Separate raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector’s Notes
Observed oysters which are served raw and ready-to-eat, stored below raw meats in the walk-in cooler. Ensure ready to eat foods are protected from raw animal foods by storing ready to eat foods above raw animal foods. At time of inspection PIC moved the oysters and demonstrated the proper storage order.
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.
Store all clean equipment, utensils, linens, in a clean dry location where not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination and at least six inches above the floor.
Inspector’s Notes
Observed ice wand in walk-in freezer stored on boxes without being covered. Ensure clean equipment it is protected when in storage. PIC had ice wand washed and sanitized and wrapped in plastic.
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.
A business does not need to submit a HACCP plan for reduced oxygen packaging if foods are: 1. Labeled with date and time they were packaged, and 2. Held at 41 degrees F or less, and 3. Removed from all packaging within 48 hours of sealing.
Inspector’s Notes
Observed facility is using reduced oxygen packaging (ROP) for foods, packages in walk-in cooler is missing the time the food was placed into ROP packaging on label. Ensure when using the 48 hour rule to mark foods for the date and time, held at 41F or less during refrigerated storage and removed from it's package in the food establishment within 48 hours after packaging.
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.
The business needs to submit a HACCP plan to reduce oxygen package: • Raw meats • Raw vegetables • USDA or equal to cured meats received in an intact package
Inspector’s Notes
Observed frozen raw chicken in walk-in freezer dated 3/12 in reduce oxygen packaging (ROP). Ensure a HACCP plan is submitted to use reduce oxygen packaging to freeze the raw meats leaving them in the ROP packaging over 48 hours. Discussed with PIC at time of inspection.
In Plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0275CCleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
Store in-use food preparation and serving utensils only on clean, sanitized surfaces.
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED TONGS STORED ON THE OVEN HANDLE AT THE COOK LINE. FOOD OPERATORS CAN CONTAMINATE UTENSILS WITH LEGS OR APRON. DISCONTINUE THIS PRACTICE. STORE UTENSILS IN AN APPROVED, CLEAN, DRY AND SANITIZED LOCATION. TONGS WERE MOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION.
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.
Discontinue storing food preparation or dispensing utensils in a container of water that is not maintained at 135 degrees F (57 degrees C) and not cleaned when empty.
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED UTENSILS STORED INSIDE A CONTAINER WITH STAGNANT WATER IN BETWEEN USES (ROOM TEMP) AT THE COOK LINE. DISCONTINUE THIS PRACTICE. STORE UTENSILS IN AN APPROVED, CLEAN, DRY AND SANITIZED LOCATION. WATER WAS DRAINED DURING INSPECTION. NEW UTENSILS WERE USED AND STORED AT A DRY CLEAN / DRY LOCATION.
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.
criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0040DPermits, training, and postings
Official Wording
The person in charge must notify the regulatory authority of any complaint from a consumer having or suspected of having diarrhea or vomiting, norovirus, hepatitis A virus, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, or other enteric bacterial, viral, or parasitic pathogens.
Inspector’s Notes
PERSON IN CHARGE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO HANDLE CUSTOMER’S COMPLAINTS RELATED TO FOOD BORNE ILLNESSES. YOU MUST REPORT TO MDH AT 1-877-FOOD-ILL ANY CUSTOMER’S COMPLAINT RELATED TO FOOD BORNE ILLNESSES (E.G: VOMITING, DIARRHEA, ETC). ALSO SHARE THIS PHONE NUMBER WITH AFFECTED CUSTOMER.
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.
Make sure all ready-to-eat foods and garnishes are not touched with bare hands.
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED OPERATOR TOUCHING READY TO EAT FOOD WITH BARE HANDS WHILE PLATTING AND ADDING GARNISHES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO TRAIN PERSONNEL TO LIMIT DIRECT HAND CONTACT AND TO USE GLOVES OR UTENSILS TO TOUCH READY TO EAT FOODS (E.G: SALADS, GARNISHES, BREAD, CILANTRO, ETC).
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.