Em Oi Vietnamese
542 Upper Wellington St, Hamilton ON L9A 3P5 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
Em Oi Vietnamese has been inspected 16 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since August 31, 2022. The most recent inspection, on October 2, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.
2 of 16 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 11 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Protecting food from contamination and Cleaning and sanitizing.
Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.
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.
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 13 times across 11 separate inspections, most recently on July 28, 2026. For example:
Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
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 10 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example:
Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
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 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 28, 2026. For example:
Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk
Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.
Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 2, 2025. For example:
Toxic or poisonous substances required for maintenance in food premises are stored and handled as prescribed in the regulation
PestsHigher risk
Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example:
Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
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.
16 inspections
- Routine Inspection
4 infractions
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
- Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
- Ensure hand washing basin is unobstructed and accessible for hand washing
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Maintenance of sanitary facilities
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Re-inspection
10 infractions
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- Maintain premise free from conditions that may, be a health hazard, adversely affecting the sanitary operation of the premises
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Ensure ceilings are kept clean and in good repair
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
- 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
- Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
- Collect and remove garbage and waste as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions
- Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
- Contact licensed pest control operator for insect / rodent / pest treatment and control
- Evidence of minor insect / rodent activity
- Toxic or poisonous substances required for maintenance in food premises are stored and handled as prescribed in the regulation
- Store toxic/poisonous substances in container bearing identifying labels
- Maintenance of sanitary facilities
- Equip sanitary facility with single service towels or air dryer
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Cover all food in storage
- Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Thaw all hazardous foods maintaining a temperature of 4°C (40°F) or less
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- Routine Inspection
9 infractions
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- Maintain premise free from conditions that may, be a health hazard, adversely affecting the sanitary operation of the premises
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Ensure ceilings are kept clean and in good repair
- 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
- Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
- Collect and remove garbage and waste as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions
- Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
- Change sanitizing solution for wiping cloths at a minimum of every 2 hours, or as often as necessary, to maintain the solution clean and sanitary at all times
- Ensure wiping cloths are kept in a sanitizing solution when not in use
- Keep cloths clean, in good repair, and restricted to a single task
- Provide sanitizing solution for wiping cloths/rinsing large utensils/rinsing food contact surfaces
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Ensure wash water is between 60°C and 71°C
- Toxic or poisonous substances required for maintenance in food premises are stored and handled as prescribed in the regulation
- Store toxic/poisonous substances in container bearing identifying labels
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Cover all food in storage
- Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Thaw all hazardous foods maintaining a temperature of 4°C (40°F) or less
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- Routine Inspection
7 infractions
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Ensure ceilings 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
- Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
- Collect and remove garbage and waste as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
- Toxic or poisonous substances required for maintenance in food premises are stored and handled as prescribed in the regulation
- Store toxic/poisonous substances in container bearing identifying labels
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
- Certified food handler present in the food service premise
- Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Re-inspection
1 infraction
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Ensure wash water is between 60°C and 71°C
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Re-inspection
1 infraction
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
- Ensure wash water is between 60°C and 71°C
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Re-inspection
1 infraction
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Ensure wash water is between 60°C and 71°C
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
- Change sanitizing solution for wiping cloths at a minimum of every 2 hours, or as often as necessary, to maintain the solution clean and sanitary at all times
- Ensure wiping cloths are kept in a sanitizing solution when not in use
- Keep cloths clean, in good repair, and restricted to a single task
- Provide sanitizing solution for wiping cloths/rinsing large utensils/rinsing food contact surfaces
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
- Ensure wash water is between 60°C and 71°C
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
- Routine Inspection
7 infractions
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
- Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
- Ensure equipment, utensils, and multi-service articles are suitable for intended purposes (food-grade)
- Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
- Maintain ventilation system in manner not permitting health hazard
- Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
- Change sanitizing solution for wiping cloths at a minimum of every 2 hours, or as often as necessary, to maintain the solution clean and sanitary at all times
- Ensure wiping cloths are kept in a sanitizing solution when not in use
- Keep cloths clean, in good repair, and restricted to a single task
- Provide sanitizing solution for wiping cloths/rinsing large utensils/rinsing food contact surfaces
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
- Toxic or poisonous substances required for maintenance in food premises are stored and handled as prescribed in the regulation
- Store toxic/poisonous substances in container bearing identifying labels
- Maintenance of sanitary facilities
- Equip sanitary facility with single service towels or air dryer
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
- Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
- Ensure clean wash / rinse water is provided
- Ensure hot water sanitizer is at 82°C or greater for at least 10 seconds
- Ensure wash water is between 60°C and 71°C
- Iodine concentration must be at least 25 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
- Provide sufficient detergent or chemicals for washing or sanitizing
- Quaternary ammonium compound must be at least 200 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
- Provide an easily readable thermometer for the dishwashing and sanitizing temperatures
- Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
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