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NY NY Body Piercing and Accessories (1700 Wilson Ave.) was issued a ticket following a March 27 inspection. Inspectors allege staff “failed to properly record use of mechanical sterilizer.”
It’s the latest in a string of offences alleged by the city.
In 2011, Toronto Public Health publicly urged customers of the chain’s two locations — on Queen St. W. and Wilson Ave. — to get tested after finding improper infection control practices.
In September 2012, city inspectors issued another order against store owner Reza Sattar for again failing to produce spore tests that showed machines used to sterilize instruments were in working order, the Star/Ryerson investigation reported last year.
Sattar has denied the city’s findings in the past and continues to deny the allegations contained in the current ticket, which comes with a $150 fine.
But he says he will be pleading guilty.
“Inspectors come and they can say anything and give a ticket,” said Sattar, adding he has been in the piercing business for 14 years and has clients across the globe.
“None of them are highly qualified at the health department. I could countersue them or argue, but I don’t want to argue with them anymore. I will plead guilty . . . I don’t want to fight.”
The most recent inspection on the store was satisfactory. Rekha’s Soft Touch Spa and Hair (3351 Markham Rd.) was ticketed by Toronto Public Health inspectors after two straight unsatisfactory inspections in June.
An inspector documented health breaches on June 5, including reuse of “single-use” equipment on clients and insufficient cleaning and disinfection of footbaths.
Four days later, the spa failed inspection again for cleaning and disinfection problems and “surfaces that may be contaminated with blood/body fluids.” The store was fined $250. Rekha Kothari, the owner of the store for the past six years, is challenging the ticket in court.
“I think it’s unfair. That’s why I want to fight it. My customers are very happy here. How can we clean everything right away? We have a client there. I couldn’t understand.”
An inspection of the store later in June found conditions were satisfactory. Pleasant Hair Salon and Nail (1410 Victoria Park Ave.) had two tickets issued in April totalling $600 for reusing tools improperly and not cleaning and disinfecting equipment.
“At time of inspection, no combs were disinfected between clients,” reads the April 7 inspection report. “At time of inspection no electric hair clippers were disinfected between clients . . . Asked operators to clean and disinfect during inspection.” Two days later, an inspector again noted hair clippers were not disinfected.
The shop pleaded guilty to the ticket charge. The shop’s owner did not respond to an interview request. Nature Health Therapy Centre (4385 Sheppard Ave. E.) pleaded guilty to a June ticket fining it $300 for improper cleaning and disinfection and “items not in good repair.”
Along with cleaning and disinfection notes, a June 23 inspection report obtained by the Star said “some nail clippers have signs of rust.” Four days later, another inspection report notes further cleaning and disinfection issues.
On July 2, inspectors again noted rust on nail clippers and said, “Removed again from use. Ensure not to use rusty implements to avoid infections.”