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Symposium Cafe

64 Hamilton St N, Waterdown ON L8B 0E6 · Restaurant

Official record from Hamilton →

Inspection summary

Symposium Cafe has been inspected 19 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since April 8, 2022. The most recent inspection, on July 31, 2026, recorded 7 infractions.

9 of 19 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 10 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 10 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on July 31, 2026. For example: Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner

  • 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 31, 2026. For example: Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less

  • 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 July 31, 2026. For example: Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 12, 2023. For example: Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 19, 2026. For example: Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes

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

  1. Routine Inspection

    7 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • 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)
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store and handle ice in a sanitary manner
    • Food processed in a safe manner
      • Cool hazardous food from 60°C (140°F) to 20°C (68°F) within 2 hours
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
  2. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

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

    1 infraction

    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
      • Provide sufficient detergent or chemicals for washing or sanitizing
  4. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  9. 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
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
    • Food in storage protected from contamination
      • Ensure racks, shelves or pallets are clean and designed to protect against contamination
  10. Routine Inspection

    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
    • Food in storage protected from contamination
      • Ensure racks, shelves or pallets are clean and designed to protect against contamination
  11. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  12. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
      • Iodine concentration must be at least 25 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
  13. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  14. Routine Inspection

    4 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
    • Illumination maintained in food premise as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code)
    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
  15. 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 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
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store and handle ice in a sanitary manner
  16. Routine Inspection

    4 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
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
  17. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  18. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  19. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
    • Frozen food storage and handling

Nearby inspected facilities

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