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First Bite Cafe

FAIL

Friday, September 27, 2013 at 3:40 PM

Address
66 BRIGHTON AV
Allston, MA 02134
Category
FT
Violations
12 total
⚠️ 3 critical
⚠ 1 major
Facility History
15 inspections
7 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.16

Hot Holding

Cooked meatballs on stove top at 125F. PIC to reheat meatballs to 165F to ensure no bacterial growth. Ensure all potentially hazardous foods are being maintained at 140F and above.

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 12-2-401.11-.12

Good Hygienic Practices

Empployees observed switching between muiltiple tasks and not washing hands in between. Address and ensure all staff have been properly trained on when to wash hands.

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 20-4-703.11

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Sanitizer not registering at the test strip in the dishwasher. Service call was placed at the time of the inspection to address the issue. PIC is to discontinue use if unit is not working properly. Paper products are being used at this time.

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
⚠ MAJOR 22-4-601/602.11

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Long white cutting baord over 3 door deli cooler heavily scoared and visibly soiled. Clean to remove resurface or replace. Blade of can opener in the basement are visibly soiled. Clean to remove. Interior of Hobart stand mixer in the basement area visbly soiled. Clean to remove. Racks being used for the dishwasher heavily soiled. Replace.

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
• MINOR 02-3-602.11-.12/3-302.12

Food Container Labels

Provide legible labels on all food/sauce containers.

Why This Matters

Improper labeling can lead to using wrong or expired ingredients

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 02.3.602
• MINOR 08-3-305-307.11

Food Protection

Boxes and other containers of beef and chicken observed being stored on the ground of the walk-in cooler. Discontinue and store elevated at least 6 inches off the ground.

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

Non-Food Contact Surfaces

Light out inside of 2 door Beverage-Air cooler. 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 16-4-501.11/.15

Dishwashng Facilities

Dishwasher not registering at the sanitizing strip. Address. Service call was placed at the time of the inspection and is scheduled to come out today 9/27/13.

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 16.4.501
• MINOR 23-4-602.13

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Fan covers inside of the 2 door upright Beverage-Air cooler visibly soiled. Clean to remove. Shelf above stove top and grill heavily soiled. Clean to remove. Surface of the 6 top burner visibly soiled. Clean to remove. Excess moisture on lower shelf of the 3 door deli cooler. Clean to remove and repair if necessary. Door handle of white upright freezer visibly soiled an with cacked on foods. Clean to remove. Interior of the first upright freezer in the basement area visbibly soiled and with food debris. Clean to remove. Interior of dishwasher visbly soiled with what appears to be a mold like substance. Address clean to remove and repair if necessary.

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 26-4-502.13

Re-use of Single Service Articles

Single service paper cups being used to dispense sugar. Discotinue and use handled scoops for all bulk to ensure no contamination from hands.

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 26.4.502
• MINOR 32-6-301.11-02.11

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

No soap or paper towles at hand sink. 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 37-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings

Filters above stove top and grill with heavy grease build-up. Clean to remove. Hood and ventilation tags with a past expiration date. Address. Referral has been made to the City of Boston Fire Department.

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