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ALEX PIZZA

PASS

Monday, February 28, 2022 at 4:08 PM

Address
1252 WASHINGTON ST
South End, MA 02118
Category
FT
Violations
9 total
⚠️ 3 critical
⚠ 2 major
Facility History
61 inspections
23 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-302.11-P
✓ Corrected

Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation Packaging and Segregation (P)

Raw beef stored over salad dressing portions in deli reach-in cooler. Raw beef stored over ready to eat foods in walk-in cooler. Store all raw meat below ready to eat foods and produce. Salad dressing portions stored in old chicken boxes. Discontinue using old chicken boxes to store anything. Assume chicken boxes are contaminated and discard when chicken is removed. Corrected on site.

Why This Matters

DIRECT CONTAMINATION PATH: Raw chicken contains Salmonella (23% of samples) and Campylobacter (71% of samples). One drop of raw chicken juice can contaminate entire shelf below. Results in 1-3 million US illnesses annually.

Code Requirements

REORGANIZE IMMEDIATELY - Top to bottom: Ready-to-eat foods, Fish/Seafood (145°F), Whole meat/pork (145°F), Ground meat (155°F), Poultry (165°F) on bottom. Use separate coolers if needed. Cover all foods. Train all staff on proper order.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-501.14-P
✓ Corrected

Cooling (P)

Chicken tenders from previous day at 55F. Discarded by PIC. Follow cooling requirements according to Food Code.

Why This Matters

TOXIN FORMATION: Clostridium perfringens spores survive cooking and germinate during slow cooling. Produce toxin that causes violent illness. Responsible for 1 million illnesses annually. Large batches can take 24+ hours to cool unsafely.

Code Requirements

Cool rapidly using: Shallow pans (2 inches max), Ice baths with stirring, Blast chiller, Cut large items into portions, Add ice as ingredient. NEVER cool at room temp. NEVER stack hot containers. Monitor with thermometer. Document cooling times.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.004/4-501.114-P
✓ Corrected

Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment Chemical Sanitization-Temperature pH Concentration and Hardness (P)

Sanitizer testing below 50ppm. Adjusted and reading 100ppm. Train all employees to correctly mix and test sanitizer to ensure surfaces and equioment are sanitized.

Why This Matters

INEFFECTIVE SANITIZATION: Below 50ppm chlorine or 200ppm quat, bacteria survive on 'clean' dishes. Above 200ppm chlorine leaves toxic residue causing chemical burns, nausea. 70% of restaurant outbreaks linked to improper sanitization.

Code Requirements

Maintain sanitizer at: Chlorine 50-100ppm, Quaternary Ammonium 200-400ppm, Iodine 12.5-25ppm. Test every 2 hours with test strips. Change solution when cloudy/dirty. Train all staff on mixing procedures.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-302.14-PF
✓ Corrected

Sanitizing Solutions Testing Devices (Pf)

No test strips for testing chlorine concentration. Provide test strips. Following label directions.

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
⚠ MAJOR 590.005/5-205.11-PF
✓ Corrected

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Hand sink at pizza station obstructed by small shelf. Place shelf away from sink to make it easy for staff to wash hands. Corrected on site.

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.005. Implement proper personal hygiene procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005 | FDA Code: Section 5
• MINOR 590.002/2-402.11-C
✓ Corrected

Effectiveness-Hair Restraints (C)

Grill cook observed not wearing hair restraint. Provide hats or hair nets for all food handler employees.

Why This Matters

CONTAMINATION RISK: Average person sheds 50-100 hairs daily. Each hair can carry up to 1 million bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus from hair causes rapid food poisoning (1-6 hours) with severe nausea, vomiting, and cramps. Cannot be killed by reheating once toxin forms.

Code Requirements

All staff handling food MUST wear: hairnets, caps, or effective hair restraints covering all hair; beard nets for facial hair over 1/4 inch; no loose hair touching shoulders. Provide hair restraints for all staff immediately.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002 | FDA Code: Section 2
• MINOR 590.004/4-101.19-C
✓ Corrected

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Cardboard lining shelves in kitchen area. Dicard cardboard and discontinue using cardboard to line shelves. Only use materials that are smooth cleanable & non-absorbent.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.004/4-602.13-C
✓ Corrected

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Reach-in cooler doors and handles with spills and soil build-up. Interior of reach-in coolers with spills and soils. Floor in baement around compressor with soils and debris. Floor under fryer with oil build-up. Floor under 3 compartment sink with debris and soils. Sides of stemtable with spills and soils. Clean all areas and maintain clean to avoid contamination and attracting pests.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.005/5-205.15-C
✓ Corrected

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Cold water faucet at warewash hand sink not operating properly. Repair as necessary.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.005. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005 | FDA Code: Section 5
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department