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PARAMOUNT

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Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 2:53 PM

Address
44 CHARLES ST
Beacon Hill, MA 02108
Category
FS
Violations
21 total
⚠️ 5 critical
⚠ 5 major
Facility History
112 inspections
54 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.002/2-301.11-P
✓ Corrected

Clean condition-Hands and Arms (P)

Employees not turning off knobs with a barrier between hands and knobs - Kitchen/prep/ware washing Observed food handlers and ware washing staff not lathering for 20 second - Some did not use soap

Why This Matters

Inadequate handwashing is a leading cause of foodborne illness transmission

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.002. Implement proper personal hygiene procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002 | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.002/2-301.14-P
✓ Corrected

When to Wash (P)

Observed food handlers and ware washing staff not washing hands prior to donning on clean gloves and leaving and returning to work stations

Why This Matters

ILLNESS TRANSMISSION: 70% of foodborne outbreaks traced to poor handwashing. Unwashed hands after restroom carry 10 billion bacteria including E. coli. One contaminated hand can spread bacteria to 7 surfaces in 10 seconds. Causes 48 million illnesses annually.

Code Requirements

Wash hands for 20 seconds minimum with soap and 100°F water: After restroom ALWAYS, Before food prep, After touching face/hair/clothing, Between raw and ready-to-eat foods, After handling garbage, Every 30 minutes during continuous prep, After any contamination risk.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002 | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-302.11-P
✓ Corrected

Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation Packaging and Segregation (P)

Raw beef stored next to onions blueberries and other ready to eat foods in refrigeration Raw eggs stored above onions blueberries and other ready to eat foods in refrigation PIC took corrective action during inspection

Why This Matters

DIRECT CONTAMINATION PATH: Raw chicken contains Salmonella (23% of samples) and Campylobacter (71% of samples). One drop of raw chicken juice can contaminate entire shelf below. Results in 1-3 million US illnesses annually.

Code Requirements

REORGANIZE IMMEDIATELY - Top to bottom: Ready-to-eat foods, Fish/Seafood (145°F), Whole meat/pork (145°F), Ground meat (155°F), Poultry (165°F) on bottom. Use separate coolers if needed. Cover all foods. Train all staff on proper order.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-304.15-P
✓ Corrected

(A) Gloves Use Limitation (P)

Observed food handlers and ware washing staff multitasking leaving and returning to work stations wearing disposable gloves

Why This Matters

FALSE SECURITY: Contaminated gloves spread bacteria MORE than bare hands because workers feel 'protected'. Gloves pick up 5x more bacteria than skin. Not changing between tasks spreads contamination to everything touched.

Code Requirements

Change gloves: After touching raw meat/poultry/fish, Between different food types, After touching face/hair/clothing, Every hour maximum, When switching tasks, After touching any non-food surface. Wash hands BEFORE putting on new gloves.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-501.16-P
✓ Corrected

(A)(2) and (B) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Refrigerated (salad/sandwich unit on cooking line) 50 and 55 F Tomatoes 47 F Cut melon 46 F Cheese 55 F and 57 F Ham 57 F Shredded lettace 62 F Pancake mix with egg in the ingredients 49 F All foods were removed by PIC - Placed in walk in unit and refrigeration compancy called

Why This Matters

RAPID BACTERIAL GROWTH: At 50°F, E. coli doubles every 30 minutes. At 70°F, it doubles every 20 minutes. After 4 hours above 41°F, bacteria can reach dangerous levels causing severe illness. Common result: 24-72 hours of diarrhea, vomiting, fever, potential hospitalization.

Code Requirements

Immediately discard foods held above 41°F for over 4 hours. Rapidly cool foods above 41°F if less than 2 hours. Check ALL cooler temps every 2 hours with calibrated thermometer. Repair/adjust refrigeration immediately. Never store food in non-refrigerated areas.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠ MAJOR 590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
✓ Corrected

(A)-(P) Person-In-Charge-Duties (Pf)

Multiple repeat Priority Priority Foundation and Core violations noted on inspection providing proof that the employees have not been properly trained in food safety and sanitations as it relates to their assigned duties and the PIC is not overseeing day to day operations per code

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.002(D). Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002(D) | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠ MAJOR 590.003(C)/3-301.11-PF
✓ Corrected

Preventing Contamination from Hands (Pf)

Observed employee in beverage area handling fruit for drinks with bare hands - PIC took corrective action during inspection

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003(C). Implement proper personal hygiene procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003(C) | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-501.110-PF
✓ Corrected

