🚨 Recent Restaurant Closures 🚨

First Bite Cafe

FAIL

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 4:06 PM

Address
66 BRIGHTON AV
Allston, MA 02134
Category
FT
Violations
11 total
⚠️ 4 critical
⚠ 2 major
Facility History
15 inspections
7 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.16

Hot Holding

The grilled chicken within the hot holding unit was at 117 F. The tomato sauce was also at 117 F. The sauce and chicken must be held hot at or above 140 F. The owner set the unit to a higher temperature setting to correct the issue.

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 08-3-302.11/3-304.11

Separation Segregation Cross Contamination

A trash can is stored between the right end of the drainage board of the three-basin sink and the wall. The right side of the three basin sink is designated as the drainage/drying area for the clean and sanitized equipment. The trash container cannot be stored in this location and must be moved so that it cannot contaminate the clean and sanitized equipment or the sanitized drainage/drying surface.

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
⚠️ CRITICAL 20-4-703.11

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

The dough hook and other equipment were observed within and adjacent to the large basement hand sink. The brushes and detergent in the basement suggest that the sink has been utilized for both hand washing and equipment cleaning. The sink is for hand washing only. The equipment must be brought upstairs for proper cleaning and sanitizing.

Why This Matters

INVISIBLE KILLERS: Bacteria survive on 'clean-looking' surfaces for days. Inadequate sanitization caused Salmonella outbreak affecting 1,500 people via ice cream. Cutting boards can harbor 200 times more fecal bacteria than toilet seats. E. coli survives 1-4 hours on surfaces. Norovirus survives 2 weeks. One contaminated slicer infected 300 people with Listeria.

Code Requirements

SANITIZATION MANDATORY: Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary Ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds by immersion; Contact time: minimum 7-30 seconds depending on sanitizer; Test concentration EVERY 2 hours; Change solution when visibly soiled; ALL food contact surfaces must be sanitized: After each use with different foods; When switching raw to ready-to-eat; Every 4 hours in continuous use.

Corrective Actions

IMMEDIATE: Set up proper sanitizer at ALL stations; Test and adjust concentration NOW; Re-sanitize ALL food contact surfaces; Obtain test strips immediately; Post sanitizer concentration chart; Train staff on test strip use; Create sanitization log; Change solutions every 2 hours minimum

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004(G) | FDA Code: Section 4-703.11
⚠️ CRITICAL 31-5-204/05.11

Location Accessible

The hand sink in the basement is not to be utilized to clean equipment. The hand sink at the back of the store was covered with a box of bacon. This hand sink must remain free from clutter and accessible 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

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Sanitizing buckets must be set up each morning before the start of food preparation. The cutting boards slicers etc. must be properly cleaned and sanitized each morning before 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 35-6-501.111/.115

Insects Rodents Animals

Three live cockroaches and two dead cockroaches were observed on the basement floor and walls. The exterminator must provide an integrated pest management (IPM) plan to the Health Division. The health plan must describe how the exterminator and ownership plan to mitigate the cockroach infestation.

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 13-2-304/402.11

Clean Cloths Hair Restraint

Food preparation staff must wear hair restraints while working.

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 17-4-204.112/.115

Equipment Thermometers

The thermometer mounted on the condenser to the walk-in refrigerator is not working. The thermometer read 60 F during the inspection. The actual temperature of the walk-in was approximately 39 F by the inspector's thermometer.

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

Wiping Cloths Clean Sanitize

No sanitizing buckets were observed within the active food preparation areas. Soiled wiping cloths must be stored within sanitizing buckets.

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 37-6-201.11

Walls/Ceilings Designed Constructed Installed

If the rear door is to be kept open to keep the kitchen cool a screen door must be installed and maintained closed to prevent pests from accessing the kitchen or basement food preparation/food storage area below.

Why This Matters

Poor facility maintenance can harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning

Code Requirements

Smooth, washable surfaces; No holes or damage; Light-colored in food areas; Clean condition

FDA Code: Section 37.6.201
• MINOR 42-6-501.113/.114

Premises Maintained

Power tools nails and other equipment were observed on the food preparation table beside the slicer. Tools cannot be stored or placed on any food preparation surface. The tools must be properly stored.

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