Skip to content
Loading map…

GWALIA SWEETS AND RESTAURANT

1379 UPPER JAMES ST, HAMILTON ON L9B 1K2 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

GWALIA SWEETS AND RESTAURANT has been inspected 15 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since April 11, 2024. The most recent inspection, on June 12, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

2 of 15 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Pests.

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.

  • 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 12 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on June 12, 2026. For example: Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed

  • 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 11 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on June 9, 2026. For example: Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on June 9, 2026. For example: Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

  • 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 June 9, 2026. For example: Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less

  • 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 February 2, 2026. For example: Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

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.

15 inspections

  1. Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
  2. Routine Inspection

    4 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
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
  3. Routine Inspection

    7 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 station must be used only for hand washing of employees
      • Ensure hand washing basin is unobstructed and accessible for hand washing
    • 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
    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
    • Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure food handlers refrain from conduct causing contamination of food and food areas
  4. Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure food handlers confine hair while handling food
  5. Routine Inspection

    8 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
      • Ensure walls 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
      • Provide soap in a dispenser at hand basin in the food preparation area
    • 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
      • Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
  6. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • Operator ensured the results of any inspection conducted by a public health inspector are posted in accordance with the inspector's request
      • Post disclosure sign in a location visible by patrons.
  8. Re-inspection

    4 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
    • 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
      • Ensure food contact equipment and utensils are free from cracks, crevices and open seams
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
      • Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
      • Maintain sanitary facility clean and in good repair
  9. Routine Inspection

    9 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
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
      • Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
    • 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 food contact equipment and utensils are free from cracks, crevices and open seams
    • Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
      • Ensure wiping cloths are kept in a sanitizing solution when not in use
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
      • Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • 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 a supply of toilet paper
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
  10. Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Evidence of minor insect / rodent activity
  11. Routine Inspection

    9 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
    • 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
    • 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
      • Ensure food contact equipment and utensils are free from cracks, crevices and open seams
      • Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner
    • 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
    • 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
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
      • Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
    • Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure food handlers confine hair while handling food
  12. Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
      • Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
  13. Routine Inspection

    4 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
      • Ensure floors, walls, and ceilings are tight, smooth, and non-absorbent
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are of sound and tight construction
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests
      • Evidence of minor insect / rodent activity
    • 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
  14. Routine Inspection

    8 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 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
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • Ensure equipment, utensils, and multi-service articles are suitable for intended purposes (food-grade)
    • 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
    • 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 is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
  15. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website