Cardenas #203 - Grocery

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

Lack of liquid hand cleanser in mens restroom. [CA] Provide handwashing cleanser in dispenser at handwash stations at all times.

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

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Various PHF held in display at meat department are not properly iced and measured >41F,>2hrs. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [SA] PHF was voluntarily condemned and destroyed due to temperature abuse.

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.

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

Live gnats found in facility.[CA] Food facility shall be kept free of non-disease carrying insects, weevils, ants, gnats, and fruit flies.

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.

Official wording

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector’s notes

Dumpsters found open at time of inspection. [CA] Refuse containers shall be covered at all times when not in use.

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.

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

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.

Official wording

Thermometers provided, accurate

Inspector’s notes

Thermometers missing in hot holding case (rotisserie chicken). [CA] A thermometer +/- 2°F shall be provided and correctly located in each hot and cold holding unit containing potentially hazardous foods.

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.

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

knife stored in basin of hand wash sink. [CA] Handwashing facility shall be clean, unobstructed, and accessible at all times.

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 storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Raw marinated chicken stored in open bulk container in walk-in.[CA] Store open bulk foods in approved NSF containers with tight fitting lids.

In plain English

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

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Employee skips sanitation as the final step in warewashing. [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. Use 1 TBS of bleach (5.25%) per 1 gal. of water for chlorine solution (100 PPM). Use 1 tbs of quaternary ammonium (10%) per 2 gal. of water for quaternary ammonium (200 PPM).

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.