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LINKS CARIBBEAN MARKET

1621 MAIN ST E, HAMILTON ON L8H 1C4 · Food Shop

Official record from Hamilton →

Inspection summary

LINKS CARIBBEAN MARKET has been inspected 7 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since January 13, 2025. The most recent inspection, on June 12, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

None of the 7 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing 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.

  • 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 9 times across 6 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

  • 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 5 separate inspections, most recently on June 9, 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on June 12, 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 3 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 once on September 4, 2025. 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.

7 inspections

  1. Re-inspection

    2 infractions

    • 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
      • Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests
  2. Routine Inspection

    10 infractions

    • The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
      • Evidence of contamination of food or food contact surfaces (e.g. by rodent droppings and urine or active insect activity)
      • Failed to operate and maintain premises free from every condition that may be a health hazard
      • Food seized and discarded
      • 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
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
      • Provide hand washing basin in a convenient location 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
    • 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
    • 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
      • Protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests
      • Contact licensed pest control operator for insect / rodent / pest treatment and control
    • 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
      • Adjust or repair the refrigeration unit immediately. Do not store any hazardous foods in the unit until it is able to maintain hazardous foods at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Thaw all hazardous foods maintaining a temperature of 4°C (40°F) or less
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
      • Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
  3. Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
  4. Routine Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 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
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
  5. Re-inspection

    2 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
  6. Routine Inspection

    7 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
    • Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
  7. Routine Inspection

    12 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Single service containers and articles kept free from contamination
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
    • Food processed in a safe manner
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise

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