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Willow Cafe Bakery

797 W 16th Ave, Vancouver BC V5Z 1S8 · Food Service Establishment 1

Official record from Vancouver Coastal →

Inspection summary

Willow Cafe Bakery has been inspected 18 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since February 23, 2016. The most recent inspection, on April 29, 2026, found no infractions.

7 of 18 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 7 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2025. 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.

  • 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 5 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2025. For example: Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.

  • 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 December 4, 2017. For example: Each employee 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 13 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2025. For example: Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 3 times on February 11, 2021. For example: Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises has been determined

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.

18 inspections

  1. Routine

    0 infractions

  2. 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.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • 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.
      • Food safety plan is not developed.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
  3. Routine

    3 infractions

    • 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.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitation plan is not developed.
  4. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitation plan is not developed.
  5. Routine Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
  6. Routine

    4 infractions

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Mechanical dishwasher/glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action 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.
      • 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.
      • Sanitation plan is not developed.
  7. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  8. Routine

    1 infraction

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
  9. Request

    7 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
    • Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
    • 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
  10. Routine

    0 infractions

  11. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  12. Routine

    1 infraction

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
  13. Routine

    0 infractions

  14. Routine

    0 infractions

  15. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  16. 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.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • Each employee 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.
    • 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.
    • Trans fat requirements are met.
  17. Routine

    3 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.
    • Employee hygiene is maintained.
    • 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.
  18. Routine

    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.

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