16 Montreal-area restaurants and grocers fined for hygiene violations in September

Sixteen Montreal-area restaurants and grocery stores were fined in September 2026 for violating Quebec's food safety laws, with penalties reaching up to $6,500.

The convictions, published by Quebec's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), were for infractions related to food conservation, equipment cleanliness and the presence of contaminants like pests. The fines were issued by the Montreal municipal court for violations observed during inspections that occurred months or even years earlier.

Les Aliments J.P.A. Ltée, an epicerie-boucherie, received the largest total fine of $6,500 for three separate violations. It was fined $500 for having food-contact surfaces that were not impermeable or resistant to cleaning, and $6,000 total for two separate instances where the premises were not free of contaminants, pollutants, animals, insects, rodents or their excrement.

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The specific infraction for the $500 fine stated: "Les surfaces du matériel, de l'équipement, des ustensiles et des contenants qui entrent en contact direct avec les produits, à l'exception des fruits et légumes frais entiers qui ne font pas l'objet de préparation, doivent être faites d'un matériau : 1. qui ne peut être corrodé : résistant aux opérations de lavage, de nettoyage ou de désinfection : 3. non toxique et non en état ou en voie de putréfaction : 4. non absorbant et imperméable : 5. inaltérable par les produits et fabriqué de façon à ne pas altérer les produits. Ces surfaces doivent être exemptes de particules détachables, d'aspérités ou de fissures."

Marché Ghanacan was fined for a violation stating: "Le lieu ou le véhicule doit être exempt de contaminants, de polluants, de toute espèce d'animaux, y compris les insectes et les rongeurs, ou de leurs excréments."

Boulangerie Charcuterie Renfell was fined $1,500 for unclean premises and equipment and $1,700 for a contamination violation. The cleanliness infraction stated: "Les lieux, véhicules, équipements, matériaux et ustensiles servant à la préparation au conditionnement, à l'entreposage, au transport, à l'étiquetage et au service des produits, ainsi que les autres installations et locaux sanitaires, doivent être propres."

Restaurant Yuan Lei Gourmet at 4880 boul. des Sources in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Kazo Ramen, and a Tim Hortons at 5778 rue Notre-Dame Est in Montreal were all fined for failing to keep their premises, vehicles, equipment and utensils clean.

Osuka Sushi at 4409 boul. Saint-Laurent in Montreal was fined because its premises were not free of contaminants, pollutants or pests. The restaurant had also been fined $3,000 by MAPAQ in June 2026.

Kalye Restaurant was fined for the same contamination violation.

Marché C&T at 12200 boul. Laurentien in Montreal was fined because "Dans un local ou véhicule utilisé pour la préparation de produits, les planchers doivent être non absorbants, lavables, sans fissures et exempts de bran de scie, de carton, de sel ou de toute matière sèche ou humide." The market had also received $5,600 in MAPAQ fines between February and April 2026.

Rôtisserie Saint-Hubert at 2939 boul. Saint-Charles in Kirkland was fined for a contamination violation.

The ministry said inspections in Montreal are carried out by city inspectors under an agreement with MAPAQ. When shortcomings are found, prosecutions can be initiated to protect public health.

The published convictions reflect the situation at the time of the inspection, not necessarily the current state of the businesses, as court procedures can stretch over many months.

With files from Narcity