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CAFE PODIMA

PASS W/ CONDITIONS

Friday, January 27, 2017 at 4:36 PM

Address
156 CAMBRIDGE ST
West End, MA 02114
Category
FT
Violations
15 total
⚠️ 1 critical
⚠ 3 major
Facility History
30 inspections
12 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 31-5-204/05.11
✓ Corrected

Location Accessible

Handsink at warewash found with bowls inside and tongs. Maintain free access to handwashing facilities unobstructed at all times.

Why This Matters

FORCED NON-COMPLIANCE: Blocked sinks force employees to skip handwashing. Studies show 89% compliance when sinks accessible vs 35% when blocked. Each skipped handwash potentially contaminates multiple food items. Inaccessible sinks contributed to Hepatitis A outbreak affecting 660 people.

Code Requirements

Handwashing sinks must be: Accessible at ALL times; Used ONLY for handwashing; Located within 25 feet of food prep; Clear of all equipment and supplies; Never used for food prep, dishwashing, or chemical disposal; Minimum one sink per 5 workers during peak times.

Corrective Actions

Clear ALL handwashing sinks immediately; Post 'Handwashing Only' signs; Relocate any blocking equipment; Provide alternative sinks for other uses; Train staff on sink designation; Monitor hourly for compliance

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005(D) | FDA Code: Section 5-204.11, 5-205.11
⚠ MAJOR 22-4-601/602.11
✓ Corrected

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Ice cream blender with caked on food soils on various components. Wash/rinse/sanitize/air dry all components of machine with the proper frequency after each use.

Why This Matters

BIOFILM FORMATION: Visible soil indicates biofilms - communities of bacteria protected by slime layers that resist sanitizers. Biofilms on slicers have caused Listeria outbreaks killing 30% of victims. Meat slicer contamination sickened 300 across 6 states. Grease harbors Listeria which grows at refrigeration temperatures.

Code Requirements

Food contact surfaces must be: Visibly clean with no food debris; Free of grease accumulation; Smooth and cleanable; Cleaned and sanitized after each use; Cleaned every 4 hours if in continuous use; Equipment must be disassembled for cleaning when necessary.

Corrective Actions

Clean and sanitize ALL equipment immediately; Disassemble equipment for thorough cleaning; Establish cleaning schedule with assigned responsibilities; Use cleaning checklist; Train on proper disassembly; Increase cleaning frequency

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004(G) | FDA Code: Section 4-601.11, 4-602.11
⚠ MAJOR 30-5-203.14
✓ Corrected

Cross Connection Back Siphonage Backflow

Plumbed drain for yogurt machine with self rinsing mechanism connected to a direct waste drain with odorous fumes emitting from drain. Replace drain with indirect waste drain. Provide detailed plumbers report and time frame for completion of work upon reinspection. Discontinue using unit until proper modifications are made to machine to prevent potential contamination of back flowing waste water.

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 30.5.203
⚠ MAJOR 35-6-501.111/.115
✓ Corrected

Insects Rodents Animals

Basement door to adjacent basement without door sweep and seals around permimeter of door. Seal and provide rodent proof door sweep.

Why This Matters

DISEASE VECTORS: Mice produce 50-75 droppings daily containing Salmonella, Hantavirus. Cockroaches carry 33 types of bacteria, 6 parasitic worms. Flies regurgitate and defecate on food, spreading E. coli, Shigella. One mouse can contaminate 10 times more food than it eats. Pest allergens trigger asthma in 26% of inner-city children.

Code Requirements

Facility must be pest-free: No live or dead pests; No droppings or urine; No gnaw marks or rub marks; No nesting materials; Effective pest control program; Monthly professional service recommended; All openings sealed; Remove harborage conditions.

Corrective Actions

Call pest control service immediately; Discard ALL contaminated food; Clean and sanitize all affected areas; Seal all openings larger than 1/4 inch; Install door sweeps; Eliminate standing water; Remove clutter; Increase cleaning frequency

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.007(K) | FDA Code: Section 6-501.111, 6-501.115
• MINOR 04-3-501.15/4-301.11
✓ Corrected

Inadequate Facilities/Cooling Methods

Refrigerator next to pizza oven not operating. Repair unit to maintain 41F or below for adequate refrigeratation for volume of business. Unit holding shelf stable dressing PIC voluntarily disposed of bottle of ranch dressing marked 'keep refrigerated". Provide invoice from refrigeration maintenance company upon reinspection.

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 04.3.501
• MINOR 13-2-304/402.11
✓ Corrected

Clean Cloths Hair Restraint

Several food workers without hair restraints. Provide.

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 13.2.304
• MINOR 23-4-602.13
✓ Corrected

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Handle to ice cream blender with caked on food soils. outside of machine with dried ice cream spatters. Thoroughly clean and sanitize unit. Soda refrigerated unit next to ice cream mizer with caked on food soils. Clean to remove.

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 24-4-903.11
✓ Corrected

Clean Equipment & Utensils Storage

Trays being stored behind handsink faucet. Wash/rinse/sanitize/air dry and store away from potential sources of contamination.

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 24.4.903
• MINOR 25-4-904.11
✓ Corrected

Single Service Articles Stored Dispensed

Pizza boxes observed being stored directly on sales floor. Elevate all single use articles and stored in protected areas.

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 25.4.904
• MINOR 32-6-301.11-02.11
✓ Corrected

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

No paper towels at cookline and warewash handsinks. Provide. Maintain paper towels fully stocked. Corrective action taken.

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 33-5-501.13-.17
✓ Corrected

Adequate Number Frequency Vermin Proof

Waste oil container found without cover in alley. Maintain covered. PIC corrective action taken.

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 33.5.501
• MINOR 36-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Floors

Floors in basement storage area with soil debri and open sump pump water basin. Cover water basin with grate or cover to prevent enticement of pest activity. Remove all debri old equipment from basement area.

Why This Matters

CONTAMINATION RESERVOIR: Damaged floors harbor bacteria in cracks. Standing water breeds Listeria, Pseudomonas. Broken tiles create pest harborage. Floor contamination spreads via shoes, equipment wheels, and dropped items. CDC found floor drains positive for Listeria in 40% of retail delis.

Code Requirements

Floors must be: Smooth and non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains (1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot); Coving at wall junctures sealed; No cracks, holes, or missing tiles; Grout intact and sealed; Cleaned daily or more frequently; Dry except when cleaning.

Corrective Actions

Schedule floor repairs within 30 days; Seal all cracks immediately with approved sealant; Improve drainage to eliminate standing water; Increase cleaning frequency; Replace missing tiles; Re-grout as needed; Remove any carpeting from food areas

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006(A) | FDA Code: Section 6-501.11, 6-501.12
• MINOR 37-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings

Stained and missing ceiling tiles in basement. Replace. Basement door to adjacent basement without door sweep and seals around permimeter of door. Seal and provide rodent proof door sweep.

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 39-6-304.11

Rooms and Equipment Vented

Basement prep room with high humidity and ambient room tempertature. Provide adequate ventilation for safety of workers. Determine source of moisture and make all necessary repairs.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 39.6.304
• MINOR 42-6-501.113/.114

Premises Maintained

Out of use refrigerated unit in basement room old mixing attachments and debri in basement room. Remove all items not neccessary to the business.

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
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department