KARDAMOM KITCHEN
1400 UPPER JAMES ST, HAMILTON ON · Food Take Out
Inspection summary
KARDAMOM KITCHEN has been inspected 14 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since September 12, 2024. The most recent inspection, on May 25, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.
4 of 14 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 9 inspections with 40 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.
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.
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 15 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on May 25, 2026. For example:
Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
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 9 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on April 7, 2026. For example:
Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 25, 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 April 2, 2026. For example:
Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
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 October 30, 2025. For example:
Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
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.
14 inspections
- Routine Inspection
5 infractions
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
- Ventilation system requires thorough cleaning
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Cover all food in storage
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Hot holding: minimum of 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
- Re-inspection
1 infraction
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Complaint
10 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
- 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
- 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
- Maintain and arrange furniture to permit a clean and sanitary condition
- Maintain and arrange equipment to permit a clean and sanitary condition
- Maintain and arrange appliances to permit a clean and sanitary condition
- 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
- 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
- Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
- Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary
- Ensure food handlers refrain from conduct causing contamination of food and food areas
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- Re-inspection
2 infractions
- Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- 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
- Ensure walls are kept clean and in good repair
- 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
- Maintain and arrange equipment to permit a clean and sanitary condition
- Maintain and arrange appliances to permit a clean and sanitary condition
- 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
- 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
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Complaint
0 infractions
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Re-inspection
7 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
- 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
- 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
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
- Hot holding: minimum of 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
- Ensure food is held above 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Routine Inspection
9 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
- 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
- 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
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Cover all food in storage
- Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
- Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
- Ensure food handlers confine hair while handling food
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- Complaint
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
9 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Thaw all hazardous foods maintaining a temperature of 4°C (40°F) or less
- Hot holding: minimum of 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
- Ensure food is held above 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- Re-inspection
1 infraction
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- Routine Inspection
6 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
- Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards
- Ensure floors 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 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 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
- Evidence of minor insect / rodent activity
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Cover all food in storage
- Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
- Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
- The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
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