Fine Grind Cafe
37 James St, St. Catharines ON L2R 5B4 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
Fine Grind Cafe has been inspected 5 times by Niagara Region Public Health since December 11, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 9, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.
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.
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 7, 2026. For example:
Washrooms are provided, properly equipped, in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner.
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 once on October 9, 2026. For example:
Handwashing stations are maintained and kept adequately supplied.
Food safety training and certificationLower risk
Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 9, 2026. For example:
An adequate number of handwashing stations are provided, conveniently accessible for food handlers, and used only for handwashing of employees.
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.
Recorded once on December 17, 2025. For example:
Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
Other findingsLower risk
Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.
Recorded once on December 17, 2025. For example:
Food premise is kept clean and maintained in a sanitary condition.
About this data
These results come from Niagara Region Public Health, 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.
5 inspections
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- Handwashing stations are maintained and kept adequately supplied.
- An adequate number of handwashing stations are provided, conveniently accessible for food handlers, and used only for handwashing of employees.
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- Washrooms are provided, properly equipped, in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner.
- Raw food is separate from cooked and/or ready-to-eat foods during storage and handling.
- An adequate number of handwashing stations are maintained and kept adequately supplied and are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Food premise is kept clean and maintained in a sanitary condition.
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Washrooms are provided, properly equipped, in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner.
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
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