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Sophia's Diner

277 Ontario St, Sarnia ON N7T 1L8 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Sophia's Diner has been inspected 9 times by Lambton Public Health since November 7, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 30, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

None of the 9 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Food temperature control 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on January 27, 2026. For example: Food is protected from potential contamination (i.e. food covered, labelled, off floor, stored on racks, sneeze guard, physical hazards).

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on July 30, 2026. For example: Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less.

  • 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 once on July 30, 2026. For example: There is adequate protection against the entrance of insects, vermin, rodents, dust and fumes into the food premise.

  • 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 once on January 27, 2026. For example: Food contact surfaces washed / rinsed / sanitized after each use and following any operations when contamination may have occurred.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 4, 2026. For example: Equipment, non-food contact surfaces and linen are maintained, designed, constructed, installed and accessible for cleaning.

About this data

These results come from Lambton Public Health, 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.

9 inspections

  1. Required

    3 infractions

    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less.
      • Fail to maintain hazardous foods at 4°C (40°F) or colder due to malfunctioning refrigeration unit.
    • There is adequate protection against the entrance of insects, vermin, rodents, dust and fumes into the food premise.
      • Fail to provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent insect / pest entry.
    • General housekeeping is satisfactory.
      • Fail to maintain the premise in a clean and sanitary condition.
  2. Follow-up

    2 infractions

    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less.
      • Fail to maintain hazardous foods at 4°C (40°F) or colder.
    • Equipment, non-food contact surfaces and linen are maintained, designed, constructed, installed and accessible for cleaning.
      • Fail to maintain equipment as per its original design and construction.
  3. Required

    4 infractions

    • Hazardous food is hot held at a minimum temperature of 60°C (140°F) after cooking or rapid re-heating.
      • Fail to hot-hold hazardous foods at 60°C (140°F) or higher after cooking or rapid re-heating.
    • Food is protected from potential contamination (i.e. food covered, labelled, off floor, stored on racks, sneeze guard, physical hazards).
      • Fail to store food off the floor to prevent contamination.
    • Equipment, non-food contact surfaces and linen are maintained, designed, constructed, installed and accessible for cleaning.
      • Fail to maintain equipment as per its original design and construction.
    • Food contact surfaces washed / rinsed / sanitized after each use and following any operations when contamination may have occurred.
      • Fail to use/maintain an approved sanitizing solution at the appropriate concentration on food contact surfaces.
  4. Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • Food is protected from potential contamination (i.e. food covered, labelled, off floor, stored on racks, sneeze guard, physical hazards).
      • Fail to cover or enclose all food in a manner to prevent contamination.
  5. Required

    2 infractions

    • Raw food products are separated from ready-to-eat food products during storage and handling.
      • Fail to handle / store raw hazardous foods separately or below ready-to-eat foods to prevent contamination.
    • Food is protected from potential contamination (i.e. food covered, labelled, off floor, stored on racks, sneeze guard, physical hazards).
      • Fail to cover or enclose all food in a manner to prevent contamination.
  6. Follow-up

    1 infraction

    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less.
      • Fail to maintain hazardous foods at 4°C (40°F) or colder due to malfunctioning refrigeration unit.
  7. Required

    2 infractions

    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less.
      • Fail to maintain hazardous foods at 4°C (40°F) or colder.
    • Raw food products are separated from ready-to-eat food products during storage and handling.
      • Fail to handle / store raw hazardous foods separately or below ready-to-eat foods to prevent contamination.
      • Fail to protect food from contamination or adulteration.
  8. Required

    1 infraction

    • Food is protected from potential contamination (i.e. food covered, labelled, off floor, stored on racks, sneeze guard, physical hazards).
      • Fail to store food off the floor to prevent contamination.
      • Fail to protect food from potential contamination.
  9. Required

    1 infraction

    • Equipment, non-food contact surfaces and linen are maintained, designed, constructed, installed and accessible for cleaning.
      • Fail to maintain equipment as per its original design and construction.

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