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Restaurant · Waterloo Region, ON

Now Tea

106 - 280 Lester St

Last inspected Jun 15, 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

4 inspections

Compliance Inspection

Jun 15, 2026

Infractions found

3 recorded violations

criticalCode —Contamination

Official wording

Food protected from contamination or adulteration

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Protect food from contamination and adulteration

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

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

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

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Jun 15, 2026 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Dec 5, 2025

Infractions found

3 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
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, 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.

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.), Dec 5, 2025 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Jun 9, 2025

Infractions found

5 recorded violations

minorCode —Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Results of any inspection conducted by a public health inspector are posted in accordance with the inspector's request

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Post Check It! We Inspect it. disclosure sign in a location visible by patrons.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
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 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
criticalCode —Other

Official wording

Food is held at 4�C (40�F) or less

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: 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

In plain English

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

More about other finding
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
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

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.), Jun 9, 2025 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Dec 9, 2024

Infractions found

6 recorded violations

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
minorCode —Other

Official wording

Certified food handler present in the food service premise

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Ensure a food handler or supervisor, who is a certified food handler, is present during all hours of operation

In plain English

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

More about other finding
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

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
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 —Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Results of any inspection conducted by a public health inspector are posted in accordance with the inspector's request

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Post Check It! We Inspect it. disclosure sign in a location visible by patrons.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Dec 9, 2024 · Original Source

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