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Al's State Street Cafe

FAIL

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 5:31 PM

Address
112 STATE ST
North End, MA 02109
Category
FT
Violations
15 total
⚠️ 2 critical
⚠ 2 major
Facility History
4 inspections
1 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.002/2-301.14-P

When to Wash (P)

No hand wash observed by employees when switching tasks. PIC to retrain staff on hand wash procedures.

Why This Matters

ILLNESS TRANSMISSION: 70% of foodborne outbreaks traced to poor handwashing. Unwashed hands after restroom carry 10 billion bacteria including E. coli. One contaminated hand can spread bacteria to 7 surfaces in 10 seconds. Causes 48 million illnesses annually.

Code Requirements

Wash hands for 20 seconds minimum with soap and 100°F water: After restroom ALWAYS, Before food prep, After touching face/hair/clothing, Between raw and ready-to-eat foods, After handling garbage, Every 30 minutes during continuous prep, After any contamination risk.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002 | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-302.11-P

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

Raw Shave steak observed stored next to lettuce . Separate and maintain to avoid possible contamination. Corrected on site by PIC.

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
⚠ MAJOR 590.003/3-501.17-PF

Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Date Marking (Pf)

Reach in Unit/ Properly date mark all ready to eat food.Provide made/discard date to all food prepped before storing in the refrigerator

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003. Implement proper temperature control procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-302.14-PF

Sanitizing Solutions Testing Devices (Pf)

No test strips on site. Provide accurate testing strips for sanitizer

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
• MINOR 590.002/2-402.11-C

Effectiveness-Hair Restraints (C)

Observed staff working on RTE foods without proper hair restraint.Provide and maintain

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 590.003/3-302.12-C

Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food (C)

Squeze bottles observed without labels. Provide and maintain

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003. Implement proper food storage procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.003/3-305.11-C

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Multiples boxes and bucket containing food observed stored on the ground. Elevate and maintain.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003. Implement proper food storage procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.004/4-101.16-C

Sponges Use Limitation (C)

3 bay sink observed with sponge to wash dishes. Remove all sponges and discontinue using on food contact surfaces

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 590.004/4-501.12-C

Cutting Surfaces (C)

Cutting boards observed heavily scored. Replace

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

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

remove all cardbord boxes from the floor and shelving in the kitchen

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 590.005/5-501.17-C

Toilet Room Receptacle Covered (C)

Restroom observed without cover waste receptacle / provide covered waste receptacle

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
• MINOR 590.006/6-201.11-C

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

All floors in kitchen storage room front counter area and warewashing rooms observed in need of deep cleaning to remove debris build up.

Why This Matters

Poor facility maintenance can harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning

Code Requirements

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Properly sloped to drains; No gaps or cracks; Maintained clean

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-501.111-C

Controlling Pests (C)

Mise dropping observed in the kitchen area under the food shelving / clean to remove./ Provide a detailed licensed exterminator’s report to keila.depina@boston.gov.

Why This Matters

SEVERE CONTAMINATION: Rodent droppings carry 35+ diseases including Hantavirus (36% mortality rate), Salmonella (20% of cases from rodents), Leptospirosis (kidney/liver failure). Mice contaminate 10 times more food than they eat through urine and droppings.

Code Requirements

IMMEDIATE ACTION: Clean/sanitize all affected areas with 10% bleach solution. Discard ALL exposed food. Seal holes over 1/4 inch (mice) or 1/2 inch (rats). Remove food sources. Install bait stations. Professional extermination within 24 hours.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-501.14-C

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Hood sticker observed expired 8.17.25. Provide updated sticker

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.006. Implement proper cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-501.18-C

Cleaning of Plumbing Fixtures (C)

Food soils and debris observed in the handsink clean to remove and discontinue utilizing the handsink for purposes other then hand washing. Retrain staff

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.006. Implement proper cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
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Tags

🍽️ Cafe 📍 Financial District 🚇 State Street (Orange Line) ⚠️ Rodent Activity ⚠️ Pest Control ⚠️ Temperature Control ⚠️ Food Storage ⚠️ Cross Contamination ⚠️ Handwashing ⚠️ Hair Restraints ⚠️ Floor Maintenance ⚠️ Wall and Ceiling Issues ⚠️ Surface Cleanliness ⚠️ Dishwashing ⚠️ Food Labels ⚠️ Food Protection ⚠️ Test Kits ⚠️ Plumbing Issues ⚠️ Waste Disposal ⚠️ Restroom Violations
📍 Neighborhoods 🍽️ Cuisines 🚇 Transit ⚠️ Violations
Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department