La Cuchara Restaurant Inc.
FAILMonday, June 15, 2015 at 2:13 PM
Violations Cited
03-3-501.16
Hot Holding
Pigs ear at stove 90F chicken leg at hot holding 84F Rice 122F Pea Soup 134F Yuka 122F mashed plantain 114F. Ensure proper hot holding temperatures at 140F or 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
12-2-301.12-.15
Adequate Handwashing/Where/When/How
Staff not able to wash properly wash hands because of obstructed handsinks in disrepair. No handwashing by staff observed at the time of inspection. Ensure all staff has the proper means for washing hands between tasks and glove changes to prevent contamination from 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.
20-4-703.11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean
No sanitizer on site at the time of inspection. Staff washing and rinsing dishes without sanitizing step. Provide commercial sanitizing solution and train staff proper warewashing of wash/rinse/sanitize & air dry.
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
31-5-204/05.11
Location Accessible
Handwash stations were blocked at servicing line and kitchen warewash area with containers and food. Hot water on handsink shut off. Ensure access to handwash stations unobstructed.
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-2-101.11
Person in charge Assigned
No CFPM on site during inspection. Ensure full time Certified Food Protection Manager on site during operation.
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.
M-2-103.11
PIC Performing Duties
PIC not monitoring hot holding final cooking temperatures and proper warewashing. Ensure staff properly trained in warewashing and proper final cooking and hot holding temperatures. Business is operating without proper permits from building division and ISD. Site Cleanliness Health Permit. Provide proper licensure.
Why This Matters
EXTREME RISK: Without active management, ALL five CDC risk factors go unchecked. Studies show restaurants without certified managers have 2.5 times more critical violations. Lack of supervision leads to: temperature abuse (bacteria double every 20 minutes), cross-contamination spreading pathogens, sick employees working with food, improper cooking allowing pathogen survival. This single violation enables conditions for major outbreaks.
Code Requirements
PIC MUST: Be present during ALL operating hours; Hold valid food safety certification; Actively monitor employee health and hygiene; Ensure proper cooking, cooling, and holding temperatures; Verify foods from approved sources; Monitor handwashing compliance; Ensure equipment properly sanitized; Take immediate corrective actions for violations; Demonstrate knowledge to health inspector; Train and supervise all food employees.
Corrective Actions
IMMEDIATE: Designate qualified PIC immediately; If no certified manager available, cease operations; Implement active managerial control system; Create monitoring logs for all CDC risk factors; Retrain management on responsibilities; Post PIC duties checklist
22-4-601/602.11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean
Food bin with potatoes soiled. Clean to remove.
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
30-5-203.14
Cross Connection Back Siphonage Backflow
No backflow device on mop sink in back room. Provide.
Why This Matters
This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness
Code Requirements
Immediate correction required. Follow health code section . Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.
02-3-602.11-.12/3-302.12
Food Container Labels
Barrel of dry rice in kitchen not labled. Provide proper labeling.
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.
14-4-202.11
Food Contact Surfaces Design
Non commercial blender in use and wooden mortar and pestle. Discontinue. Use commercial grade NSF approved equipment. Cutting boards heavily scored. Resurface 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.
15-4-202.16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces
Inadequate shelving in dry storage area. Provide.
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.
16-4-501.11/.15
Dishwashng Facilities
Staff not following proper warewashing procedures. Train staff on proper steps of wash/rinse/sanitize & air dry.
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
Thermometer in drink cooler broken. Replace.
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.
17-4-302.14
Test Kit Provided
No test kit. Provide.
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
Frost buildup in coffin freezer. 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
24-4-903.11
Clean Equipment & Utensils Storage
Bowls stored on counter top not inverted. Store inverted. Serving utensils being stored in standing water. Discontinue. Store properly. Pans being stored on floor in rear storage area. Discontinue and store atleast 6" 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 cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.
29-5-201/02.11
Installed and Maintained
Hot water at kitchen handsink inoperable. 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.
32-6-501.11-.12/6-202.14
Toilet Enclosed Clean
No handwash signage in employee restroom. Provide. Inadequate ventilation window blocked and inaccesible. Repair or provide ventilation.
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.
36-6-501.11-.12
Improper Maintenance of Floors
Floors under and around cookline equipment soiled. Clean to remove.
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
Rear storage area cluttered with shoes and milk crates. Remove. Mops being stored in box on the floor. Store properly 6" off the floor. Mop sink in rear storage area not enclosed. Remove or enclose. Broken refrigerator in front service area. Remove.
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.