🚨 Recent Restaurant Closures 🚨

COOGAN'S BLUFF

FAIL

Monday, August 20, 2012 at 4:01 PM

Address
171 MILK ST
Financial District, MA 02110
Category
FS
Violations
11 total
⚠️ 3 critical
⚠ 2 major
Facility History
51 inspections
23 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.16

Hot Holding

The soup on the steam table is 127F. Provide proper hot holding of 140F or above and make sure that items are being reheated to 165F.

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

FDA Code: Section 03.3.501
⚠️ CRITICAL 12-3--301.11

Prevention of Contamination from Hands

At the onset of the inspection employees are cutting tomatoes with bare hands. Make sure all the employees are using gloves. The only handsink in the kitchen is blocked during prep. Make sure employees are properly 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.

⚠️ CRITICAL 31-5-204/05.11

Location Accessible

The handsink is blocked during prep. Provide access to sink during preparation.

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

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

The slicer is soiled. Clean to remove. The interior of the ice machine is soiled. Clean to remove.

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

There is a mouse on the trap. Remove. Traps have flies on them and there are flies in the kitchen. Provide treatment. There are droppings on the ground in the basement storage area. Clean and provide treatment. The back door onto the alley with the dumpster is left open. Keep the door closed or provide a screan to keep flying insects out of the kitchen.

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 15-4-202.16

Non-Food Contact Surfaces

Refrigerator shelving is rusted. Resurface or replace.

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 29-5-201/02.11

Installed and Maintained

The handsink faucet is leaking. Repair. The waste pipe from the barice wells is leaking in hte basement. Repair.

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 32-6-301.11-02.11

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

There is no soap or paper towels at the handsink. Provide.

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 34-5-501.111/.115

Outside Storage Improperly Maintained

There are large cracks in the concrete in the trash area. Repair. The dumpsters are uncovered. Keep dumpsters covered.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 34.5.501
• MINOR 37-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings

There are damaged tiles in the kitchen. Repair as needed. The door to the walk in is damaged. Resurface as needed. There is black moldlike buildup on the wall in the basement. Clean to remove. Walls throughout are soiled. Clean to remove.

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

There are large amounts of old equipment and unused items in the basement that may be harboring rodents. Remove all unecessary items so the exterminator can properly treat the 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 42.6.501
View Facility Profile →
Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department