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TIM HORTONS

14 HIGHFIELD PARK, DARTMOUTH · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

TIM HORTONS has been inspected 7 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since November 9, 2023. The most recent inspection, on March 4, 2026, found no infractions.

3 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 14 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 10 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 12, 2026. For example: 19(1)(b) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (b) that operations are carried out in an area of the food establishment that is sanitized and appropriate to the operation;

  • 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 December 22, 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 December 22, 2025. 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 22, 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.

  • 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 19, 2025. For example: 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;

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.

7 inspections

  1. Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 19(1)(b) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:  (b) that operations are carried out in an area of the food establishment that is sanitized and appropriate to the operation;
      • Gaps observed in various areas of the food establishment: gap at the bottom wall joint in the corner wall of walk-in cooler, floor gap around dishwasher floor drain, gap at corner wall joint by dishwasher area. Also, install floor drain in front of walk-in cooler. In accordance with Section 2.3 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must keep all floors, walls and ceilings in food preparation, processing and storage areas in good repair. In accordance with Section 2.4.2 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure all floors are kept clean and in good repair.
    • 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;
      • Hook up dishwasher to plumbing/electrical and supplied with chemical agents. In accordance with Section 4.2.1 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must demonstrate that a written sanitation program is in place, which: a. Outlines the parameters to be controlled in the food premises to ensure safety of the food product. b. Includes sanitation procedures for equipment, utensils or refrigeration units that impact on food safety, which must specify: i. areas, items of equipment, and utensils to be cleaned; ii. the designated food handler(s) responsible for the cleaning and sanitizing; iii. the chemicals and/or cleaning products (including concentrations) and process to be used; iv. the procedures used; v. the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing; and vi. inspection and monitoring records. c. Documents that the sanitation program is monitored and its effectiveness verified. d. Reflects the level of risk of the food products as determined by the management plan required in Section 3.0 of this Code.
  3. Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 19(1)(b) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:  (b) that operations are carried out in an area of the food establishment that is sanitized and appropriate to the operation;
      • Gaps observed in various areas of the food establishment: gap at the bottom wall joint in the corner wall of walk-in cooler, floor gap around dishwasher floor drain, gap at corner wall joint by dishwasher area. Also, install floor drain in front of walk-in cooler. In accordance with Section 2.3 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must keep all floors, walls and ceilings in food preparation, processing and storage areas in good repair. In accordance with Section 2.4.2 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure all floors are kept clean and in good repair.
    • 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 bottom door sweeps in the maintenance room and back exit doors. In accordance with Section 2.17 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure exterior openings are protected against the entry of pests. Seal wall to floor joints under handwashing sink area of the staff washroom, and along back hallway. Wall to floor junctures must be coved. Install baseboards. In accordance with Section 2.4.1 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure floors have coved floor-to-wall joints.
    • 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;
      • Provide all available handwashing stations throughout the food establishment with hot and cold running potable water, soap and paper towel in dispensers handwashing supplies. In accordance with Section 2.14 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must provide at least one hand washing station in each food preparation area. In accordance with Section 2.15 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must equip toilet rooms for staff and the public with hand washing stations.
    • 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;
      • Hook up dishwasher to plumbing/electrical and supplied with chemical agents. In accordance with Section 4.2.1 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must demonstrate that a written sanitation program is in place, which: a. Outlines the parameters to be controlled in the food premises to ensure safety of the food product. b. Includes sanitation procedures for equipment, utensils or refrigeration units that impact on food safety, which must specify: i. areas, items of equipment, and utensils to be cleaned; ii. the designated food handler(s) responsible for the cleaning and sanitizing; iii. the chemicals and/or cleaning products (including concentrations) and process to be used; iv. the procedures used; v. the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing; and vi. inspection and monitoring records. c. Documents that the sanitation program is monitored and its effectiveness verified. d. Reflects the level of risk of the food products as determined by the management plan required in Section 3.0 of this Code.
    • 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.
      • Front cooler service storing potentially hazardous foods (PHFs) unplugged at the time of inspection. PHFs relocated to working cooler immediately. In accordance with Section 3.3.3 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must store potentially hazardous foods at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius or less
  4. Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 19(1)(b) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:  (b) that operations are carried out in an area of the food establishment that is sanitized and appropriate to the operation;
      • Gaps observed in various areas of the food establishment: gap at the bottom wall joint in the corner wall of walk-in cooler, floor gap around dishwasher floor drain, gap at corner wall joint by dishwasher area. Also, install floor drain in front of walk-in cooler. In accordance with Section 2.3 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must keep all floors, walls and ceilings in food preparation, processing and storage areas in good repair. In accordance with Section 2.4.2 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure all floors are kept clean and in good repair.
    • 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:  (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
      • Ceiling tiles are missing in various areas of the food establishment. Install ceiling tiles. Seal / paint the bare wood wall along the back hallway, as well as the concrete wall patches. Replace the wood in disrepair in the bottom of wall area in the back hallway. In accordance with Section 2.3 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure walls and ceilings are constructed of finishes which are smooth, impermeable, and washable. In accordance with Section 2.9 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure storage areas are constructed of materials which are durable and easily cleaned.
    • 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 bottom door sweeps in the maintenance room and back exit doors. In accordance with Section 2.17 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure exterior openings are protected against the entry of pests. Seal wall to floor joints under handwashing sink area of the staff washroom, and along back hallway. Wall to floor junctures must be coved. Install baseboards. In accordance with Section 2.4.1 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure floors have coved floor-to-wall joints.
    • 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;
      • Provide all available handwashing stations throughout the food establishment with hot and cold running potable water, soap and paper towel in dispensers handwashing supplies. In accordance with Section 2.14 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must provide at least one hand washing station in each food preparation area. In accordance with Section 2.15 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must equip toilet rooms for staff and the public with hand washing stations.
    • 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;
      • General cleaning of the food establishment is required. There's mold growth in the undercounter cooler located at the front service line. Clean and sanitize cooler. Mold growth in janitorial sink and wall surfaces. Rodent droppings observed on the floor in maintenance room. In accordance with Section 4.2.2 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must ensure non-food contact surfaces of equipment must be cleaned at a frequency that will prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. In accordance with Section 4.2.3 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must: a. ensure food contact surfaces of cooking equipment are cleaned and sanitized at a frequency that prevents the accumulation of grease deposits and other residues.
    • 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;
      • Hook up dishwasher to plumbing/electrical and supplied with chemical agents. In accordance with Section 4.2.1 of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must demonstrate that a written sanitation program is in place, which: a. Outlines the parameters to be controlled in the food premises to ensure safety of the food product. b. Includes sanitation procedures for equipment, utensils or refrigeration units that impact on food safety, which must specify: i. areas, items of equipment, and utensils to be cleaned; ii. the designated food handler(s) responsible for the cleaning and sanitizing; iii. the chemicals and/or cleaning products (including concentrations) and process to be used; iv. the procedures used; v. the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing; and vi. inspection and monitoring records. c. Documents that the sanitation program is monitored and its effectiveness verified. d. Reflects the level of risk of the food products as determined by the management plan required in Section 3.0 of this Code.
    • 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.
      • In accordance with Section 4.2.1(b) of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must identify all cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the Food Establishment and their concentrations.
  5. Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. 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.
      • Dishwasher requires maintenance. Repair or replace the mechanical dishwasher. All equipment must be maintained in good working order.
    • 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;
      • Few pest droppings observed on the lower shelving next to the back door. Thoroughly clean and sanitize the area.
  7. Inspection

    0 infractions

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