Van. Tea Cafe
5688 Main St, Vancouver BC V5W 2S7 · Food Service Establishment 1
Inspection summary
Van. Tea Cafe has been inspected 23 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since October 31, 2017. The most recent inspection, on October 1, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.
4 of 23 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 25 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Protecting food from contamination.
The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.
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 18 times across 15 separate inspections, most recently on October 1, 2026. For example:
The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
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 17 times across 10 separate inspections, most recently on September 17, 2026. For example:
Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
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 13 times across 12 separate inspections, most recently on September 17, 2026. For example:
Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
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 7 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on October 1, 2026. For example:
Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
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 October 1, 2026. For example:
The premises is free of pests.
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.
23 inspections
- Routine Follow-up
4 infractions
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Premises is not in adequate repair.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- 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.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Premises has signs of insect activity.
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine
7 infractions
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
- Food is not properly covered and protected from contamination.
- 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 cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
- 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.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- 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.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Premises has signs of insect activity.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Routine Follow-up
5 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.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
- Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
- 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 low.
- 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.
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine
9 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.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
- 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 cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
- 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.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
- 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.
- Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
- Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
3 infractions
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- 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.
- Routine Follow-up
1 infraction
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Routine
2 infractions
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
5 infractions
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- 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.
- Routine
2 infractions
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
3 infractions
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
5 infractions
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- 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.
- Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
- Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.
- Routine
6 infractions
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Routine
4 infractions
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is stored in a manner that promotes cross contamination.
- Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
- Food is not properly covered and protected from contamination.
- Food is not stored off of floor.
- 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.
- 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.
- Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
- Hand washing station is obstructed or being used for other purposes.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Routine Follow-up
1 infraction
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
- Food is not stored off of floor.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Routine
4 infractions
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
- Food is not properly covered and protected from contamination.
- Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
- 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 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.
- Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained in a sanitary condition.
- Sanitizing solution is not present or at insufficient concentration.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Routine Follow-up
3 infractions
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
- Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
- 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 at a hot holding temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored or displayed at 60°C or above.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Routine
3 infractions
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Food is not stored in suitable containers.
- Food is not properly covered and protected from contamination.
- Food is in contact with non-corrosion resistant or toxic materials.
- 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.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not in a condition that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
- Routine Follow-up
1 infraction
- Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine
5 infractions
- Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated 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.
- Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- 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.
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