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THE ELM TREE

1 VICTORIA, AMHERST · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

THE ELM TREE has been inspected 8 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since November 12, 2025. The most recent inspection, on August 21, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

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

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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 21, 2026. For example: 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 21, 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.

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 3, 2025. For example: 29(1) An operator of a food establishment must have a maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program in place to control the risk of contamination of food, equipment, utensils and other facilities in the food establishment.

  • 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 August 21, 2026. For example: 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;

  • 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 December 2, 2025. For example: 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.

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.

8 inspections

  1. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Handwashing sink must remain unobstructed at all times during operation.
    • 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.
      • An acceptable sanitizer must be available for use on food contact surfaces throughout operation.
  2. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 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;
      • Bar dishwasher must dispense sanitizer at a concentration acceptable for food contact surfaces.
    • 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.
      • An acceptable sanitizer must be available for use on food contact surfaces throughout operation.
  3. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 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.
      • 1.Clean and sanitize all areas where there is evidence of rodent droppings. 2. Comply with all recommedations from pest control report dated December 17,2025
  4. 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 all areas where there is evidence of rodent droppings.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Most recent pest control reports to be sent to the public health inspector.
  5. Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 29(1) An operator of a food establishment must have a maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program in place to control the risk of contamination of food, equipment, utensils and other facilities in the food establishment.
      • Glass washer requires repair. Any glass ware must be washed in dishwasher in kitchen until it is able to sanitize appropriately.
  7. Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 28(1) An operator must successfully complete a food hygiene training program and provide proof of this to the Administrator upon request.
      • In accordance with Section 6.3.3 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must provide verification of completion of a valid, recognized food hygiene course to the Department.
    • 29(1) An operator of a food establishment must have a maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program in place to control the risk of contamination of food, equipment, utensils and other facilities in the food establishment.
      • Glass washer requires repair.
    • 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.
      • Food must be thawed using one of the four acceptable methods: (1) Under refrigeration temperature of 4C or colder, (2) Completely submerged in cold water replaced every 30 minutes, (3) In the microwave, or (4) as part of the cooking process.
  8. Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 28(1) An operator must successfully complete a food hygiene training program and provide proof of this to the Administrator upon request.
      • In accordance with Section 6.3.3 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must provide verification of completion of a valid, recognized food hygiene course to the Department.
    • 29(1) An operator of a food establishment must have a maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program in place to control the risk of contamination of food, equipment, utensils and other facilities in the food establishment.
      • Glass washer requires repair.
    • 6(a) A person must submit an application for a permit to the Administrator in a form prescribed by the Administrator and the application must include all of the following: (a) the applicable fee prescribed in Section 5;
      • Submit application form and fee to Nova Scotia Environment.

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