INDIAN EXPRESS
02 640 UPPER JAMES STREET, HAMILTON ON L9C 7L7 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
INDIAN EXPRESS has been inspected 19 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since April 13, 2022. The most recent inspection, on September 28, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.
5 of 19 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 14 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 21 times across 14 separate inspections, most recently on September 28, 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 14 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on May 26, 2026. For example:
Food protected from contamination or adulteration
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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 26, 2026. 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 14, 2024. 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 2, 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.
19 inspections
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Re-inspection
1 infraction
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Routine Inspection
7 infractions
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
- Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
- Ventilation system requires thorough cleaning
- Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
- Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Food in storage protected from contamination
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
5 infractions
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests
- Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
- Routine 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
- 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
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Routine Inspection
3 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
- 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
- Evidence of minor insect / rodent activity
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
7 infractions
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- 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 ceilings are kept clean and in good repair
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Ensure manual dishwashing includes the three steps: wash, rinse, and sanitize
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Protect food from contamination and adulteration
- Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
- Routine Inspection
5 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
- 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 are cleaned and sanitized
- Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
- Maintenance of sanitary facilities
- Equip sanitary facility with a durable, easy to clean garbage can
- Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
- Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
4 infractions
- 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 in good repair
- Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
- 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 are clean and practice good personal hygiene
- Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
12 infractions
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- 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
- Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
- Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
- Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
- Maintenance of sanitary facilities
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
- Certified food handler present in the food service premise
- Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
12 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 ceilings are kept clean and in good repair
- Ensure walls 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
- Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
- Illumination maintained in food premise as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code)
- Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
- 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
- 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
- Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
- Sanitary facilities maintained as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code)
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Protect food from contamination and adulteration
- Cover all food in storage
- Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
- Ensure food handlers wear clean outer garments
- Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Routine Inspection
7 infractions
- 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
- Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
- Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Frozen food storage and handling
- Certified food handler present in the food service premise
- Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
- Routine Inspection
3 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 ceilings are kept clean and in good repair
- 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
- 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
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Routine Inspection
3 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
- Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
- Maintain ventilation system to ensure elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Protect food from contamination and adulteration
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
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