Skip to content
Loading map…

SYMPOSIUM CAFE

#D-500 Can Amera Pky, CAMBRIDGE ON N1T 0A2 · Facility

Official record from Waterloo Region →

Inspection summary

SYMPOSIUM CAFE has been inspected 9 times by Region of Waterloo Public Health since November 26, 2024. The most recent inspection, on September 21, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

1 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 6 inspections with 26 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for your health. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Inspectors check that anything that has to be kept at a set temperature, such as chilled or hot food, or equipment like sterilizers, stays in its safe range and that accurate thermometers are on hand. With food, temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning.

    Recorded 11 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Surfaces, dishes and tools that touch food or people must be cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected. Inspectors check sanitizer strength, dishwasher temperatures and how cleaning is done. Poor sanitizing lets germs survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 8 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on August 18, 2026. For example: Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are one of the main ways germs spread, from person to person and onto food and surfaces. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing their hands when required, and sick staff being kept away from work where it matters. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 7 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food and supplies are stored and handled: kept covered, off the floor, and away from anything that could contaminate them. Where food is served, raw meat must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: Food protected from contamination or adulteration

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

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

    Recorded 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes

About this data

These results come from Region of Waterloo 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. Re-inspection

    4 infractions

    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Handle raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods, on separate preparation surfaces, and with separate utensils to prevent contamination
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
      • Provide hot and cold running water for hand washing in food preparation area
    • 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
  2. Compliance Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Re-inspection

    5 infractions

    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
    • 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
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
      • Ensure hand washing basin is unobstructed and accessible for hand washing
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
      • Provide hot and cold running water for hand washing in food preparation area
      • Provide paper towels in a dispenser at hand basin in food preparation area
      • Provide soap in a dispenser at hand basin in the food preparation area
    • 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
  4. Compliance Inspection

    6 infractions

    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
    • 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
      • Thaw all hazardous foods maintaining a temperature of 4°C (40°F) or less
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
      • Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
      • Ensure hand washing basin is unobstructed and accessible for hand washing
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
      • Provide hot and cold running water for hand washing in food preparation area
      • Provide paper towels in a dispenser at hand basin in food preparation area
      • 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 and maintained
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
  5. Compliance Inspection

    5 infractions

    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
      • Ensure wash / rinse water is at 43°C or greater
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
    • Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
      • Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces or equipment as often as necessary
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
      • Provide hot and cold running water for hand washing in food preparation area
      • Provide paper towels in a dispenser at hand basin in food preparation area
    • 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
  6. Compliance Inspection

    6 infractions

    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
      • Ensure wash / rinse water is at 43°C or greater
    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
      • Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
      • Ensure wash water is between 60°C and 71°C
    • Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
      • Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces or equipment as often as necessary
    • 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
      • Provide soap in a dispenser at hand basin in the food preparation area
    • 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
  7. Compliance Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 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
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
  8. Compliance Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 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
    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
    • Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
      • Provide hot and cold running water for hand washing in food preparation area
    • 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
  9. Compliance Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website