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Uncle Sal's Shawarma

137 9040 Blundell Rd, Richmond BC V6Y 1K3 · Food Service Establishment 1

Inspection summary

Uncle Sal's Shawarma has been inspected 17 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since March 16, 2021. The most recent inspection, on July 8, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

4 of 17 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

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.

  • 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 10 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 8, 2026. For example: Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.

  • 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 8 separate inspections, most recently on August 22, 2025. For example: All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 20, 2023. For example: The premises is free 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 22, 2025. For example: Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.

  • 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 20 times across 12 separate inspections, most recently on August 22, 2025. For example: Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.

About this data

These results come from Vancouver Coastal 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.

17 inspections

  1. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not thawed using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a hot holding temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored or displayed at 60°C or above.
  2. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  3. Routine

    3 infractions

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
      • Wiping cloths are not clean, restricted in use and/or stored in approved sanitizing solution.
      • Manual dishwashing procedure is improper to remove contamination.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Test strips are not available to monitor sanitizer level.
  4. Routine

    4 infractions

    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution concentration is too high.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Test strips are not available to monitor sanitizer level.
  5. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  6. Routine

    8 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not designed and/or supplied with equipment that will ensure the safe and sanitary handling of food.
    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • Potentially hazardous food is cooked/reheated in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooked thoroughly and to appropriate internal temperature.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a hot holding temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored or displayed at 60°C or above.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
      • Manual dishwashing procedure is improper to remove contamination.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Procedures in the food safety plan are not being followed.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  7. Routine

    0 infractions

  8. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled from 60°C to 21°C within two hours, and then from 21°C to 4°C within four hours.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Frozen potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of – 18°C or below.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained in a manner that prevents contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
      • Food safety plan is not maintained to reflect the current menu.
  9. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  10. Routine Follow-up

    4 infractions

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Test strips are not available to monitor sanitizer level.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  11. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is at a hot holding temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored or displayed at 60°C or above.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitation plan is not developed.
      • Test strips are not available to monitor sanitizer level.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  12. Routine Follow-up

    3 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitation plan is not developed.
  13. Request Follow-up

    3 infractions

    • COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patron count
    • Operator assessed their premises and taken steps to prevent congregation of patrons near or outside their premises
    • Daily worker health check in place
  14. Request Follow-up

    3 infractions

    • COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patron count
    • Operator assessed their premises and taken steps to prevent congregation of patrons near or outside their premises
    • Daily worker health check in place
  15. Routine Follow-up

    8 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not thawed using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a hot holding temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitation plan is not developed.
    • The premises is free of pests.
  16. Request

    10 infractions

    • COVID-19 Safety Plan developed and in use
    • COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patron count
    • Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises has been determined
    • Maximum number of patrons allows for 2m separation between patrons of different parties at all times
    • 2m separation maintained between patrons of different parties, except when partition in place
    • Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
    • Maximum of 6 patrons per table
    • No events over 50 people on premises
    • Operator assessed their premises and taken steps to prevent congregation of patrons near or outside their premises
    • Physical devices or markers are used to assist patrons in maintaining physical distance
  17. Routine

    8 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • The Permit to Operate a food service establishment is valid and is posted in a conspicuous location.
      • Premises does not have a valid Permit to Operate.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
      • Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
      • An accurate thermometer is not provided for temperature monitoring.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitation plan is not developed.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.

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