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The Zesty Lemon

535 Somerset St, Saint John NB E2K 4X2 · Food Premises

Official record from New Brunswick →

Inspection summary

The Zesty Lemon has been inspected 8 times by New Brunswick Department of Health (Health Protection Branch) since December 5, 2023. The most recent inspection, on July 14, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

1 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 7 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 12 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 14, 2026. For example: Cleaning and Sanitizing

  • 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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 15, 2026. For example: Refrigerated Storage (Temperature)

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 22, 2025. For example: Hand Washing Station(s)

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 15, 2026. For example: Acceptable Containers and Labeling

  • 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 December 5, 2023. For example: Detergents and Chemical Use and Storage

About this data

These results come from New Brunswick Department of Health (Health Protection Branch), 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. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Food Equipment (Design, Construction, Installation and Maintenance)
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be located and maintained such that it functions in the manner intended and can be easily cleaned and sanitized.
    • Cleaning and Sanitizing
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be kept clean and sanitary.
  2. Routine Inspection

    5 infractions

    • Acceptable Containers and Labeling
      • When a food item is opened, portioned and repackaged, the portioned packages shall be labelled with the “packaged on date” using the date in which the large portion food item was opened.
    • Refrigerated Storage (Temperature)
      • Temperature logs shall be kept for a period of 1 month.
    • Food Equipment (Design, Construction, Installation and Maintenance)
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be located and maintained such that it functions in the manner intended and can be easily cleaned and sanitized.
    • Food Contact Surfaces
      • Food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils shall be maintained such that they function in the manner intended and can be easily cleaned and sanitized (e.g. scratched and scored cutting boards/utensils).
    • Cleaning and Sanitizing
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be kept clean and sanitary.
  3. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Food Equipment (Design, Construction, Installation and Maintenance)
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be located and maintained such that it functions in the manner intended and can be easily cleaned and sanitized.
  4. Routine Inspection

    8 infractions

    • Frozen Storage
      • Freezers shall be kept in good repair, defrosted regularly, and kept clean.
    • Food Equipment (Design, Construction, Installation and Maintenance)
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be constructed from materials that are suitable for their intended purpose and are durable, easily cleaned and free from any undesirable substance.
    • Food Equipment (Design, Construction, Installation and Maintenance)
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be located and maintained such that it functions in the manner intended and can be easily cleaned and sanitized.
    • Food Contact Surfaces
      • Food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils shall be maintained such that they function in the manner intended and can be easily cleaned and sanitized (e.g. scratched and scored cutting boards/utensils).
    • Food Contact Surfaces
      • Food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils shall be constructed from materials that are suitable for their intended purpose and are durable, easily cleaned and free from any undesirable substance.
    • Manual Dishwashing
      • A suitable (food grade) sanitizer shall be available and at the recommended concentration.
    • Eating Utensils and Dishes
      • Cups, glasses and dishes shall not be chipped or cracked.
    • Hand Washing Station(s)
      • Hand washing stations shall be easily accessible and kept clear at all times.
  5. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Food Contact Surfaces
      • Food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils shall be maintained such that they function in the manner intended and can be easily cleaned and sanitized (e.g. scratched and scored cutting boards/utensils).
    • Cleaning and Sanitizing
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be kept clean and sanitary.
    • Hand Washing Station(s)
      • Paper towel shall be in a dispenser.
    • Hand Washing Station(s)
      • Hand washing stations shall be easily accessible and kept clear at all times.
  6. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Routine Inspection

    16 infractions

    • Acceptable Containers and Labeling
      • Foods must be properly labeled with the item name.
    • Frozen Storage
      • Freezers shall be kept in good repair, defrosted regularly, and kept clean.
    • Refrigerated Storage (Temperature)
      • Thermometers shall be in all refrigerated areas.
    • Refrigerated Storage (Temperature)
      • Refrigeration units must be able to maintain foods at 4°C (40°F) or less.
    • Dry Storage
      • Foods shall be stored in a manner to prevent cross contamination (stored in impervious containers once opened, scoops kept out of bins, not directly on floor).
    • Dry Storage
      • Shelves/cupboards shall be designed to facilitate effective cleaning and sanitation and be of sound construction and in good repair.
    • Thawing Methods
      • Frozen foods shall be thawed under cold running water, in a refrigerator at a temperature of 4°C (40°F) or less, or in a microwave as part of the cooking process.
    • Holding Methods
      • Hot holding temperatures shall be checked regularly and recorded once during every 4 hours of operation (once food is placed in unit) and logs shall be available for inspector review.
    • Personal Hygiene Practices
      • Employees shall wash their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • Food Equipment (Design, Construction, Installation and Maintenance)
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be located and maintained such that it functions in the manner intended and can be easily cleaned and sanitized.
    • Food Equipment (Design, Construction, Installation and Maintenance)
      • Non-food contact equipment shall be constructed from materials that are suitable for their intended purpose and are durable, easily cleaned and free from any undesirable substance.
    • Food Contact Surfaces
      • Food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils shall be constructed from materials that are suitable for their intended purpose and are durable, easily cleaned and free from any undesirable substance.
    • Manual Dishwashing
      • Dishes/utensils shall be washed, rinsed, sanitized and air dried.
    • Cleaning and Sanitizing
      • Wiping cloths used for wiping food spills on food contact surfaces shall not be used for other purposes such as wiping raw foods and shall be routinely cleaned and when not in use kept in separate sanitizing solution which is maintained at an appropriate concentration.
    • Washroom(s)
      • Toilet paper dispensers shall be available.
    • Hand Washing Station(s)
      • Hand washing stations shall not be used for any other purpose.
  8. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Food Contact Surfaces
      • Food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils shall be maintained such that they function in the manner intended and can be easily cleaned and sanitized (e.g. scratched and scored cutting boards/utensils).
    • Detergents and Chemical Use and Storage
      • Sanitizer solution shall be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions on the label (recommended strength and contact time).
    • Walls (Construction and Maintenance)
      • Walls shall be of sound construction and in good repair.

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