Skip to content
Loading map…

UNCOMMON GROUNDS-SOUTH PARK

1030 SOUTH PARK, HALIFAX · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

UNCOMMON GROUNDS-SOUTH PARK has been inspected 9 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since June 20, 2024. The most recent inspection, on August 20, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

2 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 13 infractions 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 8 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on August 20, 2026. 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;

  • 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 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 8, 2026. 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;

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 20, 2026. 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;

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 3, 2025. For example: 19(2)(a) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (a) a supply of potable hot and cold water at adequate pressure and volume with the appropriate facilities to store and distribute the water and to control the water temperature;

  • 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 July 3, 2025. For example: 27(d) A food establishment must develop and demonstrate policies and procedures for personnel that ensure that a person entering a food handling area or engaging in an operation in a food establishment who comes into contact with food meets all of the following: (d) the person washes their hands as often as is necessary to prevent contamination of food;

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.

9 inspections

  1. Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 20(2) A washroom facility must be constructed, equipped, and designed in accordance with the Nova Scotia Building Code.
      • Ensure the washroom with out of order signage is fixed.
    • 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;
      • Address the mold inside the ice machine. Clean and sanitize the surfaces identified at the time of inspection.
    • 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;
      • Clean and sanitize the surfaces contaminated by pest droppings.
  2. Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. 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;
      • Clean and sanitize the surfaces contaminated with pest droppings.
    • 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.
      • Cleaning logs must accurately capture the tasks.
  4. Inspection

    3 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.
      • Ensure the most recent pest control reports are available for review.
    • 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;
      • Clean and sanitize the surfaces contaminated with pest droppings.
    • 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.
      • Cleaning logs must accurately capture the tasks.
  5. Inspection

    5 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.
      • Ensure the most recent pest control reports are available for review.
    • 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;
      • 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.
    • 20(2) A washroom facility must be constructed, equipped, and designed in accordance with the Nova Scotia Building Code.
      • Ensure paper towels and toilet papers are in their designated dispensers.
    • 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;
      • Clean and sanitize the surfaces contaminated with pest droppings.
    • 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.
      • In accordance with Section 3.1.4 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must maintain records that demonstrate your Quality Assurance (Management) System, including the following: - Cleaning logs
  6. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 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;
      • Ensure the handwash station is accessible at all times and is used only for hand washing.
  7. Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 19(2)(a) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator:     (a) a supply of potable hot and cold water at adequate pressure and volume with the appropriate facilities to store and distribute the water and to control the water temperature;
      • In accordance with Section 2.10(b) of the NS Food Retail and Food Services Code, you must provide hot and cold water, under adequate pressure, and in sufficient quantities to meet the peak demands throughout the food premise.
    • 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;
      • Ensure the staff washroom hand wash station has adequate supplies.
    • 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;
      • 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.
    • 27(d) A food establishment must develop and demonstrate policies and procedures for personnel that ensure that a person entering a food handling area or engaging in an operation in a food establishment who comes into contact with food meets all of the following: (d) the person washes their hands as often as is necessary to prevent contamination of food;
      • Staff must wash their hands in between different tasks.
    • 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;
      • Clean and sanitize the areas affected by pest droppings.
    • 37(1) If directed by an inspector, a food establishment must maintain records that demonstrate the quality assurance system used to ensure food safety in the processing or preparation of a food.
      • In accordance with Section 3.1.4 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must maintain records that demonstrate your Quality Assurance (Management) System, including the following: - Cleaning Logs
  8. Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 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;
      • Staff mentioned that they were using the two-compartment dishwashing sink for handwashing. Noticed dirty dishes in the sinks too. Handwashing must be done at designated handwashing stations.
    • 23(1)(a) All equipment and utensils used to process, prepare, store, serve, sell or display food must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to (a) protect food from contamination;
      • Ice scoops were kept inside the ice machines ( Back Kitchen & FOH ) on ice at the time of inspection. Scoops were moved to containers.
    • 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;
      • Mold build-up inside the ice machine observed during inspection. Clean and sanitize the ice machine immediately. Also, ensure the ice machine is cleaned regularly.
    • 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;
      • Pest droppings were observed throughout the back kitchen and office/storage, especially along the walls and corners. To comply: - Improve cleaning practices - Excess garbage/cardboard that is not in use should not be kept in the facility, cluttered as it promotes pests. - Prepare and maintain a cleaning & disinfection schedule and log and keep it on site.
    • 33(2) The operator must ensure that all refrigeration and heat-holding equipment has a temperature measuring device that is accurate and in good repair.
      • In accordance with Section 4.1.11 of the Nova Scotia Food Services and Food Retail Code, you must: have a functioning thermometer(s) on all heating and cooling equipment; and calibrate all thermometers routinely and maintain calibration logs. Staff was unable to locate thermometers inside the refrigeration units in the back. To comply: - Ensure the thermometers are accessible. - Prepare and maintain a temperature log.
    • 8(2) A permit must be posted in a conspicuous location in the food establishment.
      • Post the permit in a conspicuous location to comply
Own this business? Add a badge to your website