🚨 Recent Restaurant Closures 🚨

CAFE PODIMA

PASS W/ CONDITIONS

Monday, December 18, 2017 at 3:45 PM

Address
168 CAMBRIDGE ST
West End, MA 02114
Category
FT
Violations
10 total
⚠️ 2 critical
⚠ 2 major
Facility History
37 inspections
18 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 12-2-401.11-.12
✓ Corrected

Good Hygienic Practices

Evidence of smoking in establishment. Discontinue. Remove.

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 12.2.401
⚠️ CRITICAL M-2-103.11

PIC Performing Duties

CFPM is not monitoring cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces general facility maintenance & food protection. Provide active managerial control as it is defined in the 1999 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
⚠ MAJOR 22-4-601/602.11

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Dough ball machine slicer found with caked on food soils. Clean food equipment with proper frequency after eash use. Wash/rinse/sanitize/air dry.

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 35-6-501.111/.115

Insects Rodents Animals

Evidence of rodent activity with droppings in basement area. Provide an updated pest control report from license pest control company. Evidence of fruit flies. Provide pest control report. Page exterminators on site at the time of inspection however services being provided and no IPM report submitted to health division at the time of inspection. Provide IPM report.

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 08-3-305-307.11

Food Protection

Establishment is preparing foods in basement prep area in unsanitary conditions with standing water and improper cleaning of food contact surfaces. Discontinue preparing foods in basement area until sited concerns are remediated and foods can be prepared in a protected clean sanitary environment free of moisture and grey water. Remove food preparation equipment from basement and cease and desist food preparation in basement area until it can be established that the area is not subject to physical biological or chemical contamination. Area is unsanitary due to presence of peeling paint on walls and moisture/water in adjacent basement room and pest activity.

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 29-5-201/02.11

Installed and Maintained

Standing water coming from basement room adjacent to basement prep area. Determine source of water make all neccessary repairs to sump pumps and/or plumbing to prevent water in basement.

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 29.5.201
• MINOR 36-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Floors

Floors in basement area with standing water in adjacent room to prep area. Clean to remove.

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

Peeling paint on wall behind dry storage canned goods in basement. Remove & Resurface.

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 40-6-305.11
✓ Corrected

Dressing Rooms Clean/Lockers Provided

Personal items shoes being stored in out of use pepsi cooler in basement above dry food goods. Store personal employee items in designated area away from storage of foods.

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 40.6.305
• MINOR 42-6-501.113/.114

Premises Maintained

Multiple pieces of out of use restaurant equipment in basement room adjacent to prep area. Remove all items not in use.

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
View Facility Profile →
Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department