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Synonym Shop Inc.

328 James St. N, Hamilton Ontario L8L 1H2 · Restaurant

Official record from Hamilton →

Inspection summary

Synonym Shop Inc. has been inspected 14 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since December 6, 2022. The most recent inspection, on July 29, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

5 of 14 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, 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 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 8 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on July 29, 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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 29, 2026. For example: Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 29, 2026. For example: Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 31, 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 31, 2026. For example: Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less

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.

14 inspections

  1. 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
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
  2. Complaint

    0 infractions

  3. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Routine Inspection

    7 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
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
      • Ensure walls are kept clean and in good repair
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
      • Quaternary ammonium compound must be at least 200 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
    • Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
      • Clean and sanitize multi-service articles after each use and as often as necessary
      • Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces or equipment as often as necessary
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
      • 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
      • Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
  5. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 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
  6. Routine Inspection

    2 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
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
  7. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
  8. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
      • Provide soap in a dispenser at hand basin in the food preparation area
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
      • Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
  9. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Maintain records of pest control measures taken
      • Retain pest control records for one year
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
      • Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
  10. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  12. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  13. Routine Inspection

    8 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
      • Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
    • 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
    • Food protected from contamination or 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
  14. 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

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