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MERENGUE RESTAURANT

PASS W/ CONDITIONS

Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 3:42 PM

Address
156 BLUE HILL AV
Dorchester, MA 02125
Category
FS
Violations
18 total
⚠️ 6 critical
⚠ 2 major
Facility History
112 inspections
51 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.14
✓ Corrected

Cooling

Pork ribs 88 F beef and sauce 116 F. Cooling at room temperature tightly wrapped for unknown time. Provide proper Cooling procedures .

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 03.3.501
⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.16(A)
✓ Corrected

Cold Holding

Garlic and oil 107F Eggs Sausage patties 104 F. Hot hold at 140 or above. Ground beef

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003(D) | FDA Code: Section 3-501.16(A)(2)
⚠️ CRITICAL 27-5-103.11-.12
✓ Corrected

Hot and Cold Water

No hot water at hand wash and warewash sinks.Restaurant open and operating without hot water

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section . Implement proper temperature control procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

FDA Code: Section 27.5.103
⚠️ CRITICAL M-2-102.11
✓ Corrected

PIC Knowledge

PIC not able state proper cooking reheating and cooling temperatures. Review food code hand out. CFPM to monitor staff.

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.

⚠️ CRITICAL M-3-603.11
✓ Corrected

Consumer Advisories

No consumer advisory for for fresh squeezed orange juice and undercooked eggs. Provide.

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.

⚠️ CRITICAL M-8-103.12
✓ Corrected

Conformance w/ Approved Procedures

Discontinue preparing unpastuerized beverage and storing in re-used milk containers.

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.

⚠ MAJOR 22-4-601/602.11
✓ Corrected

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Food utensils used to dispense beans ond other products in basement visibly soiled. Clean to remove or replace. No separation between hand sink at bar and clean dishes. Provide.

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004(G) | FDA Code: Section 4-601.11, 4-602.11
⚠ MAJOR 35-6-501.111/.115
✓ Corrected

Insects Rodents Animals

Open snap traps being used. Discontinue and use proper pest control.

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 08-3-305-307.11
✓ Corrected

Food Protection

Raw meats stored above vegetables. Provide proper separation and storage. Foods stored on ground in freezer. Store 6 inches 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.

FDA Code: Section 08.3.305
• MINOR 10-3-304.12
✓ Corrected

Food Utensil Storage

Knives stored behind paper towel dispenser. Provide proper storage. Knives stored behind sink. Store properly.

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 10.3.304
• MINOR 14-4-202.11
✓ Corrected

Food Contact Surfaces Design

Wooden press and mortar and pestal being used. Discontinue use food grade. Ceramic dish being used to dispense corn meal. Provide food grade utensils. Discontinue use of all wooden utensils.

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 14.4.202
• MINOR 15-4-202.16
✓ Corrected

Non-Food Contact Surfaces

Several shelves in basement made of particle board. Discontinue. Maintain durable cleanable and smooth.

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 15.4.202
• MINOR 16-4-301.12
✓ Corrected

Three Compartment Sink

No drain boards at 3 and 2 bay sinks. 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.

FDA Code: Section 16.4.301
• MINOR 23-4-602.13
✓ Corrected

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Fryers Visisly soiled with grease build up.. Clean interiors and exteriors. Hoods and vents with heavy grease build up. Clean to remove. Outside of beverage air refrigerator visibly soiled. Clean to remove. Tafco walk-in in basement heavily soiled. Provide cleaning of food rack ceilings and walls.

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004(G) | FDA Code: Section 4-602.13
• MINOR 26-4-502.13
✓ Corrected

Re-use of Single Service Articles

Milk and orange juice containers being re-used to store beverages. Discontinue.

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 26.4.502
• MINOR 32-6-301.11-02.11
✓ Corrected

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

No paper towels in dispenser at hand sink by Vulcan oven. No paper towel dispenser at hand sink by dishwasher. Provide. No paper towel dispenser at bar hand sink. Provide.

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 33-5-501.13-.17

Adequate Number Frequency Vermin Proof

No lids on trash receptacles. 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.

FDA Code: Section 33.5.501
• MINOR 38-6-303.11
✓ Corrected

Inadequate Lighting

No light in back of Tafco walk-in. 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.

FDA Code: Section 38.6.303
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department