The last public musing about Ottawa’s Lunch Lady was April 1, 2012, when it was announced the provider of school meals would reopen after making over 50 kids sick with salmonella.

It’s Canada; lowered expectations are normal.

Back on April Fool’s day, Jonathan Morris, the owner of two Lunch Lady franchises, said the caterer has undergone new testing procedures at their kitchens and redistributed some of the staff duties. He said the kitchens have been thoroughly sterilized and much of the food has been thrown out.

"This problem was rooted in an individual who made a mistake," said Morris, adding that the staff member has since been let go. He said the fired employee made a "mistake" in the preparation that led to the contamination of the food.

There was never a full accounting of what the alleged mistake was. Were the kitchens using meat thermometers to ensure safe temperatures had been reached? What kind of meat storage and prep procedures were followed to minimize cross-contamination? What handwashing procedures were in place and was there any verification such procedures are followed? Basic questions that the Lunch Lady and franchisee Morris seem unwilling to answer.

"My business will survive, but it's not about me, it's about those kids."

Maybe. But I’d want a lot more information before my kids ate there.

Local food folks at least appear to be awake; and yesterday, it was revealed Ottawa Public Health cited the same outfit for failing to store food at 4 C or below.

Jonathan-I-will-survive Morris said, “It wasn’t a failed inspection. It concerned our walk-in fridge which was a little warm since we’re in and out of it all day.”

Ottawa public health types said the Lunch Lady is now in compliance.”

In all, the three Lunch Lady franchises in the city serve about 5,000 children at 55 locations including more than 15 schools throughout Ottawa.

The Nash County Health Department in North Carolina is investigating several reports of gastroenteritis that it says might be associated with Ribeye's Steakhouse off N.C. Highway 64 in Nashville.

Health officials started receiving calls late Thursday about the food poisoning, which they say has symptoms similar to a stomach bug, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. One person who could be connected to this case has been hospitalized.

Health officials said they do not know what type of organism caused the sickness, and test results could take days. They are still investigating to determine its origin.

"We have to look at some other things to make sure it's not a red herring, so we are pursuing that in our investigation too, to make sure the link is true," said Amy Bellflower-Thomas of the Nash County Health Department.

The owner of the restaurant said she was "devastated," and wasn't sure how people could have gotten sick after eating there. As a precaution, she said staff was disinfecting the entire restaurant. 

A Las Vegas local restaurant owner is angry with the Southern Nevada Health District. And he's speaking out after his restaurant was shut down.

"You have no reason to go shut it down, Gabriel Adefris told KTNV. "And you think this list is basically nothing?" asks Darcy. "Nothing. For me nothing, yes," says Gabriel.

He firmly believes his business has been treated unfairly. Gabriel owns the Cottage Cafe on Paradise Road, near Tropicana Avenue. During a recent visit, health inspectors shut down the Ethiopian restaurant with 49 demerits. Anything more than 40 means an automatic closure.

Contact 13 went to the Cottage Cafe to ask about the long list of violations. Gabriel was more than willing to show us around and answer all of our questions.

"What's the deal with the bar? It notes that they told you on December 8 and January 17 to get it permitted. But you failed to do that," says Darcy. "No. I did call them," says Gabriel.

Gabriel claims he tried to make appointments to get his bar inspected. But after leaving multiple messages, he says they never returned his calls.

"So there's no way I could force them to come down here, it's not my job," says Gabriel.

I also asked Gabriel about an employee, inspectors say washed her hands without soap, multiple times.

"That's not true. She washed it, she used soaps all the time here. Nobody use without soap water, there's no way," says Gabriel. "So you think the health inspector is lying?" asks Darcy. "Yes, they're lying. They lie. 100%, they're lying," says Gabriel.

And he didn't stop there. He says health inspectors are too critical. Like citing his restaurant for a dirty can opener he claims was being used by an employee.

"They shouldn't write it down. Small stuff like that you write it down. Once she's done she's got to go and wash it anyways. Right?" says Gabriel. "So she just hadn't gotten to that can opener yet," says Darcy. "Yes. They didn't even give her time," says Gabriel.

But Cottage Cafe has made our Dirty Dining list before. In September of 2010, the restaurant was forced to close its doors with 58 demerits.

Gabriel feels like he's being targeted

"So you believe they're looking for violations and writing down stuff that doesn't exist just to bilk you for money?" asks Darcy. "That's what I think. Because my employees they know what to do. They know their job," says Gabriel.

Gabriel wants customers to know his restaurant is clean and his food is safe.

We spoke with the Health District, which says all restaurants must pass the same regulations. Every inspector's main priority is the public's health and safety and they stand by their report. They also tell us the Cottage Cafe is back open, and operating with a 7 demerit A grade.

Daughter Courtlynn loves her some Subway.

She’ll be pleased to know there’s one at the end of our street, open for brekkie at 7 a.m., and usually occupied by several high school students when I take Sorenne to school at 7:50 a.m.

And it’s the same kids, every day.

It’s convenient and while I do most of the cooking, sometimes life gets in the way and Sorenne and I will pop in for a whole wheat sandwich on our way home. In New York City, Subway has the dubious title of franchise most often closed by health types.

The New York Daily News analyzed Health Department data and found Subway stores were shut down a whopping 55 times in the last five years.

Subway officials insist the majority of its 372 city restaurants live up to its “eat fresh” slogan.

“Nearly 90% of the locations have an ‘A’ rating, and some 30 locations have not received their ratings yet,” said company spokesman Les Winograd. “Violations are not tolerated.”

Despite the 55 Subway shutdowns, City Health Department spokeswoman Chanel Caraway was quick to note that “an individual restaurant’s inspection history does not reflect a chain’s performance.”

Kennedy Fried Chicken franchises came in second with 31 closures, Dunkin’ Donuts had 23, Crown Fried Chicken was third with 22 and Golden Krust rounded out the infamous top five with 20.