Kaju Tofu House
FAILTuesday, October 8, 2013 at 6:09 PM
Violations Cited
03-3-501.16
Hot Holding
Cooked Flan and other foods on hot holding table with a temperature of 110F. Discontinue and ensure all potentially hazardous foods are being maintained at 140F and above. Foods were reheated at the time of the inspection to 165F to ensure no bacterial growth.
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
Bay sprouts inside of upright 2 door True cooler with an elevated temperature 52F. PIC stated that the sprouts were delivered earlier that day. Ensure all potentially hazardous foods are being maintained at below 41F. The other food products in the unit were whole vegetables.
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
Employee observed washing a soiled sink and then returning to food preparation wihout washing hands. Ensure all staff have been properly trained on how and when to wash hands.
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.
12-3--301.11
Prevention of Contamination from Hands
Employe observed handling ready to eat scallions with bare hands. Discontinue and restrict all bare hand contact with ready to eat foods.
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.
22-4-601/602.11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean
Small cutting board in back preparation room in basement area visibly soiled and scoared. Clean to remove resurface or 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
06-3-501.13
PHF's Properly Thawed
Frozen salted mackeral observed being thawed in stagnant water. Discontinue and ensure proper thawing methods aer in place.
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.
08-3-305-307.11
Food Protection
At the time of the inspection cooked noodles in plastic container observed being stored in hand sink. Discontinue and store all foods in clean and protected area's. Container of soy sauce observed being stored on the ground in the basement area. Discontinue and store elevated at least 6 icnhes 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.
15-4-202.16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces
Saran wrap and tape observed linning the shelf in the 2 door cooler. Remove. Refrigerator # 4 with an elevated temperature of 49F. Address and repair if necessary. Discontinue use if unit is unable to maintain a temperature of below 41F.
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.
17-4-204.112/.115
Equipment Thermometers
Provide equipment thermometers for all upright coolers.
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.
18-4-603.12
Pre-Flushed Scrapped Soaked
Employees observed Washing and rinsing in the rinse portion of the 3 bay sink. Discontinue and ensure all staff are porperly trained on how to wash rinse and sanitize all equipment.
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.
23-4-602.13
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
8 Top burner with excess carbon build-up. Clean to remove. Interior of 3 door deli style cooler visibly soiled. Clean to remove. Storage shelves in main kitchen visibly soiled. Clean to remove.
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
26-4-502.13
Re-use of Single Service Articles
Sinlge use styrafoam cup observed being used to dispense Soy Sauce. Discontinue and use an handled scoop to prevent 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.
29-5-201/02.11
Installed and Maintained
Faucet at the 2 bay sink is leaking. Repair or 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.
37-6-501.11-.12
Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings
Filters above stove top and grill with excess grease build-up. Clean to remove. Hood and ventilation tags were up to date at the time of the inspection. Wall behind preparation table in small room in basement heavily soiled. Clean to remove.
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