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The Laughing Oyster

10052 Malaspina Rd, Powell River BC V8A 0G3 · Food Service Establishment 1

Official record from Vancouver Coastal →

Inspection summary

The Laughing Oyster has been inspected 16 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since October 28, 2015. The most recent inspection, on July 27, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

8 of 16 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 6 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on December 12, 2025. For example: All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 27, 2026. For example: Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 27, 2026. For example: Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 21, 2024. For example: Contaminated food is not stored, displayed or offered for sale.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 21, 2019. For example: The premises is free of pests.

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.

16 inspections

  1. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not designed and/or supplied with equipment that will ensure the safe and sanitary handling of food.
    • 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.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are inadequate in number and location, preventing accessibility to all food handlers.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Test strips are not available to monitor sanitizer level.
  2. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  3. Routine Follow-up

    2 infractions

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
  4. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
  5. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
  6. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not designed and/or supplied with equipment that will ensure the safe and sanitary handling of food.
    • Contaminated food is not stored, displayed or offered for sale.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
  7. Routine

    0 infractions

  8. Routine

    0 infractions

  9. Routine

    0 infractions

  10. Request

    19 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
    • Maximum of 6 patrons per table
    • No events over 50 people on premises
    • Licensed premises only provide liquor service between 9am and 10pm
    • Full meal service is provided at premises open after 11pm
    • Patrons in licensed premises are assigned to a table and shown their seats by a staff member
    • Patrons remain seated while at a licensed establishment, except to use the washroom or leave (Exception: licensed premises with manufacturing license)
    • Where partitions are in use, they are positioned such that droplet transmission is blocked
    • 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
    • Dance floors are closed and blocked. No Karaoke, dancing, or singing on the premises
    • Background music is no louder than the volume of normal conversation
    • Reservation contact information is kept for 30 days: First name, last name, and phone number or email of at least one member of every party
    • Daily worker health check in place
  11. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  12. Routine

    6 infractions

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is stored in a manner that promotes cross contamination.
      • Food is not stored off of floor.
    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not thawed using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • 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.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
    • The premises is free of pests.
  13. Routine

    0 infractions

  14. Routine

    1 infraction

    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  15. Routine

    0 infractions

  16. Routine

    0 infractions

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