Taste Of China

Official wording

Contamination prevented during food preparation; storage & display

Inspector’s notes

3-307.11; Core; Observed cooked pork stored directly in contact with plastic "Thank You" bag in the walk-in cooler. These bags are not approved for direct food contact. Food shall be protected from miscellaneous sources of contamination. Use approved food-grade bags or multi-use containers to store food.

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.

Official wording

Washing fruits & vegetables

Inspector’s notes

3-302.15; Core; Observed employee remove broccoli from box and immediately start cutting prior to washing. Raw fruits and vegetables shall be thoroughly washed in water to remove soil and other contaminants before being cut; combined with other ingredients; cooked; served; or offered for human consumption in ready-to-eat form. Ensure raw vegetables are washed prior to being prepped.

In plain English

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

Official wording

Meets ventilation & lighting requirements; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

6-501.110; Core; Employee personal items including back brace found stored commingling with ingredients on dry storage shelving and on slicing machine. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be used for the orderly storage of employee items and other possessions. Ensure designated areas are being used for employee belongings. CDI- Items were relocated upon request.

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.

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s notes

7-102.11; Priority Foundation; One spray bottle of degreaser was not labeled. Working containers of toxic/poisonous chemicals taken from bulk shall be labeled with the common name of the chemical. CDI- Bottle was labeled. 7-202.12; Priority; Home Defense Insect Killer found stored on the floor under shelving in the dry storage area. Poisonous or toxic materials shall be used per manufacturer's use directions included in labeling; and; for a pesticide; manufacturer's label instructions that state that use is allowed in a food establishment. CDI- Product was removed from the establishment.

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.

Official wording

Single-use & single-service articles: properly stored & used

Inspector’s notes

4-502.13; Core; Plastic tofu containers are being reused to store TCS foods. Containers of food were found in the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. PIC stated that this was due to the significant amount of prep from christmas and was only temporary. Single-service and single-use articles may not be reused. Once used; discard these containers.

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.

Official wording

Equipment; food & non-food contact surfaces approved; cleanable; properly designed; constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-101.19; Core; Shelf on makeline under steam table is lined with cardboard. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment that are exposed to splash; spillage; or other food soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be corrosion-resistant; nonabsorbent; and smooth. Do not line shelving with cardboard.

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.

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Items recently stocked in the tall reach-in cooler found holding at a temperature above 41F (see temperature chart). Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods held cold shall be held at 41F or below. CDI- TCS foods were relocated to walk-in cooler to rapidly cool. EHS will return to verify that this reach-in cooler is capable of holding food at 41F or below by Friday (5/16).

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.

Official wording

In-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.12; Core; Rice scoop was found stored in room temperature water. During pauses in food preparation; utensils may be stored in running water; water that is maintained at a temperature of at least 57C (135F); in food with the handles outside of the food; or on a clean surface. Do not store in-use utensils in water at room temperature. Keep these utensils in a container of hot water at 135F or above OR store in an empty container and switch out utensils every 4 hours.

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.

Official wording

Equipment; food & non-food contact surfaces approved; cleanable; properly designed; constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-501.12; Core; Two white cutting boards had black residue accumulation and deep knife cuts. Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized; or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced. Resurface or replace these cutting boards.

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.

Official wording

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15; Core; Handwashing sink near walk-in cooler was spraying water at faucet when turned on. Prep sink across from walk-in cooler is leaking water at faucet when turned on. A plumbing system shall be maintained in good repair. Ensure plumbing is repaired.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

Official wording

Meets ventilation & lighting requirements; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

6-501.110; Core; Employee jacket found on storage rack used for facility food and dry storage. Employee tablet was charging on prep table. Employee adidas backpack was stored commingling with canned goods. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be used for the orderly storage of employee items and other possessions. Ensure designated areas are being used for employee belongings.

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.

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.14; Core; A wet wiping cloth was stored on the drainboard of a prep sink. Damp/wet wiping cloths shall be stored in sanitizer when not in use. Store wiping cloths dry or in sanitizer.

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.

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; The hood vents over the fryers have oil running down them and a slight buildup of debris. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned frequently enough to prevent a buildup of soil residues. PIC states the hood is scheduled for cleaning on Sunday; February 2nd after 5pm.

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.

Official wording

Food separated & protected

Inspector’s notes

3-302.11; Priority; Several cartons of shelled eggs are stored above ready to eat foods (bagged and uncovered produce; sauces; etc.) Foods shall be stored according to final cook temperature. CDI- Eggs were relocated to a bottom shelf.

In plain English

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

Official wording

Consumer advisory provided for raw/ undercooked foods

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.

Official wording

In-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.12; Core; A bowl is being stored in a bag of rice and the bulk rice container. Utensils may be stored in foods as long as the handle remains above the food. only store utensils with handles in foods.

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.

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; The hood vents over the fryers have oil running down them and a buildup of debris. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned frequently enough to prevent a buildup of soil residues. PIC states the hood is scheduled for cleaning on Sunday; July 21st after 5pm.

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.

Official wording

Food separated & protected

Inspector’s notes

3-302.11; Priority; Several containers of raw eggs found stored over ready to eat foods including various containers of sauces. Arrange each type of FOOD in EQUIPMENT so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented. CDI: PIC moved eggs to a lower shelf.

In plain English

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

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.14; Core; A few wet wiping cloths found stored on prep surfaces. Wiping cloths shall be stored clean and dry or in sanitizer. Store wiping cloths dry or in sanitizer.

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.

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Garlic in oil and shredded cabbage found stored on the counter at over 60F. TCS items shall be maintained cold at 41F or below. CDI: PIC stated items had been out less than an hour and replaced items back in the cooler.

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.