Cardenas #222 - Deli / Taqueria

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Food residue and trash accumulations were observed on the floor sinks located below the preparation and wash sinks. [CA] Conduct thorough and regular cleaning on the floor areas. Excessive water accumulation was observed on the floor below dishwashing and working sinks. [CA] Keep the floor areas neat, clean, and dry all the time.

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.

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

Multiple wet/soiled wiping cloths were stored on the counters, cutting boards, and preparation tables. [CA] Wet/soiled wiping cloths must be stored in a bucket that has standard sanitizer concentration in between use which is 200 ppm quaternary ammonia or 100 ppm chlorine (bleach).

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.

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

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

Multiple drain flies were observed in the janitorial sink, warewash sink, and some in the kitchen warewash sink areas. [CA] Eliminate vermin from the facility by a legal method.

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

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

There was no paper towel supply on the only front handwash sink. [CA] Refill the wall-mounted paper towel dispenser immediately. Until the wall-mounted paper towel dispenser is refilled, a roll-type paper supply may be used. The person in charge provided a roll-type paper towel (SA).

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 contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Some recently sanitized utensils were stacked together on the utensil storage shelf. [CA] Air dry all clean utensils before staking them together.

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.

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Some potentially hazardous food stored on the deli's preparation table like chicken and mixed potato were measured between 120 °F and 130 °F. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like garlic in oil, cut melons, raw sprouts; cooked foods of plant origin; foods of animal origin and any other food capable of supporting the rapid and progressive growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms or the slower growth of Clostridium botulinum shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. The store manager said all the food products were cooked less than two hours, and he is told to either reheat the products to 165 OF and keep them at or above 135 oF or time code all to use within the next two hours. The chef stored the products on an ice bath to rapidly chill the products to 70 oF with in the first two hours, and then to 41 oF with another four hours (SA).

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

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Excessive water accumulation was observed on the floor below dishwashing and working sinks. [CA] Keep the floor areas neat, clean, and dry all the time. There is a missing ceiling panel near the HVAC system of the BBQ room. [CA] To prevent insect/rodent infestation, please replace the missing ceiling panel immediately.

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.

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

A couple of wet/soiled wiping cloths were stored on the handwash sink located in the BBQ room. [CA] Wet/soiled wiping cloths must be stored in a bucket that has standard sanitizer concentration in between use which is 200 ppm quaternary ammonia or 100 ppm chlorine (bleach).

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.

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Many food products on boxes were stored directly on the floor or on milk crate back in the storage area. [CA] To prevent insect hiding and breading and for easy cleaning of the floor area, please store all food products at least six inches off the floor on an approved shelf or dunnage rack.

In plain English

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

Official wording

Food in good condition, safe, unadulterated

Inspector’s notes

Some freshly sanitized utensils were stacked together on the utensil storage shelf. [CA] Air dry all clean utensils before staking them together.

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.

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

Couple of drain flies were observed back in the preparation area and some near the janitorial sink area. [CA] Eliminate all insects and rodents from the facility by a legal method.

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

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Some potentially hazardous foods stored on the taqueria preparation fridge( ice bath, including shredded cheese and guacamole were measured between 45°F and 50 °F. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products, cooked vegetables, cooked cereals, greens, and diced tomatoes shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. Please monitor the temperature and use of the cold-holding unit regularly.

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

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Many food products on boxes were stored directly on the floor or on milk crate back in the storage area. [CA] To prevent insect hiding and breading and for easy cleaning of the floor area, please store all food products at least six inches off the floor on an approved shelf or dunnage rack.

In plain English

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

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

Multiple drain and some houseflies were observed back in the produce wash station and some in the kitchen area. [CA] Eliminate all insects and rodents from the facility by a legal method.

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

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

Pinto and refried beans cooked yesterday were measured at or above 50 oF inside the walk-in cooler in big containers. [CA] All potentially hazardous food products must be cooled from 135 OF to 70 OF within the first two hours and from 70 OF to 41 OF with another four hours using ice bath, rapid chiller, or smaller portions. Since the chicken were more than two hours in the preparation table. The manager voluntarily condemned and destroyed about 10 gallons of beans stored inside the walk-in cooler above 50 oF (COS).

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

Hot and cold water available

Inspector’s notes

The maximum warm water temperature on one of the kitchen's handwash sink was measured at 85 oF. [CA] Raise the water temperature on the handwash sink to 100 oF immediately.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Employee was observed washing dishes in the three compartment warewash sink without any sanitizer. [CA] Whenever utensils, equipment, and food contact surfaces are cleaned, they need to be washed with soapy water, rinse with clean water, and sanitized with 200 ppm quaternary ammonia sanitizer or 100 ppm chlorine. The manager was demonstrated on the proper washing procedures. The dishwasher was demonstrated on the proper method of dishwashing. The utensils were rewashed accordingly (COS).

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.

Official wording

Signs posted; last inspection report available

Inspector’s notes

Current Environmental Health permit was not posted on public view. [CA] The most current Environmental Health permit must be posted on public view at all the time.

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.

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Some potentially hazardous food stored on one of the hot-holding case including chicken legs, ribs, and fried bananas were measured between 125°F. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like garlic in oil, cut melons, raw sprouts; cooked foods of plant origin; foods of animal origin and any other food capable of supporting the rapid and progressive growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms or the slower growth of Clostridium botulinum shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. The chef reheated the products (COS).

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

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

Couple of wet/soiled wiping cloths were stored on the counters. [CA] Wet/soiled wiping cloths must be stored in a bucket that has standard sanitizer concentration in between use which is 200 ppm quaternary ammonia or 100 ppm chlorine (bleach). There was very low sanitizer concentration on one of the sanitizer buckets. [CA] Maintain the sanitizer concentration on the sanitizer buckets at 200 ppm quaternary ammonia. 100 ppm chlorine (bleach), 272 ppm -700 ppm lactic acid levels.

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.

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

There was no paper towel supply on one of the kitchen’s handwash sinks. [CA] Refill the wall-mounted paper towel dispenser immediately. Until the wall-mounted paper towel dispenser is refilled, you use a roll-type paper towel or napkins.

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.