Retail Food · Boston, MA

First Choice Mkt.

Name: First Choice Mkt.
Address: 185 Howard Av, Boston, MA

185 Howard Av

Last inspected Jun 9, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

8 inspections

Inspection

Jun 9, 2026

Passed

6 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Slush scoops stored in 70F water. Store scoops clean and dry.

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.

More about equipment or utensil issues

majorCode 590.003/3-602.11-PFFood source and labeling

Official wording

Food Labels (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Frozen fish for sale without label. Properly label all foods for sale.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

criticalCode 590.003(A)/3-201.11-POther

Official wording

Compliance with Food Law (P)

Inspector’s notes

Cheese for sale purchased from retail grocery store- Price Rite. Discontinue selling foods from retail stores. Purchase only from licensed wholesaler.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Soils and debris behind chip racks. Clean to avoid attracting pests.

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

majorCode 590.006/6-404.11-PFOther

Official wording

Segregation and Location-Distressed Merchandise (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Expired foods for sale- milk taco kit stuffing mix. Remove expired foods from retail shelves.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Cat and littler box observed in basement. Remove cat to home. Do not keep animals on premises.

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.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 9, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jun 1, 2026

Failed

6 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Slush scoops stored in 70F water. Store scoops clean and dry.

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.

More about equipment or utensil issues

majorCode 590.003/3-602.11-PFFood source and labeling

Official wording

Food Labels (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Frozen fish for sale without label. Properly label all foods for sale.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

criticalCode 590.003(A)/3-201.11-POther

Official wording

Compliance with Food Law (P)

Inspector’s notes

Cheese for sale purchased from retail grocery store- Price Rite. Discontinue selling foods from retail stores. Purchase only from licensed wholesaler.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Soils and debris behind chip racks. Clean to avoid attracting pests.

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

majorCode 590.006/6-404.11-PFOther

Official wording

Segregation and Location-Distressed Merchandise (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Expired foods for sale- milk taco kit stuffing mix. Remove expired foods from retail shelves.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Cat and littler box observed in basement. Remove cat to home. Do not keep animals on premises.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 1, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Apr 7, 2025

Passed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.005/5-501.110-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Storage Refuse Recyclables and Returnable (C)

Inspector’s notes

Excessive milkcrates wooden pallets and tires.

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Apr 7, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 27, 2025

Hearing scheduled

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.005/5-501.110-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Storage Refuse Recyclables and Returnable (C)

Inspector’s notes

Excessive milkcrates wooden pallets and tires.

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Mar 27, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 13, 2025

Failed (extension granted)

3 recorded violations

minorCode 590.004/4-101.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Characteristics-Materials for Construction and Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Remove cardboard box as liner and provide commercial 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

Clean tops of can to remove visible soil.

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 590.005/5-501.110-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Storage Refuse Recyclables and Returnable (C)

Inspector’s notes

Excessive milkcrates wooden pallets and tires.

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Mar 13, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 6, 2025

Failed

3 recorded violations

minorCode 590.004/4-101.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Characteristics-Materials for Construction and Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Remove cardboard box as liner and provide commercial 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

Clean tops of can to remove visible soil.

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 590.005/5-501.110-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Storage Refuse Recyclables and Returnable (C)

Inspector’s notes

Excessive milkcrates wooden pallets and tires.

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Mar 6, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 3, 2024

Passed

5 recorded violations

minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

ware washing sink pipe leaking 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

minorCode 590.005/5-501.110-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Storage Refuse Recyclables and Returnable (C)

Inspector’s notes

Remove excessive soda racks from the basement

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 590.006/6-304.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Mechanical-Ventilation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Ventilation not working 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

minorCode 590.006/6-501.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Repairing-Premises Structures Attachments and Fixtures-Methods (C)

Inspector’s notes

Repair floor inside walk in cooler missing floor panel.

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

Evidence of cat litter and food dish 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, Jul 3, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jun 25, 2024

Failed (extension granted)

5 recorded violations

minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

ware washing sink pipe leaking 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

minorCode 590.005/5-501.110-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Storage Refuse Recyclables and Returnable (C)

Inspector’s notes

Remove excessive soda racks from the basement

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 590.006/6-304.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Mechanical-Ventilation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Ventilation not working 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

Evidence of cat litter and food dish remove .

In plain English

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

More about other finding

minorCode 590.006/6-501.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Repairing-Premises Structures Attachments and Fixtures-Methods (C)

Inspector’s notes

Repair floor inside walk in cooler missing floor panel.

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 25, 2024 · Original Source