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Retail Food · Boston, MA

Karen Market

41 Bennington St

Last inspected May 13, 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

9 inspections

Inspection

May 13, 2026

Passed

6 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002(D)/2-103.11-PFOther

Official wording

(A)-(P) Person-In-Charge-Duties (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No DBA post outside the establishment ./Provide

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.003/3-307.11-CContamination

Official wording

Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed employee washing mango on the handwashing sink/ Discontinue

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.

More about food not protected from contamination
majorCode 590.003/3-602.11-PFFood source and labeling

Official wording

Food Labels (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed cheese stored in the refrigeration without label./Provide label

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
minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Circus-Man Coffin freezer observed with excess frost build -up. Defrost and Clean to remove Retail shelving/observed dust/soils on food cans/clean to remove dust/soils

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

10 Bottle of Nance en almbar with past expiration date from June 2025.6 bottles Luroco en salmuera ( Loroco In brine) with past expiration date from 10/2020. Facundo Gandulles _Pigeen Peas with past expiration date from 09.2023. /Address and ensure all foods are being checked prior to and while out on the sales floor for expiration dates

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

Small amount of mise dropping observed on the selves with dry goods. Clean to remove/Provide IPM report to Keila.depina@boston.gov

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, May 13, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

May 6, 2026

Failed

6 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002(D)/2-103.11-PFOther

Official wording

(A)-(P) Person-In-Charge-Duties (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No DBA post outside the establishment ./Provide

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.003/3-307.11-CContamination

Official wording

Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed employee washing mango on the handwashing sink/ Discontinue

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.

More about food not protected from contamination
majorCode 590.003/3-602.11-PFFood source and labeling

Official wording

Food Labels (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed cheese stored in the refrigeration without label./Provide label

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
minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Circus-Man Coffin freezer observed with excess frost build -up. Defrost and Clean to remove Retail shelving/observed dust/soils on food cans/clean to remove dust/soils

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

10 Bottle of Nance en almbar with past expiration date from June 2025.6 bottles Luroco en salmuera ( Loroco In brine) with past expiration date from 10/2020. Facundo Gandulles _Pigeen Peas with past expiration date from 09.2023. /Address and ensure all foods are being checked prior to and while out on the sales floor for expiration dates

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

Small amount of mise dropping observed on the selves with dry goods. Clean to remove/Provide IPM report to Keila.depina@boston.gov

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, May 6, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 4, 2025

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 4, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 28, 2025

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, May 28, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 2, 2025

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 2, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 18, 2024

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Nov 18, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 17, 2024

Passed

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.004/4-302.14-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Sanitizing Solutions Testing Devices (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No test strips on site for QUATs sanitizer used. Provide.

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 590.006/6-301.12-PFOther

Official wording

Hand Drying Provision (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handsinks at prep area and toilet missing paper towels. Provide.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

No signage at prep area hand sink. 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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 17, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 9, 2024

Failed

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.004/4-302.14-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Sanitizing Solutions Testing Devices (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No test strips on site for QUATs sanitizer used. Provide.

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 590.006/6-301.12-PFOther

Official wording

Hand Drying Provision (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handsinks at prep area and toilet missing paper towels. Provide.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

No signage at prep area hand sink. 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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 9, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 4, 2023

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 4, 2023 · Original Source

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