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The Turtleback Tap & Grill

3187 HIGHWAY 2, FALL RIVER · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

The Turtleback Tap & Grill has been inspected 8 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since May 17, 2024. The most recent inspection, on March 16, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

2 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests 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 8 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 18, 2025. For example: 23(1)(b) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (b) allow adequate cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance.

  • 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 June 10, 2025. 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.

  • 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 June 6, 2024. 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;

  • 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 May 17, 2024. For example: 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.

  • Permits, records and postingLower risk

    Operating permits, required signage, written procedures and logs. These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 16, 2026. For example: 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.

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

    1 infraction

    • 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: Temperature logs for all cooling equipment.
  2. Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 23(1)(b) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (b) allow adequate cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance.
      • Replace or re-surface cutting board so that it is smooth and easily cleanable
  4. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 23(1)(b) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (b) allow adequate cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance.
      • Replace or re-surface cutting board so that it is smooth and easily cleanable
    • 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;
      • Discard ice and clean and sanitize the ice machine according to the manufacturers instructions.
  5. Inspection

    6 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.
      • Install a door sweep at back kitchen door.
    • 23(1)(b) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (b) allow adequate cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance.
      • Replace or re-surface cutting board so that it is smooth and easily cleanable
    • 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;
      • Cleaning the area on and around the ceiling lights in the kitchen.
    • 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;
      • Discard ice and clean and sanitize the ice machine according to the manufacturers instructions.
    • 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.
      • Temperature logs must be maintained for all cooling equipment.
    • 9(a) An operator must renew a permit, other than a temporary permit, on or before the expiry date by submitting a completed renewal application to the Minister on a form approved by the Administrator together with all of the following: (a) the applicable fee prescribed in Section 5;
      • Food establishment permit expired on May 23, 2025. Renew the permit in next five business days.
  6. Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 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;
      • Paper towels not provided in dispensers at handwashing sinks in public washrooms and at one handwashing station in the kitchen. All handwashing sinks in kitchen and washrooms must be equipped with single-use paper towels in dispensers.
  8. Inspection

    7 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.
      • Back door was observed left open during the inspection. Door must be kept closed at all times to prevent entry by pests. A gap was observed at the same door. A new door sweep/weather proof stripping must be installed to prevent entry by pests.
    • 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;
      • Paper towels at handwashing sinks in public washrooms not provided in dispensers. One handwashing sink in the kitchen was out of paper towel. Staff washroom did not have any paper towels. All handwashing sinks in kitchen and washrooms must be equipped with single-use paper towels in dispensers.
    • 23(1)(b) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (b) allow adequate cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance.
      • The door of the fridge near gas stove was observed covered with cardboard as one of the glass panes were broken. The fridge door must be repaired.
    • 28(2) If an operator is absent from a food establishment, the operator must ensure that a member of the personnel who has successfully completed a food hygiene training program is present.
      • Staff members unable to provide a proof a valid food handler's training. A member of the personnel who has successfully completed a food hygiene training program must be present in the food establishment during operating hours and a proof of course completion must be provided to Public Health Officer upon request.
    • 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;
      • Mould growth observed on the interior surfaces of the ice machine at bar area. Discard ice and clean and sanitize the ice machine according to the manufacturer's instructions.
    • 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.
      • Ice scoop observed stored in ice bin in the bar area. Ice scoops must be stored outside the ice machine/bin in a separate clean container to prevent contamination of ice by the scoop handles.
    • 9(a) An operator must renew a permit, other than a temporary permit, on or before the expiry date by submitting a completed renewal application to the Minister on a form approved by the Administrator together with all of the following: (a) the applicable fee prescribed in Section 5;
      • Food Establishment Permit expired May 7, 2024. Renew it within the next 5 business days.

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