- K27: Food separated and protected
In the walk-in refrigerator, observed raw chicken katsu stored over raw fish. [CA] Ensure raw meats are stored in the following order from the bottom: raw chicken, raw shelled eggs, raw beef, raw pork, and raw seafood. Cooked food and ready to eat food shall be stored above raw meats.
- K26: Approved thawing methods used; frozen food
Observed frozen raw chicken stored thawing in the prep sink. Measured the outer edge of raw chicken at 41F. [CA] Frozen potentially hazardous food shall only be thawed in one of the following ways: 1) under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41F or below, 2) completely submerged under potable running water for a period not to exceed two hours at a water temperature of 70F or below, and with sufficient water velocity to agitate and flush off loose particles into the sink drain, 3) in a microwave oven if immediately followed by immediate preparation, 4) as part of a cooking process.
- K30: Food storage: food storage containers identified
In the dry storage room, observed open bags of panko and flour stored. [CA] Ensure all open bags of dry bulk food are transferred to food grade containers and covered with a fitted lid.
- K09: Proper cooling methods
Observed containers of pho broth cooling on the counter-top at 70F. Per operator, pho broth has been cooling for about 3.5 hours. [CA] Potentially hazardous foods shall be RAPIDLY cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, and then from 70F to 41F within 4 hours. Cooling shall be facilitated by one or more of the following methods: by adding ice; using an ice bath; using ice paddles; separated into smaller portions; using shallow containers; and/or using rapid cooling technology. [SA] Operator moved containers of pho broth to walk-in freezer to facilitate cooling.
- K23: No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
Observed fruit flies within the facility. [CA] Ensure facility is kept free of fruit flies to prevent possible contamination.
- K45: Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
In the dry storage room, observed an exposed wooden beam and an open hole in the ceiling panel. [CA] Ensure facility floors, walls, and ceilings are properly repaired and sealed to prevent possible harborage of vermin. Floors, walls, and ceiling shall be smooth, durable, and easily cleanable.
On the floors underneath the cookline, observed accumulation of grease and food debris. [CA] Ensure facility floors are frequently cleaned and maintained to prevent possible harborage of vermin.
- K44: Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
In the dry storage room, observed storage of unused/non-functioning equipment including refrigerators, freezers, deep fryers and other cooking equipment. [CA] Ensure unused and/or non-functioning equipment are removed from the facility to prevent clutter and possible harborage of vermin.
- K14: Food contact surfaces clean, sanitizedCritical
At the 3 compartment sink, observed employee warewashing and skipping sanitizing step. [CA] Manual warewashing shall be accomplished by using a three-compartment sink where the utensils are first precleaned, washed with hot soapy water, rinsed with hot water, sanitized with an approved method, and air dried. Utensils and equipment shall be sanitized using an applicable sanitizer such as 100 PPM chlorine sanitizer OR 200 PPM quaternary ammonium sanitizer. [COS] Operator placed washed utensils and equipment in 100 PPM chlorine sanitizer.
- K07: Proper hot and cold holding temperaturesCritical
In the kitchen area, on the counter-top, measured cooked short rib at 95F, cooked beef at 126F, and spam at 75F. Per operator, food items were cooked an hour prior. In the kitchen area, by the steam table, measured garlic in oil at 80F. Per operator, garlic in oil stored for 3.5 hours. [CA] Ensure potentially hazardous foods are held cold at 41F or below or held hot at 135F and above to prevent bacterial growth. [SA] Operator reheated short rib, beef, and spam to 165F on the flat-top grill and stored in containers above the flat-top grill to maintain hot. Garlic in oil was served for an additonal 30 minutes for a total of 4 hours from when removed from temperature control, and discarded.
- K05: Hands clean, properly washed; gloves used properly
Observed employee wearing gloves move from warewashing directly to cooking without removing gloves and washing hands in between. No contamination occurred during change of task. [CA] Properly wash hands with soap, warm water and dry using single use paper towels as required when hands have been contaminated. Gloves shall be properly used and discarded between tasks.