Mechanical Warewashing Equipment Wash Solution Temperature (Pf)

Wash temperature on high temp dish machine 130 F

Why This Matters

Improper equipment maintenance can harbor bacteria and contaminate food

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper temperature control procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-601.11-PF
✓ Corrected

(A) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (Pf)

Encrusted and built up soils on door handles door gaskets draws etc of all refrigeration units on cooking/prep line Visable soils on dishes in clean storage in ware washing area

Why This Matters

Improper equipment maintenance can harbor bacteria and contaminate food

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper equipment procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
⚠ MAJOR 590.005/5-205.11-PF
✓ Corrected

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Observed open container of potatoes stored in front of hand washing sink on cooking/prep line - Corrected on site by PIC Observed water pitcher in hand sink and food container in beverage area - Corrected on site by PIC Observed wiping cloth bucking in hand sink basin in ware washing and on serving line - Corrected on site by PIC Blocking hand sinks is a repeat violation

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.005. Implement proper personal hygiene procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005 | FDA Code: Section 5
• MINOR 590.003/3-302.11-C
✓ Corrected

Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation Packaging and Segregation (C)

Open foods not stored in food grade covered/sealed containers - Basement prep/food storage Lid to large flour container cracked - Basement No divider between hand sink and customer ice - Beverage area

Why This Matters

DIRECT CONTAMINATION PATH: Raw chicken contains Salmonella (23% of samples) and Campylobacter (71% of samples). One drop of raw chicken juice can contaminate entire shelf below. Results in 1-3 million US illnesses annually.

Code Requirements

REORGANIZE IMMEDIATELY - Top to bottom: Ready-to-eat foods, Fish/Seafood (145°F), Whole meat/pork (145°F), Ground meat (155°F), Poultry (165°F) on bottom. Use separate coolers if needed. Cover all foods. Train all staff on proper order.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.003/3-302.12-C
✓ Corrected

Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food (C)

In use working food container not label - Kitchen/prep areas Some bulk food containers not labeled - Storage areas

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003. Implement proper food storage procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.003/3-304.12-C
✓ Corrected

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Tongs stored on handle of equipment - Cooking line Ice scoop stored on top of ice machine - Basement

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003. Implement proper equipment procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.003/3-304.14-C
✓ Corrected

Wiping Cloths Use Limitation (C)

In use wiping cloths not stored in a sanitizing solution (cloths stored on food contacts) - Kitchen/prep/ware washing areas

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.003/3-305.11-C
✓ Corrected

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Food containers on floor in walk in freezer Scoop condiments with disposable food containers without handles

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003. Implement proper food storage procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.004/4-301.13-C

Drain boards (C)

Stacking clean and sanitzed equipment on shelving

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.004/4-501.11-C
✓ Corrected

Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment (C)

Rust on interior of salad/sandwich unit Metal divider on interior of salda/sandwich unit in disrepair - Cooking line

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper equipment procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.004/4-602.12-C
✓ Corrected

Cooking and Baking Equipment (C)

Encrusted soils on all cooking equipment include panni presses etc

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper equipment procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.004/4-901.11-C

Equipment and Utensils Air-Drying Required (C)

Stacking clean and sanitzed equipment on shelving

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper equipment procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.006/6-201.11-C
✓ Corrected

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

Built up soils on floors walls ceiling and attachments in cooking ware washing areas

Why This Matters

Poor facility maintenance can harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning

Code Requirements

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Properly sloped to drains; No gaps or cracks; Maintained clean

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-501.11-C

Repairing-Premises Structures Attachments and Fixtures-Methods (C)

Floor in food storage (basement) is in disrepair Wall next to customer ice is in disrepair - Beverage area Chipped and peeling paint on ceiling above ware washing Chipped paint on wall next to 3 bay sink

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.006. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
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Tags

📍 Downtown 🚇 Charles/MGH (Red Line) ⚠️ Rodent Activity ⚠️ Temperature Control ⚠️ Food Storage ⚠️ Cross Contamination ⚠️ Handwashing ⚠️ Gloves ⚠️ Floor Maintenance ⚠️ Wall and Ceiling Issues ⚠️ Equipment Maintenance ⚠️ Dishwashing ⚠️ Food Labels ⚠️ Food Protection ⚠️ Manager Certification ⚠️ Test Kits ⚠️ Plumbing Issues
📍 Neighborhoods 🍽️ Cuisines 🚇 Transit ⚠️ Violations
Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department