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HAMILTON AFRICAN STORE CARRIBEAN

858 UPPER JAMES ST, HAMILTON · Restaurant

Inspection summary

HAMILTON AFRICAN STORE CARRIBEAN has been inspected 8 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since August 22, 2022. The most recent inspection, on May 15, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

1 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Chemicals and toxic substances.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 15, 2026. For example: Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred

  • 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 November 13, 2025. For example: Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 8, 2025. For example: Toxic or poisonous substances required for maintenance in food premises are stored and handled as prescribed in the regulation

  • 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 May 8, 2025. 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 once on April 9, 2024. For example: Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained

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.

8 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
      • Clean and sanitize multi-service articles after each use and as often as necessary
      • Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces or equipment as often as necessary
  2. Routine 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
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
  3. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 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
    • 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
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
  4. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

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

    2 infractions

    • No room with food is used for sleeping purposes
      • No food area is to be used for sleeping
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
      • Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
  6. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Routine Inspection

    5 infractions

    • No room with food is used for sleeping purposes
    • Illumination maintained in food premise as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code)
    • Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
  8. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
      • Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation

Nearby inspected facilities

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