TIM HORTONS
1781 UPPER WATER, HALIFAX · Food Establishment
Inspection summary
TIM HORTONS has been inspected 4 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since August 12, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 20, 2025, recorded 1 infraction.
1 of 4 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 Protecting food from contamination.
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 20, 2025. For example:
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;
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 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 29, 2024. For example:
29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
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 August 29, 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.
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 once on August 12, 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;
Food safety training and certificationLower risk
Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.
Recorded once on August 12, 2024. For example:
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.
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.
4 inspections
- Inspection
1 infraction
- 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;
- Clean and disinfect all areas affected by rodent droppings.
- 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;
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
- Rodent droppings observed on the storage shelves under the tills/cash registers. Clean and sanitize storage areas under the tills/cash registers.
- 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.
- Mold build-up observed on interior surfaces of the ice machine. Discard ice and clean and sanitize the ice machine according to the manufacturers instructions.
- 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
- 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.
- Provide the most recent three months of pest control service reports to the Public Health Officer.
- 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;
- All hand wash sinks must be equipped with paper towel on a dispenser and liquid hand soap.
- 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.
- No staff onsite with valid food hygiene training certification. At least one staff member with valid food hygiene training certification must be onsite during operating hours.
- 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;
- Debris build-up observed on the bagel storage racks. Clean and sanitize the bagel storage racks.
- 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;
- Food and debris build-up observed on the floor under the hand wash station near the entrance. Clean and sanitize the floor.
- 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done:
(b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
- Rodent droppings observed on at floor/wall junctions behind the ice cap machine, on the counter behind the beverage cooler, under the counter by the back hand wash sink, on the storage shelves under the till, and on the floor in the dry storage area. Clean and sanitize areas affected by rodent droppings.
- 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.
- Mold build-up observed on interior surfaces of the ice machine. Discard ice and clean and sanitize the ice machine according to the manufacturers instructions.
- 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.
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