Health Inspection Information

The inspection history for the business you selected is displayed below. Each inspection may have zero or more violations. A health inspection report is a "snapshot" of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment could have more or fewer violations than noted here. Inspections are based on regulations to eliminate risk factors for illness or injury. Every violation is coded indicating the degree of risk in causing an illness or injury.

  • Critical, Major, or Foodborne Illness Risk Factor Violations: These violations are more likely than other violations to contribute to illness or injury. Inspectors work with operators to make sure that these violations are corrected whenever feasible before they leave the establishment. A re-inspection may be scheduled to verify compliance.
  • Non-Critical, Minor or Good Retail Practice Violations: These violations are not directly related to the cause of illness or injury, but if uncorrected, could negatively affect the operation of the facility, such as maintenance and cleanliness.

Please Note: Tri-County converted to a new database in July 2013. Any inspections listed prior to July 2013 only display the date and type of inspection, but not the inspector comments because of the database conversion. For inspection reports prior to July 2013 please submit a written request to EHInspections@tchd.org.


Facility Details
Program Food
Facility Name Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Business Name Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Address 3440 S Tower Rd
Aurora, CO 80013-5712
Phone 303-680-2344

Inspection Details
04/11/2022 Inspection, Routine
10 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector Comments: 6-301.12 Hand Drying Provision (Pf) Paper towels were not provided at the hand sink next to the produce wash sink. Corrective action: The person in charge refilled the paper towels. Paper towels were not provided at the hand sink in the scullery room. Corrective action: Discussed refilling the paper towels with the person in charge. 5-202.12 Handwashing Sinks, Installation (Pf) Hot water (94°F) of at least 100°F was not available at the hand sink in the men's restroom. Hot water (72°F) of at least 100°F was not available at the hand sink in the demonstration kitchen. Corrective action: Discussing having the hand sinks serviced so that hot water of at least 100°F is always available with the person in charge.
13 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated
Inspector Comments: 3-202.15 Package Integrity (Pf) Two dented cans of diced tomatoes and one dented can of crushed tomatoes were stored with wholesome cans in aisle eight. Corrective action: The cans were moved to the dented can area.
49 - Good Retail Practices
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector Comments: 4-601.11(C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (C) The fan covers in the produce walk-in refrigerator were soiled.
55 - Good Retail Practices
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector Comments: 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C) The ventilation fan covers in the men's and women's restroom were soiled.
05/02/2018 Inspection, Routine
06c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Hand Washing: Soap and drying devices
Inspector Comments: The grill line hand sink in the demonstration kitchen was not provided with paper towels. Manager placed paper towels at the hand sink.
08a - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly stored
Inspector Comments: A bottle of bleach was stored above clean dishes on the rack above the demonstration kitchen three compartment sink. The chemical was re-located to an appropriate location.
08b - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly labeled
Inspector Comments: Several chemical spray bottles located under the produce room preparation table were unlabeled as to their contents. The chemicals were labeled by the manager.
10a - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: A cutting board in the produce preparation area was deeply pitted.
06/03/2016 Inspection, Follow-Up
05/16/2016 Inspection, Follow-Up
08b - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly labeled
Inspector Comments: Observed on 5/16/16: Hot water of at least 100°F was not supplied to the porduce area hand sink and the demo kitchen hand sink. Hot water of at least 110°F was not provided to the produce area three-compartment sink and the demo kitchen hand sink.
04/14/2016 Inspection, Routine
05b - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Hot and cold water under pressure
Inspector Comments: Hot water was 84°F and the produce area hand sink and did not reach at least 100°F. Hot water at the produce area three-compartment sink was 91°F and did not reach at least 110°F. Cold water was not provided to the demo kitchen three-compartment sink.
08b - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly labeled
Inspector Comments: The small dropper bottle of bleach was unlabeled as to its contents in the produce area preparation room.
13b - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Single service articles stored, used
Inspector Comments: There were several boxes of single-serve peanut butter containers stored on the floor of the demo kitchen.
14c - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Floors, walls, and ceilings
Inspector Comments: There was a small hole in the south side corner of the electric room.
12/29/2015 Inspection, First Operational

Please Note: Tri-County converted to a new database in July 2013. Any inspections listed prior to July 2013 only display the date and type of inspection, but not the inspector comments because of the database conversion. For inspection reports prior to July 2013 please submit a written request to EHInspections@tchd.org.


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