🚨 Recent Restaurant Closures 🚨

EL CHALAN

FAIL

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 5:24 PM

Address
405 CHELSEA ST
East Boston, MA 02128
Category
FT
Violations
13 total
⚠️ 5 critical
Facility History
117 inspections
57 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.16
✓ Corrected

Hot Holding

Whole chickens are 125F.in the hot holding unit. Out for an hour.Re-heated to 160F.

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 03-3-501.16(A)
✓ Corrected

Cold Holding

Salads in small foam trays are out at room temperature - 71F. voluntarily discarded

Why This Matters

THE DANGER ZONE KILLS: Between 41°F-135°F bacteria double every 20 minutes. At 70°F, 10 bacteria become 10,000 in 2 hours, 10 million in 4 hours. Staphylococcus aureus produces heat-stable toxins that cooking cannot destroy. Clostridium perfringens causes 1 million illnesses yearly from temperature abuse. Listeria grows even under refrigeration, killing 20% of victims including pregnant women and newborns.

Code Requirements

ALL TCS foods MUST be held at 41°F or below at ALL times. This includes: All meat, poultry, seafood; Dairy products; Cut melons, tomatoes, leafy greens; Cooked rice, pasta, potatoes; Tofu, soy products; Sprouts; Garlic in oil. Check temperatures every 2 hours (4 hours maximum). If above 41°F for less than 2 hours, rapidly cool. If above 41°F for 2-4 hours, use immediately. If above 41°F for over 4 hours, DISCARD.

Corrective Actions

IMMEDIATE: Check ALL refrigerated foods NOW; Discard any food above 41°F for >4 hours; Rapidly cool foods 41-70°F if <4 hours; Repair/adjust all refrigeration immediately; Reduce inventory to prevent overstocking; Install thermometers in warmest part of all coolers; Implement 2-hour temperature checks; Create power outage procedure

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003(D) | FDA Code: Section 3-501.16(A)(2)
⚠️ CRITICAL 31-5-204/05.11
✓ Corrected

Location Accessible

Handsink being blocked in the rear of the kitchen. Discontiunue and keep clear.

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
⚠️ CRITICAL 41-7-102.11
✓ Corrected

Labeled Common Name

Label all clear plastic spray bottles to identify product properly

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 41.7.102
⚠️ CRITICAL M-2-101.11

Person in charge Assigned

No one on site to oversee operation. Several violations visible

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

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

• MINOR 05-4-302.12

Food Thermometers Provided

No food thermometer on site. Provide

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 05.4.302
• MINOR 10-3-304.12

Food Utensil Storage

Knives stored in-between equipment. Discontinue

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 10.3.304
• MINOR 15-4-202.16

Non-Food Contact Surfaces

Remove aluminum foil being used to line shelving and provide a cleanable surface.Re-surface rusted tops of the refrigeration units. Food and paper supplies are being stored on them

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 18-4-603.12
✓ Corrected

Pre-Flushed Scrapped Soaked

Several soiled pots and pans under the sink. Pre-scrape to reduce possible contamination

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 18.4.603
• MINOR 23-4-602.13
✓ Corrected

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Clean inside and outside of all refrigeration units from all visible stains and soils. Clean counter tops from all food spills stains and soils

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 34-5-501.111/.115
✓ Corrected

Outside Storage Improperly Maintained

Clean loose trash and debris from rear of dumpster area

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
✓ Corrected

Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings

Clean walls throughout kitchen from old food stains and soils

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
✓ Corrected

Premises Maintained

Elevate soiled mop off the floor at least six inches during storage

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