🚨 Recent Restaurant Closures 🚨

Back Bay Sandwich

FAIL

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 1:13 PM

Address
31 SAINT JAMES AV
Back Bay, MA 02116
Category
FT
Violations
14 total
⚠️ 5 critical
Facility History
46 inspections
19 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.16(A)

Cold Holding

Cheese 43 F Salami 54 F Ham 45 F These items were not being kept under refrigeration

Why This Matters

THE DANGER ZONE KILLS: Between 41°F-135°F bacteria double every 20 minutes. At 70°F, 10 bacteria become 10,000 in 2 hours, 10 million in 4 hours. Staphylococcus aureus produces heat-stable toxins that cooking cannot destroy. Clostridium perfringens causes 1 million illnesses yearly from temperature abuse. Listeria grows even under refrigeration, killing 20% of victims including pregnant women and newborns.

Code Requirements

ALL TCS foods MUST be held at 41°F or below at ALL times. This includes: All meat, poultry, seafood; Dairy products; Cut melons, tomatoes, leafy greens; Cooked rice, pasta, potatoes; Tofu, soy products; Sprouts; Garlic in oil. Check temperatures every 2 hours (4 hours maximum). If above 41°F for less than 2 hours, rapidly cool. If above 41°F for 2-4 hours, use immediately. If above 41°F for over 4 hours, DISCARD.

Corrective Actions

IMMEDIATE: Check ALL refrigerated foods NOW; Discard any food above 41°F for >4 hours; Rapidly cool foods 41-70°F if <4 hours; Repair/adjust all refrigeration immediately; Reduce inventory to prevent overstocking; Install thermometers in warmest part of all coolers; Implement 2-hour temperature checks; Create power outage procedure

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003(D) | FDA Code: Section 3-501.16(A)(2)
⚠️ CRITICAL 12-2-301.12-.15

Adequate Handwashing/Where/When/How

Observed food handlers continuously wearing disposable gloves - Multitasking with interuptions in food handling - not washing hands.

Why This Matters

Inadequate handwashing is a leading cause of foodborne illness transmission

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 12.2.301
⚠️ CRITICAL M-2-102.11

PIC Knowledge

The certified food protection manager's certifications have expired During inspection PIC signed up for food certifications

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section . Implement proper management & personnel procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

⚠️ CRITICAL M-2-103.11

PIC Performing Duties

Allergen poster not posted in employee work area - Poster provided to PIC by inspector during inspection Multiple repeat risk factors and non critical violations noted on inspection. Employees must be properly trained in food safety and sanitation as it relates to their assigned dutes per code and PIC shall monitor and oversee day to day operations to ensure establishment is operating in a safe sanitary manner and in compliance with the food code.

Why This Matters

EXTREME RISK: Without active management, ALL five CDC risk factors go unchecked. Studies show restaurants without certified managers have 2.5 times more critical violations. Lack of supervision leads to: temperature abuse (bacteria double every 20 minutes), cross-contamination spreading pathogens, sick employees working with food, improper cooking allowing pathogen survival. This single violation enables conditions for major outbreaks.

Code Requirements

PIC MUST: Be present during ALL operating hours; Hold valid food safety certification; Actively monitor employee health and hygiene; Ensure proper cooking, cooling, and holding temperatures; Verify foods from approved sources; Monitor handwashing compliance; Ensure equipment properly sanitized; Take immediate corrective actions for violations; Demonstrate knowledge to health inspector; Train and supervise all food employees.

Corrective Actions

IMMEDIATE: Designate qualified PIC immediately; If no certified manager available, cease operations; Implement active managerial control system; Create monitoring logs for all CDC risk factors; Retrain management on responsibilities; Post PIC duties checklist

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003(B) | FDA Code: Section 2-103.11
⚠️ CRITICAL M-3-603.11

Consumer Advisories

Consumer advisory missing disclosure and astericks on menus Allergen advisory not worded as required by code Information provided to PIC by inspector during inspection

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section . Implement proper management & personnel procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

• MINOR 08-3-305-307.11

Food Protection

Items stored on top of ice machine

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 08.3.305
• MINOR 14-4-202.11

Food Contact Surfaces Design

Worn and discolored cutting boards

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 14.4.202
• MINOR 15-4-202.16

Non-Food Contact Surfaces

Upright refrigeration unit 50 F

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 15.4.202
• MINOR 21-3-304.14

Wiping Cloths Clean Sanitize

In use wiping cloths not stored in a sanitizing solution between uses.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 21.3.304
• MINOR 23-4-602.13

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Built up soils in interior and exterior of refrigeration units

Why This Matters

INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty surfaces attract pests, harbor bacteria, and contaminate via contact or air movement. Dust from dirty shelves contains allergens affecting 32 million Americans. Grease accumulation creates slip hazards causing 25% of restaurant injuries.

Code Requirements

Non-food contact surfaces must be cleaned at frequency to prevent: Soil accumulation; Pest attraction; Contamination of food/food contact surfaces. Includes: Equipment exteriors; Shelving; Walls and ceilings; Light fixtures; Ventilation systems.

Corrective Actions

Deep clean all non-food contact surfaces; Create cleaning schedule with daily, weekly, monthly tasks; Assign cleaning zones to staff; Use degreaser for grease accumulation; Clean from top to bottom; Maintain cleaning log

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004(G) | FDA Code: Section 4-602.13
• MINOR 32-6-301.11-02.11

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

Paper towel dispenser at hand sink empty - Ware washing/prep PIC took corrective action

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 32.6.301
• MINOR 37-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings

Built up soils on walls and attachments in storage area

Why This Matters

OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION: Peeling paint and debris fall into food. Condensation on ceilings drips bacteria onto prep surfaces. Studies found ceiling tiles harbor Bacillus cereus spores. Restaurant ceiling collapse contaminated food service for 200 guests.

Code Requirements

Walls/ceilings must be: Smooth and washable in food areas; Light-colored for easy soil detection; Free of holes, cracks, peeling paint; Sealed at all joints and attachments; Clean and free of grease, dust, cobwebs; Non-absorbent in areas subject to moisture.

Corrective Actions

Repair all holes within 14 days; Repaint with washable paint; Replace damaged ceiling tiles; Seal all penetrations; Clean walls and ceilings monthly; Fix any leaks immediately; Install FRP panels in splash zones

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006(B) | FDA Code: Section 6-501.11, 6-501.12
• MINOR 42-6-501.113/.114

Premises Maintained

Multiple extension cords being uses throughout - PIC has been instructed to reach out the the Electrical inspector with Boston Inspectional Services Remove all unused and unnecessary articles from storage room

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 42.6.501
• MINOR 590.009(E)

Anti-Choking

25 Seats at time of inspection No proof of employee(s) trained in anti choking.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.009(E). Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.009(E)
View Facility Profile →
Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department