UNIVERSAL GROCERY

Inspection summary

UNIVERSAL GROCERY has been inspected 2 times by Ottawa Public Health since April 28, 2025. The most recent inspection, on June 15, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

None of the 2 inspections on record were free of infractions. 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 Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 15, 2026. For example: Potentially hazardous foods are distributed, maintained, stored, transported, displayed, sold and offered for sale in which the internal temperature is at 4°C (40°F) or lower or 60°C (140°F) or higher.

• 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 on April 28, 2025. For example: Multi-service utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use.

• 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 April 28, 2025. For example: Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.

• Equipment and utensilsLower risk

  Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

  Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 15, 2026. For example: All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.

• 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 April 28, 2025. For example: A person giving notice of an intention to commence to operate a food premise to the medical officer of health under subsection 16(2) of the Health Protection and Promotion Act shall include his or her name, contact information and the location of the food premise in the notice.

About this data

These results come from Ottawa Public 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.

• View the official Ottawa Public Health disclosure site
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