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La Voile Brasserie

FAIL

Monday, August 31, 2009 at 4:35 PM

Address
257 NEWBURY ST
Back Bay, MA 02116
Category
FS
Violations
11 total
⚠️ 4 critical
⚠ 1 major
Facility History
64 inspections
31 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 12-2-301.12-.15

Adequate Handwashing/Where/When/How

Whereas none of the hand sinks were properly equipped with soap or towels and it appeared to be a non-issue amongst the kitchen bar and wait staff management must review proper hand washing procedures with all staff before the reinspection.

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.

FDA Code: Section 12.2.301
⚠️ CRITICAL 12-2-401.11-.12

Good Hygienic Practices

Whereas the hand sinks are not equipped with soap or towels the staff are unable to properly wash their hands. Correct immediately.

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 12-3--301.11

Prevention of Contamination from Hands

The wait staff were observed handling (cutting) bread for the customers without prior hand washing and without a barrier between their bare hands and the bread to be served to the customers. Review proper procedures with the wait staff. At a minimum the wait staff should be utilizing gloves or deli paper to handle the bread.

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.

⚠️ CRITICAL M-2-103.11

PIC Performing Duties

Management failed to identify and correct the obvious lack of hand washing within the establishment.

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003(B) | FDA Code: Section 2-103.11
⚠ MAJOR 35-6-501.111/.115

Insects Rodents Animals

Although no visual evidence of a rodent infestation was observed within the kitchen or dining area rodent droppings were observed in the basement storage area opposite the walk-in refrigerator and within the locker area. Instruct your exterminator to provide an Integrated Pest Management plan to mitigate the situation.

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.007(K) | FDA Code: Section 6-501.111, 6-501.115
• MINOR 13-2-304/402.11

Clean Cloths Hair Restraint

The kitchen staff must be provided hair restraints. The hair restraints must be worn while in the kitchen performing duties.

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.

FDA Code: Section 13.2.304
• MINOR 17-4-204.112/.115

Equipment Thermometers

Replace all missing thermometers. All kitchen refrigeration units should be equipped with a thermometer.

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.

FDA Code: Section 17.4.204
• MINOR 29-5-201/02.11

Installed and Maintained

The chef stated that a second hand wash sink is to be installed within the kitchen. The hand sink is to replace the one that was originally installed but subsequently removed.

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 29.5.201
• MINOR 32-6-301.11-02.11

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

None of the hand sinks within the establishment were equipped with signage (hand washing only) soap or towels. Provide at each station.

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 36-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Floors

A puddle of water was observed on the floor of the storage room. The puddle extended beneath the walk-in refrigerator. The puddle is a potential source of nourishment to the rodents within the storage room.

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006(A) | FDA Code: Section 6-501.11, 6-501.12
• MINOR 37-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings

There are large gaps between the wall and the sides of the air conditioner within the dish area. The gaps between the wall and air conditioner provide a potential route of entry for rodents. The gap should be sealed with a frame to eliminate this potential route of access. The black mold should be wiped from the wall behind the dish machine.

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