Restaurant · Waterloo Region, ON

East African Cafe

Name: East African Cafe
Address: C - 50 Ontario St S, Waterloo Region, ON

C - 50 Ontario St S

Last inspected Apr 14, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Infractions found

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Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

7 inspections

Compliance Inspection

Apr 14, 2026

Infractions found

2 recorded violations

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

criticalCode —Contamination

Official wording

Food protected from contamination or adulteration

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Store food off the floor to prevent contamination

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Apr 14, 2026 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Dec 15, 2025

Infractions found

2 recorded violations

criticalCode —Other

Official wording

Food is held at 4�C (40�F) or less

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Thaw all hazardous foods maintaining a temperature of 4�C (40�F) or less

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Dec 15, 2025 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Aug 20, 2025

Infractions found

2 recorded violations

minorCode —Handwashing

Official wording

Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Provide soap in a dispenser at hand basin in the food preparation area

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

Food is held at 4�C (40�F) or less

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Thaw all hazardous foods maintaining a temperature of 4�C (40�F) or less

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Aug 20, 2025 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Apr 22, 2025

No violations found

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Apr 22, 2025 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Nov 4, 2024

Infractions found

1 recorded violation

minorCode —Pests

Official wording

Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Contact licensed pest control operator for insect / rodent / pest treatment and control

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Nov 4, 2024 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Oct 24, 2024

Re-inspection required

3 recorded violations

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Maintain and arrange furniture to permit a clean and sanitary condition, Maintain and arrange equipment to permit a clean and sanitary condition, Maintain and arrange appliances to permit a clean and sanitary condition, Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises (s.7)

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode —Handwashing

Official wording

Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Ensure hand washing basin is unobstructed and accessible for hand washing

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

Food is held at 4�C (40�F) or less

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Thaw all hazardous foods maintaining a temperature of 4�C (40�F) or less

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Oct 24, 2024 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Jul 15, 2024

Re-inspection required

3 recorded violations

criticalCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24�C or greater for at least 45 seconds, Ensure manual dishwashing includes the three steps: wash, rinse, and sanitize

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed and maintained

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are of sound and tight construction, Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode —Other