Flik International @ Merck & Co.
FAILWednesday, August 5, 2015 at 3:55 PM
Violations Cited
03-3-501.16
Hot Holding
Fish filet at hot hold service line 125F. Ensure hot holding at 140F or above. Removed by PIC and 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
03-3-501.16(A)
Cold Holding
Tuna wrap sandwiches at service line 52F. Ensure cold holding at 41F or below. Removed by PIC and placed in blast chiller
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