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Al Sham Market

1119 FENNELL AVE E, HAMILTON ON L8T 1S2 · Butcher Shop

Official record from Hamilton →

Inspection summary

Al Sham Market has been inspected 17 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since September 8, 2022. The most recent inspection, on August 27, 2026, found no infractions.

7 of 17 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 10 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 14 times across 10 separate inspections, most recently on August 24, 2026. For example: Food protected from contamination or adulteration

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 7 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on August 24, 2026. For example: Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 24, 2026. For example: Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 13, 2025. For example: Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 17, 2026. For example: Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat

About this data

These results come from City of Hamilton Public Health Services, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

17 inspections

  1. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
  3. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Routine Inspection

    6 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
  5. Complaint

    0 infractions

  6. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Routine Inspection

    5 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
      • Provide paper towels in a dispenser at hand basin in food preparation area
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
    • Adequate record and identifiers for manufactured meats are available and maintained
  9. Routine Inspection

    5 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
      • Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Handle raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods, on separate preparation surfaces, and with separate utensils to prevent contamination
      • Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
    • Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary
  10. Re-inspection

    2 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
  11. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
      • Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
      • Ensure walls are kept clean and in good repair
  12. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  13. Routine Inspection

    8 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
    • Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
  14. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  15. Routine Inspection

    5 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
      • Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
  16. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
      • Maintain and arrange equipment to permit a clean and sanitary condition
      • Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
    • Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
      • Ventilation system requires thorough cleaning
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
  17. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
      • Ventilation system requires thorough cleaning
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
      • Handle raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods, on separate preparation surfaces, and with separate utensils to prevent contamination
    • Hot holding: minimum of 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
      • Ensure food is held above 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating

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