Restaurant Inspections for Food Safety

If a green card is posted, this means that either:

• minimum standards of the Ontario Food Premises Regulation have been met 
• non-critical infractions or minor infractions observed can be followed up during the next inspection

Minor infractions that can be followed up during the next inspection:

• are not a direct risk for causing foodborne illness
• include poor cleaning and sanitation, equipment and surfaces in poor repair
• include things that are not good operating practices
• can include things not fixed for long periods of time that may not contribute to foodborne illness
• are discussed during inspections and a specific time to fix what is wrong is set

If a yellow card is posted, this means that:

• a critical infraction observed by the public health inspector is a significant risk for food borne illness. 

Critical infractions include:

• inadequate cooking and hot/cold holding
• opportunity for cross contamination
• lack of hand washing

Critical infractions are dealt with quickly and re-inspections must be done for things that cannot be permanently fixed during the initial inspection.

If a red card is posted, this means that:

• the food premise is an immediate health risk

The public health inspector will issue a closure order at the time of inspection. A follow-up inspection must take place before re-opening the premise.