Mandarin
1508 Upper James St, Hamilton ON L9B 1K3 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
Mandarin has been inspected 17 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since May 19, 2022. The most recent inspection, on April 7, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.
7 of 17 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 1 infraction 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 11 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on April 7, 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 20, 2025. 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 10, 2023. For example:
Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 4, 2022. 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 May 10, 2023. 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.
17 inspections
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- 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
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
- Complaint
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
2 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
- 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
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Complaint
1 infraction
- Food processed in a safe manner
- Process food in a manner to ensure it is safe to eat
- Cool hazardous food from 60°C (140°F) to 20°C (68°F) within 2 hours
- Cool hazardous food from 20°C (68°F) to 4°C (40°F) within 4 hours
- Reheat food to original cooking temperature within 2 hours
- Food processed in a safe manner
- Complaint
0 infractions
- Complaint
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Protect food from contamination and adulteration
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- 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
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Protect food from contamination and adulteration
- Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
- Ensure food handlers confine hair while handling food
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Complaint
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Complaint
0 infractions
- Complaint
2 infractions
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- 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
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Routine Inspection
6 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
- Maintenance of sanitary facilities
- Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
- Food in storage protected from contamination
- Food safety procedures maintained where manufactured meats products are manufactured
- Routine Inspection
6 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
- Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
- Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
- Maintenance of sanitary facilities
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Routine Inspection
6 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
- 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
- Ensure wiping cloths are kept in a sanitizing solution when not in use
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Food safety procedures maintained where manufactured meats products are manufactured
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