Harvest Cooperative Supermarket
FAILWednesday, July 6, 2011 at 6:45 PM
Violations Cited
01-3-201.11
Approved Source
The only label on the sushi in the case is from the harvest coop but the manager says it comes from someone else. Provide a wholesale license for the source of the sushi. The pasta that is coming from the Cambridge location is 65F. All food coming from the other location needs to be received at the proper temperatures.
Why This Matters
SEVERE PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT: Unapproved sources bypass all safety controls. Home-prepared foods have caused botulism deaths. Uninspected meat may contain parasites, E. coli O157:H7, or BSE prions. Black market foods linked to tuberculosis, brucellosis outbreaks. Illegal dairy products cause Listeria infections killing 20% of victims. One contaminated batch can sicken hundreds across multiple locations.
Code Requirements
ALL food MUST be from: Licensed, permitted, inspected suppliers; USDA inspected meat and poultry; Grade A dairy products; Approved shellfish dealers on Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List; No home-prepared foods EVER; No wild mushrooms unless certified; Documentation required for all suppliers; Invoices must be kept 90 days.
Corrective Actions
IMMEDIATE: Discard ALL food from unapproved sources; Obtain approved supplier list from health department; Verify all current suppliers are licensed; Create approved supplier program; Train receiving staff on checking sources; Post list of approved suppliers
03-3-501.16(A)
Cold Holding
The cheese cooler is not keeping uniform temperatures. The items in the back are 37F and the items in the front are 47F. Provide proper temperatures of 41F or below for all phf's.
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
12-2-301.12-.15
Adequate Handwashing/Where/When/How
There are four handsinks in the establishment. Two were blocked so employees could not wash their hands and one was out of paper towels. No employees were observed washing their hands. Make sure that employees are properly trained and that they are washing their hands where/when/and how they are supposed to be.
Why This Matters
Inadequate handwashing is a leading cause of foodborne illness transmission
Code Requirements
Immediate correction required. Follow health code section . Implement proper personal hygiene procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.
31-5-204/05.11
Location Accessible
The handsink in the produce area is blocked; the handsink in the meat cutting room is blocked. Remove all items and make sure the sinks are clear for employees to wash their hands.
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
M-2-102.11
PIC Knowledge
The certified manager does not have his allergen awareness certificate. Provide a allergen trained manger. The mangers are not very knowledgable in temperatures and food safety. Provide additional mangers to help ensure that food is kept safe during all operating hours.
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.
22-4-601/602.11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean
The bulk food containers are not washed frequently. Wash the self serve bulk food containers before they are refilled.
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
35-6-501.111/.115
Insects Rodents Animals
There are a large amount of fruit flies in the receiving area. Provide pest reports showing treatment of flies.
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
06-3-501.13
PHF's Properly Thawed
The salmon is being thawed in stagnant water in the third compartment of the three compartment sink. Provide a proper method to thaw phf's and ensure that no food prep is occuring in the third compartment of the three compartment sink.
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.
15-4-202.16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces
The cheese refrigerator is not working properly. Repair.
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.
16-4-301.12
Three Compartment Sink
There is only one three compartment sink in the entire store and that is in the meat room. Provide an additional area to wash rinse and sanitize equipment that is seperate from the raw meat.
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.
32-6-301.11-02.11
Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage
There are no paper towels in the dispenser at the only two handsinks in the store that are not blocked. Make sure that all the handsinks are fully stocked with soap and paper towels so employees can properly wash their hands.
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.
34-5-501.111/.115
Outside Storage Improperly Maintained
There are a large number of flies and the storage area needs to be cleaned. Clean the 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.
36-6-501.11-.12
Improper Maintenance of Floors
There are a lot of damaged floor tiles throughout the store; the painted floor in the receiving area is chipping; the finish is coming off the wood floors in the wine and cheese area; the floor in the kitchen is in disrepair. Repair and replace the floor throughout the establishment to provide surfaces that are smooth cleanable and durable.
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
42-6-501.113/.114
Premises Maintained
There are items stored on top of the produce cooler and excess clutter in the storage areas. Remove all unecessary items and keep the areas free from clutter so the store can be cleaned and the exterminators can do their jobs.
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.