While TCS foods are cooling, keep containers uncovered, unstacked, and spread out.
Inspector’s notes
Observed covered containers of sauce on the counter cooling (2 hours at 100F) and to be placed into the cooler. This was discussed and the covers were removed for further cooling.
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.
While TCS foods are cooling, keep containers uncovered, unstacked, and spread out.
Inspector’s notes
Observed marinara sauce cooling with lid on and tightly sealed. Discussed proper cooling methods with PIC and employees at time of inspection. Marinara sauce was discarded.
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.
Observed marinara sauce cooling that was over 4 inches thick. Ensure an effective cooling method is used when cooling foods. Discussed proper cooling methods with PIC and employees at time of inspection. Marinara sauce was discarded.
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.
Cool cooked TCS food: • Within two hours from 135 to 70 degrees F, and • Within a total of six hours from 135 to 41 degrees F or less
Inspector’s notes
Observed marinara sauce at 60F 5 hours after beginning cooling. At time of inspection PIC discarded the sauce.
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.
Maintain all hot, TCS foods at 135 degrees F or hotter. (Roast beef may be held at 130 degrees F or hotter, if it is cooked according to Part 4626.0340 item B or reheated according to Part 4626.0360, item E.)
Inspector’s notes
Observed rice in hot-holding cabinet at 98F. PIC reheated the rice in the oven to over 165F at time of inspection. Discussed hot-holding temperatures with PIC and employees.
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.
Calibrate food temperature measuring devices in accordance with manufacturer's specifications as often as necessary to ensure accuracy.
Inspector’s notes
Observed stem thermometer presented at time of inspection was 50F+ out of calibration. At time of inspection PIC was educated on how to calibrate the thermometer and thermometer was calibrated.
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.
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0285BCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Wiping cloths used for wiping surfaces must: • Be held in an approved sanitizing solution • Laundered daily
Inspector’s notes
Observed wet wiping cloth on counter. Ensure wet wiping cloths are kept in a sanitizing solution between uses.
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.
Food businesses must have handwashing sinks with a water temperature of: • At least 100 degrees F • Not hotter than 130 degrees F • If children use the sink, the water temperature must not be hotter than 120 degrees F
Inspector’s notes
Observed handwashing sink water temperature at 98F. Ensure hot water at hand sink is at least 110F.
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.
Post a sign at all handwashing sinks used by employees to remind them to wash their hands.
Inspector’s notes
Observed hand washing sinks in kitchen missing handwashing signs. Ensure signs are posted.
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.
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0033APermits, training, and postings
Official wording
The business must employ at least one valid Minnesota Food Protection Manager's certification (CFPM). Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Health web page.
Inspector’s notes
The operator did not provide MN food protection manager certification. Discussed certification process with the operator.
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.
minorCode MCO 188.390Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
The business license must be posted where it can be easily seen.
Inspector’s notes
The establishment license was not posted at the time of inspection.
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.
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0955ACleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Store single-service and single-use items in a clean dry location. All items must be stored at least 6 inches above the floor.
Inspector’s notes
Observed single serving cups and napkins stored on the floor. Discussed proper storage with the operator.
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.
Keep handwashing sinks accessible at all times. Make sure they are only used for handwashing.
Inspector’s notes
Observed hand washing sink blocked with kitchen utensils. Discussed hand washing with the operator.
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.
Make sure all ready-to-eat foods and garnishes are not touched with bare hands.
Inspector’s notes
Observed the operator touching bread on a plate with bare-hand, operator was instructed to replace the bread. Discussed food contamination and bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food.
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.
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0840CCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Clean non-food contact surfaces of equipment. Keep them clean.
Inspector’s notes
Observed dried-out food debris and spills on external surfaces of cooking and storing equipment such as the blender, cooking pots, dried ingredient containers, and others. Discussed cleaning and sanitation with the operator.
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.
Clean food contact surfaces of cooking and baking equipment, including microwave ovens, at least every 24 hours.
Inspector’s notes
Observed dried-out food debris inside the microwave oven. Discussed cleaning and sanitation with the operator.
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.
When utensils are stored in food, keep the handles stored above the level of the food to prevent contamination.
Inspector’s notes
Observed scoop stored immersed in container with rice. Discussed food contamination with operator.
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.
Separate raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector’s notes
Observed raw chicken on top of cooked vegetables. Operator discarded items. I discussed cross-contamination with the operator.
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.
Have an approved chlorine chemical sanitizer solution. The solution must have a minimum concentration of 50 ppm. The solution must also meet the temperature and pH requirements of this rule.
Inspector’s notes
Registered chlorine concentration lower than 50ppm inside the 3-compartment sink. Chlorine concentration was set at 100 ppm at the time of inspection. Discussed cleaning and sanitation with the operator.
In plain English
Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.
Maintain all hot, TCS foods at 135 degrees F or hotter. (Roast beef may be held at 130 degrees F or hotter, if it is cooked according to Part 4626.0340 item B or reheated according to Part 4626.0360, item E.)
Inspector’s notes
Registered the temperature of soup at 120*F on top of a flat grill. Discussed hot holding temperatures with the operator. The product was reheated to 181*F at the time of 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.
The person in charge must make sure employees follow proper food safety procedures, including: • Proper handwashing • Preventing cross-contamination from bare hands • Proper cooking of TCS foods • Proper cooling of TCS foods • Proper hot and cold temperatures of TCS foods • Preventing plumbing cross connections • Properly sanitizing equipment and utensils
Inspector’s notes
The number of violations on this report shows there there is a lack of managerial control. Discussed active managerial control with operator.
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.
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0400AFood source and labeling
Official wording
Use an effective method to date mark refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS food prepared and held for more than 24 hours. Day one is the day the food was made.
Inspector’s notes
Observed numerous unmarked items such as sauce and cooked beef. Discussed date marking with the operator.
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.
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0840ACleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils must be clean.
Inspector’s notes
Observed dried-out food debris in food contact surfaces of cooking and dispensing utensils such as cooking pots, knives, and spatulas.
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.
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1520ACleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Clean all physical facilities (floors, walls, ceilings). Keep them clean.
Inspector’s notes
Observed dust and food debris on the floor throughout the kitchen and under equipment and storing shelving.
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.