THE WHALESBONE OYSTER HOUSE
430 BANK ST OTTAWA ON K2P 1Y8 · Food Safety
Inspection summary
THE WHALESBONE OYSTER HOUSE has been inspected 6 times by Ottawa Public Health since October 24, 2024. The most recent inspection, on June 19, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.
None of the 6 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.
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.
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 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 4, 2025. For example:
The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of 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 18, 2025. For example:
Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
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 once on June 19, 2026. For example:
The surfaces of equipment and facilities other than utensils that come in direct contact with food are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain such surfaces in a sanitary condition.
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 October 15, 2025. For example:
All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
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 June 4, 2025. For example:
Mechanical dishwashers are constructed, designed and maintained to provide clean wash water at the proper temperature, and a sanitizing rinse.
About this data
These results come from Ottawa 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.
6 inspections
- Required
1 infraction
- The surfaces of equipment and facilities other than utensils that come in direct contact with food are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain such surfaces in a sanitary condition.
- Clean and sanitize the surfaces of equipment and facilities as often as necessary to maintain such surfaces in a sanitary conditions.
- The surfaces of equipment and facilities other than utensils that come in direct contact with food are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain such surfaces in a sanitary condition.
- Required
2 infractions
- Every operator of a food service premise ensures that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training during every hour in which the premise is operating.
- All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
- Follow-up
1 infraction
- The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
- Protect the food premise against the entry of pests.
- Failure to comply may result in legal action.
- The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
- Follow-up
2 infractions
- Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
- Provide an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained and kept adequately supplied and that are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
- Protect the food premise against the entry of pests.
- Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
- Required
5 infractions
- Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
- Provide an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained and kept adequately supplied and that are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
- Protect the food premise against the entry of pests.
- Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
- The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
- Mechanical dishwashers are constructed, designed and maintained to provide clean wash water at the proper temperature, and a sanitizing rinse.
- Provide a mechanical dishwasher constructed, designed and maintained to provide clean wash water clean at all times and maintaining a temperature not lower than 60°C or higher than 71°C.
- Every operator of a food service premise ensures that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training during every hour in which the premise is operating.
- Operator must ensure that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training.
- For further information, please visit www.ottawapublichealth.ca; Search phrase: Certified Food Handler Training
- Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
- Routine inspection
3 infractions
- Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
- Furniture, equipment and appliances in any room or place where food is prepared, handled, displayed, sold or offered for sale is constructed and arranged to permit thorough cleaning of the room and maintaining it in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Equipment and utensils that come into direct contact with food are corrosion-resistant, non-toxic and free from cracks, crevices and open seams.
Nearby inspected facilities
- HANABI JAPANESE CUISINE
434 BANK ST OTTAWA ON K2P 1Y8
9 inspections
- BRAMASOLE DINER
428 BANK ST OTTAWA ON K2P 1Y7
11 inspections
- THE INK SPOT
429 BANK ST OTTAWA ON K2P 1Y7
3 inspections
- FAUNA
425 BANK ST OTTAWA ON K2P 1Y7
7 inspections
- SUBWAY
414 BANK ST OTTAWA ON K2P 1Y8
4 inspections
- SUBITO SANDWICH
389 GLADSTONE OTTAWA ON K2P 0Y9
6 inspections
- PIZZERIA DA ROMOLO
410 BANK ST OTTAWA ON K2P 1Y6
3 inspections
- TIM HORTONS
450 BANK ST OTTAWA ON K2P 1Z1
2 inspections