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Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

FAIL

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 3:37 PM

Address
71 CHARLES ST
West End, MA 02114
Category
FS
Violations
12 total
⚠️ 2 critical
⚠ 7 major
Facility History
8 inspections
2 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.002(E)/2-201.11-PF

(B) & (E) Responsibility of Permit Holder Person in Charge and Conditional Employees (Pf )

In response to a complaint of illness an inspection was conducted. During the inspection it was discovered that the ill individual associated with the report of illness is an employee and is on site. Following a phone conversation with Principal Inspector Tracy Seneschal under the direction of Director Thomas McAdams the employee was instructed that they may not be onsite. Prior to returning to work the employee shall contact the Boston Public Health Commission for guidance and requirements before returning to the workplace

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.002(E). Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002(E) | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.007/7-204.11-P

Sanitizers Criteria-Chemicals (P)

Quats sanitizer set up at the time of the inspection tested well above 500ppm- Review with staff and properly set up quats sanitizer to 150-400ppm Corrected on site

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.007. Implement proper cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.007 | FDA Code: Section 7
⚠ MAJOR 590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF

(A) (B) and (C)(1) (4)-(16) Demonstration (Pf)

Priority violations noted on inspection report- Review with staff

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.002(B). Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002(B) | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠ MAJOR 590.002/2-301.15-PF

Where to Wash (Pf)

Observed staff washing hands at the 3 bay sink- Wash hands at handsinks

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.002. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002 | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-302.12-PF

Food Temperature Measuring Devices (Pf)

No metal stem thermometer available at the time of the inspection- Provide

Why This Matters

TEMPERATURE ABUSE: Without thermometers, 73% of foods are held at unsafe temperatures. Bacteria double every 20 minutes between 41-135°F. Undercooked ground beef (not reaching 155°F) causes E. coli outbreaks affecting hundreds.

Code Requirements

Provide calibrated probe thermometers immediately: One per cook station minimum, Range -40°F to 200°F, Accurate to ±2°F, Calibrate daily in ice water (32°F). Check temps every 2 hours for holding, always for cooking.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-302.13-PF

Temperature Measuring Devices Manual and Mechanical Warewashing (Pf)

No irreversible thermometer available at the time of the inspection- Provide

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 temperature control procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

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

Sanitizing Solutions Testing Devices (Pf)

No test kit available at the time of the inspection for quats sanitizer- Provide

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

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

There are 2 handwashing sinks available for use in the kitchen. One is in the food prep area and one is located next to the warewashing area. The sink in the prep area was blocked in by new shelving and was full of equipment. The sink at the warewashing area was blocked by a waste receptacle and stacked cardboard. All handwashing sinks shall be fully accesible- 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
⚠ MAJOR 590.006/6-301.12-PF

Hand Drying Provision (Pf)

No paper towels available at the time of the inspection- Corrected

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.002/2-402.11-C

Effectiveness-Hair Restraints (C)

Multiple employees in kitchen with no hair restraints-

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 590.003/3-304.14-C

Wiping Cloths Use Limitation (C)

Numerous damp/soiled wiping cloths on counters in kitchen and at the expresso station- Maintain in sanitizer solution

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 safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.004/4-903.11-C1

(A) (B) and (D) Equipment Utensils Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles Storing (C)

During the inspection I observed a taller employee passing through the coffee area where the wine glasses are stored inverted from the ceiling. Due to his height his hair was coming into contact with the equipment. Provide alternative area for equipment or new procedures to ensure cleanliness of glasses.

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 equipment procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
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Tags

🍽️ Cafe 📍 West End 🚇 Charles/MGH (Red Line) ⚠️ Rodent Activity ⚠️ Temperature Control ⚠️ Handwashing ⚠️ Hair Restraints ⚠️ Wall and Ceiling Issues ⚠️ Equipment Maintenance ⚠️ Dishwashing ⚠️ Food Protection ⚠️ Test Kits ⚠️ Waste Disposal
📍 Neighborhoods 🍽️ Cuisines 🚇 Transit ⚠️ Violations
Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department