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Boston Burger

FAIL

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 5:51 PM

Address
1100 BOYLSTON ST
Fenway, MA 02115
Category
FS
Violations
23 total
⚠️ 5 critical
⚠ 6 major
Facility History
59 inspections
27 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003(C)/3-301.11-P

Preventing Contamination from Hands (P)

Observed employee cutting up lemons with bare hands. Ensure staff is trained on bare hand contact with RTE foods.

Why This Matters

Inadequate handwashing is a leading cause of foodborne illness transmission

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003(C). Implement proper personal hygiene procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003(C) | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-304.15-P

(A) Gloves Use Limitation (P)

Observed employee cutting up lemons and not wearing gloves. Corrected on site. Ensure employees are trained properly on glove use.

Why This Matters

FALSE SECURITY: Contaminated gloves spread bacteria MORE than bare hands because workers feel 'protected'. Gloves pick up 5x more bacteria than skin. Not changing between tasks spreads contamination to everything touched.

Code Requirements

Change gloves: After touching raw meat/poultry/fish, Between different food types, After touching face/hair/clothing, Every hour maximum, When switching tasks, After touching any non-food surface. Wash hands BEFORE putting on new gloves.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-403.11-P

Reheating for Hot Holding (P)

Baked beans and chili 77 degrees hot holding unit. All foods must be reheated to 165 degrees on stove top before being placed in hot holding unit. Chef removed and reheated to 183 degrees.

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

Maintain all hot TCS foods at 135°F or above; Cannot use hot holding equipment to reheat

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-501.16-P

(A)(2) and (B) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Bake beans and chili at 77F on the hot holding line. PIC removed and reheated to 183F.

Why This Matters

RAPID BACTERIAL GROWTH: At 50°F, E. coli doubles every 30 minutes. At 70°F, it doubles every 20 minutes. After 4 hours above 41°F, bacteria can reach dangerous levels causing severe illness. Common result: 24-72 hours of diarrhea, vomiting, fever, potential hospitalization.

Code Requirements

Immediately discard foods held above 41°F for over 4 hours. Rapidly cool foods above 41°F if less than 2 hours. Check ALL cooler temps every 2 hours with calibrated thermometer. Repair/adjust refrigeration immediately. Never store food in non-refrigerated areas.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-701.11-P

Discarding or Reconditioning Unsafe Adulterated or Contaminated Food (P)

Marinara sauce and salsa expired 11/23. PIC removed and discarded. Provide proper training on expired foods.

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

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
⚠ MAJOR 590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

(A)-(P) Person-In-Charge-Duties (Pf)

PIC- Properly train all staff in hot holding cold holding reheating employee illness. Provide anti-choking certificate.

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(D). Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002(D) | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-302.13-PF

Temperature Measuring Devices Manual and Mechanical Warewashing (Pf)

No temperature measuring devices for dishmachine. Provide an irreversible thermometer or 160 thermal strips. Pressure gauge not working to determine PSI. Repair.

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 590.004/4-601.11-PF

(A) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (Pf)

Can opener heavily soiled. Clean to remove heavy soil. Corrected onsite.

Why This Matters

Improper equipment maintenance can harbor bacteria and contaminate food

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
⚠ MAJOR 590.005/5-202.12-PF

Handwashing Sinks Installation (Pf)

All handsinks temperature were fluctuating between 70F-90F. Ensure staff is trained to notify PIC of temperture change in water for proper hand washing. Contact plumber.

Why This Matters

WITHOUT HOT WATER: Bacteria removal drops by 75%. Studies show proper handwashing with hot water and soap removes 99.9% of bacteria, while cold water only removes 25%. This dramatically increases risk of spreading E. coli, Salmonella, and Norovirus - responsible for 89% of foodborne illness outbreaks.

Code Requirements

Immediate action required: Provide hot water (100-120°F) at ALL handwashing sinks. Install water heater if needed. Temporary solution: heat water for handwashing until repairs complete. Staff must wash hands every 30 minutes, after touching face/hair, handling raw foods, using restroom.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005 | FDA Code: Section 5
⚠ MAJOR 590.006/6-301.12-PF

Hand Drying Provision (Pf)

No paper towels next to the stove and next to the ice machine in the basement. Provide proper means for drying hands.

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
⚠ MAJOR 590.006/6-501.111-PF

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Remove fly paper from ceiling in the basement. Provide detailed licensed extermination report.

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 590.002/2-402.11-C

Effectiveness-Hair Restraints (C)

Observed food handler without hair restraints. Provide proper 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 590.003/3-304.12-C

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Observed knives stored in between shelving on the food line. Properly store knives.

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.004/4-204.112-C

Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality (C)

No conspicuous thermometers in any of the refrigerators. Provide suitable thermometers.

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 temperature control 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)

Clean the exterior of the dishmachine clean the back splash in dish area. Clean and replace stained ceiling tiles replace missing ceiling tiles in kitchen and lower prep. Clean all dust from ceiling vents- bathroom included. Clean floor in walk in refrigerator. Repair missing wall trim in soda area (basement).

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

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Observed the water not draining in the prep sink. Repair.

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 590.005/5-501.115-C

Maintaining Refuse Areas and Enclosures (C)

Clean grounds around outside grease containers to remove debris.

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 590.005/5-501.116-C

Cleaning Receptacles (C)

Provide tight closing lids with channel locks. Clean containers to remove debris.

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 cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005 | FDA Code: Section 5
• MINOR 590.005/5-501.17-C

Toilet Room Receptacle Covered (C)

Provide covered waste receptacles in both bathrooms.

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 590.006/6-101.11-C

Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas (C)

Repair/replace missing coving in lower food prep area.

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-202.15-C

Outer Openings Protected (C)

Provide proper door sweep to exterior door. Remove all daylight.

Why This Matters

PEST INVASION: Open doors allow entry of flies (carry 100+ pathogens), rodents (35+ diseases), and airborne contaminants. One fly can contaminate entire prep area in minutes, landing on 30+ surfaces spreading E. coli, Salmonella.

Code Requirements

Install self-closing devices on ALL exterior doors immediately. Doors must close completely within 3 seconds. No gaps over 1/4 inch. Consider air curtains for frequently used doors. Keep doors closed when not in active use.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-301.14-C

Handwashing Signage (C)

No how to wash signage on any of the handwash sinks. Provide signage. Will email over literatue.

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 personal hygiene procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-303.11-C

Intensity-Lighting (C)

hot line/replace burnt ot lights walk in units/provide adequate lighting in units

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department