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Hamilton Dabbawala

1229 Cannon St E, Hamilton ON L8H 1T8 · Food Take Out

Inspection summary

Hamilton Dabbawala has been inspected 21 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since May 10, 2022. The most recent inspection, on June 25, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

7 of 21 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 6 inspections with 17 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

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 13 times across 11 separate inspections, most recently on June 25, 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 12 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on June 22, 2026. For example: Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 3, 2025. For example: Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

  • 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 December 3, 2025. For example: Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

  • 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 8 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on March 17, 2026. For example: Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment

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.

21 inspections

  1. Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
  2. Routine Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 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
    • 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
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
      • Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
    • Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
      • Maintain sanitary facility clean and in good repair
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
      • Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
  3. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
      • Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
  4. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Re-inspection

    2 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
      • Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
  6. Routine Inspection

    6 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
    • 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
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
      • Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
    • 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
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
  7. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Re-inspection

    2 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
    • 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
  9. Re-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 walls 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 in good repair
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
      • Maintain and arrange furniture to permit a clean and sanitary condition
      • Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Evidence of minor insect / rodent activity
  10. Routine Inspection

    6 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
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
      • Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests
      • Evidence of contamination of food or food contact surfaces (e.g. by rodent droppings and urine or active insect activity)
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
      • Provide sufficient detergent or chemicals for washing or sanitizing
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
  11. Complaint

    0 infractions

  12. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  13. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
  14. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • 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
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
      • Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
  15. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  16. Routine Inspection

    3 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
    • 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
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
  17. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
      • Equip sanitary facility with single service towels or air dryer
  18. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  19. 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
    • 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
  20. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
  21. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

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