- K27: Food separated and protected
Observed containers, bags, and boxes of food maintained directly on the floor inside the kitchen as well as inside the walk-in refrigerator and walk-in freezer.
[CA] Food shall be stored at least 6 inches above the floor to prevent contamination.
Observed numerous employees conducting food preparation on top of boxes, buckets, stools, cutting boards on top of garbage bins, etc.
[CA] Food utensil (i.e. cutting board, baking pan, platters) shall not be used on top of a trash can to prevent cross contamination.
Observed containers of foods stored directly on top of each other with the bottom of the top containers in direct contact with the food item.
[CA] All food shall be separated and protected from possible contamination.
- K30: Food storage: food storage containers identified
Observed walk-in freezer filled to the door with frozen food items stacked on top of each other. This Division, nor employees are able to walk inside the walk-in freezer. Bags of frozen food observed stacked all the way to the ceiling of the walk-in refrigerator.
[CA] Adequate and suitable space shall be provided for the storage of food, maintain storage area clean and dry to prevent contamination.
- K13: Food in good condition, safe, unadulteratedCritical
Observed approximately 4-5 cans of food items heavily damaged at the top and bottom seams.
[CA] Hermetically sealed items that are damaged at the seals shall be returned to vendor or discarded.
[COS] Instructed manager to remove damaged cans.
- K38: Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use
Observed large gas powered rice cooker in use at the front service area.
[CA] Provide approved exhaust hood ventilation over all cooking equipment as required to effectively remove cooking odors, smoke, steam, grease, heat, and vapors. Discontinue use of gas powered rice cooker or relocate rice cooker under ventilation hood system.
- K05: Hands clean, properly washed; gloves used properlyCritical
Observed kitchen employee washing hands with gloves still donned on.
[CA] Ensure employees are properly washing hands as required. Employees shall wash their hands in all of the following instances:
(1) Immediately before engaging in food preparation, including working with non-prepackaged food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-use food containers and utensils.
(2) After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed portions of arms.
(3) Immediately after using the toilet room and again when returning into the kitchen.
(4) After caring for or handling any animal allowed in a food facility in pursuant to this part.
(5) After coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating, or drinking.
(6) After handling soiled equipment or utensils.
(7) During food preparation as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross-contamination when changing tasks.
(8) When switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat foods.
(9) Before initially donning gloves for working with food.
(10) Before dispensing or serving food or handling clean tableware and serving utensils in the food service area.
(11) After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands.
Properly wash hands with soap, warm water and dry using single use paper towels as required. Single-use gloves shall be removed prior to washing hands.
[COS] Instructed employees to properly wash hands.
- K36: Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
Observed kitchen employee utilizing three-compartment sink to conduct food preparation and hand washing.
[CA] Utilize sinks for their designated purposes. The three-compartment sink shall only be used for ware washing.
- K09: Proper cooling methodsCritical
Approximately 10+ containers of various cooked pork belly, pork spareribs, and braised pork maintained inside the walk-in refrigerator measured between 47F to 50F. Manager stated that items were either prepared yesterday, or this morning at approximately 3:00 AM in the morning, an elapsed time of more than 6 hours.
Observed numerous PHF items cooling in unapproved methods:
- Large pots full of soup, cooked vegetables, and proteins,
- Numerous metal containers filled with solid foods, kept covered and stacked on top of each other out in ambient temperature as well as inside the walk-in refrigerator.
- Large pots of soup maintained tightly covered with plastic and metal lids.
[CA] After heating or hot holding, Potentially Hazardous Foods (PHFs) shall be cooled rapidly from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours. Approved cooling methods include: 1) Placing the food in shallow pans 2) Separating the food into thinner or smaller portions. 3) Using rapid cooling equipment (Ex. blast chiller) 4) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer (ex. stainless steel) 5) Adding ice as an ingredient. 6) Using ice paddles 7) Using an ice bath and stirring frequently 8) Accordance with a HACCP plan. Cooling foods shall have enough space around the containers for cold air to circulate, be loosely covered, or uncovered and stirred as frequently needed to evenly cool.
[COS] All food items improperly cooled were VC&D.
- K44: Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
Observed non restaurant equipment stored inside the facility. Center island food preparation refrigerator is inoperable and used as dry storage.
[CA] The premises of a food facility shall be free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the facility, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer used.
Observed gap below screen gate to the back of the facility.
[CA] Eliminate gap greater than 1/4" to prevent the entrance and harborage of vermin.
- K06: Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessibleCritical
Paper towel dispenser at the only hand wash station in the kitchen inoperable. At time of inspection, faucets at the hand sink were heavily encrusted and difficult to turn.
[CA] Handwashing facilities shall be equipped with handwashing cleanser and single-use sanitary towels in dispensers. Handwashing facility shall be clean, unobstructed, and accessible at all times.
[COS] Instructed manager to provide paper towels.
- K39: Thermometers provided, accurate
Thermometers not provided inside the walk-in refrigerator.
[CA] A thermometer +/- 2°F shall be provided and correctly located in each hot and cold holding unit containing potentially hazardous foods.
- K35: Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
Ambient temperature of the walk-in refrigerator measured between 49F to 50F via IR.
[CA] Refrigeration must be capable of maintaining PHFs at 41°F or below.
** Repeat violation - correct by comply-by date.
Observed wooden cutting boards heavily damaged.
[CA] Surfaces of equipment such as cutting blocks and boards that are scratched and scored so that they can no longer be effectively be cleaned and sanitized shall be resurfaced or replaced.
Observed cardboard used to line shelves and storage rack for cans.
[CA] Discontinue the use of cardboard boxes to line shelves/flooring, use approved equipment made of materials that is easily cleanable, durable, smooth, and nonabsorbent.
- K07: Proper hot and cold holding temperaturesCritical
Numerous PHF food items maintained out in ambient temperature measured between 70F to 80F. Manager stated that items were in active preparation, however, at the time of inspection, no active preparation was being conducted.
Numerous PHF items maintained inside the walk-in refrigerator measured ranging from 43F to 48F. Ambient temperature of the walk-in refrigerator measured between 49F to 50F.
[CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. Use only small portions of food during preparation so that it does not exceed the maximum amount of time allowed for diligent prep.
- K21: Hot and cold water available
Hot water at the three-compartment sink measured at 105F. Hot water at the food preparation sink measured at 109F.
[CA] Hot water shall be supplied at a minimum temperature of at least 120°F measured from the faucet throughout facility except at handwash sinks.
- K32: Food properly labeled and honestly presented
Numerous prepackaged non-PHF snack foods and various types of refrigerated desserts inside the merchandiser refrigerator provided for customer self-service lack labels.
[CA] Food prepackaged in a food facility shall bear a label with the following: 1) common name of the food, 2) list of ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight, 3) quantity of contents, 4) name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
- K45: Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
At time of inspection, heavy accumulation of food debris and water observed throughout the kitchen.
[CA] Floors in food preparation area shall be kept clean and dry.
- K08: Time as a public health control; procedures & recordsCritical
Times for all PHF food items subjected to time as a public health control (TPHC) at the service line were not documented and/or were still being offered for customer consumption past the maximum 4 hours.
[CA] When time only, rather than time and temperature is used as a public health control, PHFs shall be time marked to indicate when item is removed from temperature control, discarded if not consumed or served within 4 hours, and written procedures shall be readily available for review.
[COS] Times were provided for items prepared within the 4 hour limit. Items past the 4 hour were VC&D.