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Zarky's Fine Foods

20 Hempstead Dr, Hamilton ON L8W 2E7 · Restaurant

Official record from Hamilton →

Inspection summary

Zarky's Fine Foods has been inspected 19 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since October 31, 2022. The most recent inspection, on September 14, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

3 of 19 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 6 inspections with 22 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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 17 times across 14 separate inspections, most recently on September 14, 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 11 times across 11 separate inspections, most recently on September 14, 2026. 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 31, 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 14, 2026. 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 14, 2026. 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.

19 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection

    5 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
    • 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
      • Evidence of minor insect / rodent activity
  2. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
  3. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  4. 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
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
  5. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
    • 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
  6. 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
    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
  7. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 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 hot and cold running water under pressure
      • Maintain hand washing stations with adequate supplies
    • 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
    • Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
  8. 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
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and 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
      • Ensure wiping cloths are kept in a sanitizing solution when not in use
  9. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
      • Ensure hand washing basin is unobstructed and accessible for hand washing
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
  10. Routine Inspection

    4 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 floors are kept clean and in good repair
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • 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
  11. Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
  12. 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
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and 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
      • Ensure wiping cloths are kept in a sanitizing solution when not in use
  13. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  14. 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 floors are kept clean and in good repair
    • 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
      • 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
  15. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
    • 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 protected from contamination or adulteration
  16. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
      • Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
  17. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  18. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
    • 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
  19. Routine Inspection

    5 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
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
      • Ensure hand washing basin is unobstructed and accessible for hand washing
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner
    • Toxic or poisonous substances required for maintenance in food premises are stored and handled as prescribed in the regulation
      • Store toxic/poisonous substances in container bearing identifying labels
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
      • Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods

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