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EQUATOR RESTAURANT

PASS W/ CONDITIONS

Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 7:23 PM

Address
1721 WASHINGTON ST
South End, MA 02118
Category
FS
Violations
13 total
⚠️ 1 critical
⚠ 2 major
Facility History
68 inspections
37 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 08-3-302.11/3-304.11
✓ Corrected

Separation Segregation Cross Contamination

2 door glass/properly store all raw chicken

Why This Matters

Cross-contamination can spread dangerous pathogens throughout the facility

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 08.3.302
⚠ MAJOR 22-4-601/602.11
✓ Corrected

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

clean/sanitize all knives and peelers on knife rack clean/sanitize meat grinder clean/sanitize utensils and utensil bin

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
✓ Corrected

Insects Rodents Animals

bar/remove soda rack and clean floor area to remove rodent droppings

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
✓ Corrected

Food Protection

freezer/remove food from cardboard box/provide food service grade container

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 15-4-202.16
✓ Corrected

Non-Food Contact Surfaces

remove all cardboard boxes for 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 15.4.202
• MINOR 17-4-204.112/.115
✓ Corrected

Equipment Thermometers

2 door true/provide accurate internal thermometer high temp/repair rinse gauge

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 17.4.204
• MINOR 21-3-304.14
✓ Corrected

Wiping Cloths Clean Sanitize

remove all sponges

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 21.3.304
• MINOR 23-4-602.13
✓ Corrected

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

hot line/clean interior/exterior of all cooking quipment and attachments clean interior/exterior of all reach in units kitchen/clean all silver shelving wait station/clean all silver shelving clean all portable carts and white shelving

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 24-4-904.11AB
✓ Corrected

Improper Storage of Re-usable Utensils

provide proper storage of all knives and tongs/not to be stored between equipment or on oven handles

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 24.4.904
• MINOR 29-5-201/02.11
✓ Corrected

Installed and Maintained

clean/repair grease trap

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
✓ Corrected

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

handsinks/provide paper towels in dispenser

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 36-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Floors

regrout floor at 3 bay sink

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
✓ Corrected

Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings

clean walls around ice machine and mop sink hot line/clean interior of hood hot line/clean wall behind all cooking equipment storage room/move all equipment and thoroughly clean walls

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
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department