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Retail Food · Boston, MA

El Primo Market

220 Columbia Rd

Last inspected Feb 25, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

8 inspections

Inspection

Feb 25, 2026

Passed

1 recorded violation

notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

Your 2026 Health Permit has not been renewed. Please pay for the renewal online or in person at 1010 Mass Ave 4th Floor Health Division.

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Feb 25, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Feb 19, 2026

Failed

1 recorded violation

notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

Your 2026 Health Permit has not been renewed. Please pay for the renewal online or in person at 1010 Mass Ave 4th Floor Health Division.

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Feb 19, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

May 29, 2025

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, May 29, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 2, 2024

Passed

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003/3-501.16-P1Food temperature

Official wording

(A)(1) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Inspector’s notes

Cooked chicken and beef pastelitos being left out at room temperature. Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintaied at 135F and above. Pastelitos were removed at the time of the inspection.

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.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
criticalCode 590.003(A)/3-201.11-POther

Official wording

Compliance with Food Law (P)

Inspector’s notes

Cooked chicken and beef pastelitos being made from a residential home and sold at the retail level. Discontinue all Sales of Pastelitos being made from home.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 2, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 26, 2024

Failed

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003/3-501.16-P1Food temperature

Official wording

(A)(1) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Inspector’s notes

Cooked chicken and beef pastelitos being left out at room temperature. Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintaied at 135F and above. Pastelitos were removed at the time of the inspection.

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.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
criticalCode 590.003(A)/3-201.11-POther

Official wording

Compliance with Food Law (P)

Inspector’s notes

Cooked chicken and beef pastelitos being made from a residential home and sold at the retail level. Discontinue all Sales of Pastelitos being made from home.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Nov 26, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 19, 2024

Not required

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 19, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 28, 2023

Passed

9 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-601.11-COther

Official wording

Standards of Identity (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed foods not intended for invidual sale with no labels discontinue sale of these products.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.004/4-101.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Characteristics-Materials for Construction and Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Remove milk crate as shelving and provide commercial food service grade equipment. Discontinue the use of cardboard box as shelving liner provide commercial food service grade equipment.

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.

More about building upkeep issues
minorCode 590.004/4-601.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

(B) and (C) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (C)

Inspector’s notes

Storage of open produce display case shelving soiled clean.

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 590.005/5-203.13-COther

Official wording

Service Sink (C)

Inspector’s notes

No service sink onsite provide.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.005/5-501.17-COther

Official wording

Toilet Room Receptacle Covered (C)

Inspector’s notes

Trash recpticles has no cover provide.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.006/6-201.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

Inspector’s notes

Floor soiled inside walk in cooler and basement area clean.

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 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

No hand wash signage inside restroom provide.

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 590.006/6-304.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Mechanical-Ventilation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Ventilation inside restroom not operating repair.

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.

More about building upkeep issues
majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed cat food in a opended dish and smell No Live animals are allowed on premises remove.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 28, 2023 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 5, 2023

Failed

9 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-601.11-COther

Official wording

Standards of Identity (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed foods not intended for invidual sale with no labels discontinue sale of these products.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.004/4-101.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Characteristics-Materials for Construction and Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Remove milk crate as shelving and provide commercial food service grade equipment. Discontinue the use of cardboard box as shelving liner provide commercial food service grade equipment.

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.

More about building upkeep issues
minorCode 590.004/4-601.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

(B) and (C) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (C)

Inspector’s notes

Storage of open produce display case shelving soiled clean.

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 590.005/5-203.13-COther

Official wording

Service Sink (C)

Inspector’s notes

No service sink onsite provide.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.005/5-501.17-COther

Official wording

Toilet Room Receptacle Covered (C)

Inspector’s notes

Trash recpticles has no cover provide.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.006/6-201.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

Inspector’s notes

Floor soiled inside walk in cooler and basement area clean.

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 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

No hand wash signage inside restroom provide.

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 590.006/6-304.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Mechanical-Ventilation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Ventilation inside restroom not operating repair.

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.

More about building upkeep issues
majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed cat food in a opended dish and smell No Live animals are allowed on premises remove.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 5, 2023 · Original Source

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