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Restaurant · Waterloo Region, ON

Empress Of India

34 King St S

Last inspected Feb 3, 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

5 inspections

Compliance Inspection

Feb 3, 2026

Infractions found

10 recorded violations

criticalCode —Food temperature

Official wording

Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer

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

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode —Other

Official wording

Maintenance of sanitary facilities

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Equip sanitary facility with single service towels or air dryer

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode —Facility maintenance

Official wording

Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Ventilation system requires thorough cleaning

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
minorCode —Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils do so in a sanitary manner

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
criticalCode —Contamination

Official wording

Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: 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

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
minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards, Ensure ceilings are kept clean and in good repair, Ensure floors, walls, and ceilings are tight, smooth, and non-absorbent, Ensure walls are kept clean and in good repair

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

Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Ensure wiping cloths are kept in a sanitizing solution when not in use, Provide sanitizing solution for wiping cloths/rinsing large utensils/rinsing food contact surfaces

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 —Pests

Official wording

Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests

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
criticalCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Either mechanical or manual dishwashing is provided

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Provide adequate equipment (manual or mechanical) for cleaning and sanitizing utensils as required

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

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.), Feb 3, 2026 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Oct 27, 2025

Infractions found

2 recorded violations

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Ensure food contact equipment and utensils are free from cracks, crevices and open seams

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

Corrected During Inspection: Protect food from contamination and adulteration, 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.), Oct 27, 2025 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Feb 12, 2025

Infractions found

9 recorded violations

criticalCode —Food temperature

Official wording

Hot holding: minimum of 60�C (140�F) after cooking / rapid re-heating

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Ensure food is held above 60�C (140�F) after cooking / rapid re-heating

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
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
minorCode —Handwashing

Official wording

Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees

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.

More about handwashing problems
criticalCode —Food temperature

Official wording

Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Iodine concentration must be at least 25 parts per million at 24�C or greater for at least 45 seconds

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
criticalCode —Contamination

Official wording

Food protected from contamination or adulteration

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Cover all food in storage

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
minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair

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

Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: 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, Provide sanitizing solution for wiping cloths/rinsing large utensils/rinsing food contact surfaces

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

Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection

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
criticalCode —Other

Official wording

Food processed in a safe manner

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Process food in a manner to ensure it is safe to eat

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.), Feb 12, 2025 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Oct 17, 2024

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.), Oct 17, 2024 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Oct 10, 2024

Re-inspection required

6 recorded violations

minorCode —Pests

Official wording

Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests, 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
criticalCode —Contamination

Official wording

Food protected from contamination or adulteration

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Protect food from contamination and adulteration, Cover all food in storage, 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
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 equipment 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 —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: 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

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

Not in Compliance: Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees, Provide hand washing basin in 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.

More about handwashing 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

Not in Compliance: 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

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Oct 10, 2024 · Original Source

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