F) or less in a refrigeration unit, under cold running potable water or in the microwave.
    • Hazardous food is hot held at a minimum temperature of 60°C (140°F) after cooking or rapid re-heating.
      • Fail to hot-hold hazardous foods at 60°C (140°F) or higher after cooking or rapid re-heating.
  4. Required

    2 infractions

    • Hazardous food is hot held at a minimum temperature of 60°C (140°F) after cooking or rapid re-heating.
      • Fail to hot-hold hazardous foods at 60°C (140°F) or higher after cooking or rapid re-heating.
    • Hand washing basin is maintained and kept adequately supplied.
      • Fail to provide disposable paper towels from a dispenser in the food preparation area.
  5. Required

    1 infraction

    • Hazardous food is hot held at a minimum temperature of 60°C (140°F) after cooking or rapid re-heating.
      • Fail to hot-hold hazardous foods at 60°C (140°F) or higher after cooking or rapid re-heating.

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