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Pho Basil

FAIL

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 4:53 PM

Address
177 MASSACHUSETTS AV
Fenway, MA 02115
Category
FS
Violations
15 total
⚠️ 7 critical
⚠ 2 major
Facility History
95 inspections
48 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 01-3-202.11-.17

Recieving/Sound Condition/Proper Temperatures

ensure all cans are inspected upon recieving and no unsafe food is accepted

Why This Matters

Improper temperatures allow rapid bacterial growth, potentially causing severe foodborne illness

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 01.3.202
⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.16(A)

Cold Holding

discarded serve cold at all times store in fridge

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 03-3-501.16(A)

Cold Holding

store garlic and oil refrigerated at all times

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 03-401.11-.12

Cooking Temperatures

thoroughly cook all PHF's and cool properly do not store in the danger zone

Why This Matters

DEADLY CONSEQUENCES: Undercooked foods kill. Salmonella in undercooked chicken affects 1.35 million Americans yearly, killing 420. E. coli O157:H7 in undercooked ground beef causes kidney failure in children. Undercooked pork can transmit Trichinella parasites. Raw eggs may contain Salmonella Enteritidis. Just 10 E. coli bacteria can cause severe illness. Cooking is the ONLY step that kills pathogens in contaminated food.

Code Requirements

MINIMUM COOKING TEMPERATURES: Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck): 165°F for 15 seconds; Ground meats (beef, pork, lamb): 155°F for 15 seconds; Eggs for hot holding: 155°F for 15 seconds; Whole meats (beef, pork, lamb): 145°F for 15 seconds; Fish and seafood: 145°F for 15 seconds; Reheated foods: 165°F within 2 hours; Microwave cooking: 165°F and let stand 2 minutes. MUST verify with calibrated thermometer in thickest part.

Corrective Actions

IMMEDIATE: Continue cooking ALL undercooked items to proper temperature; Discard if cannot reheat properly; Calibrate all thermometers NOW; Post cooking temperature chart at all stations; Assign temperature checking to specific staff; Log all cooking temperatures; Retrain all cooks immediately

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003(D) | FDA Code: Section 3-401.11, 3-401.12
⚠️ CRITICAL 12-2-301.12-.15

Adequate Handwashing/Where/When/How

train employees to wash hands at proper intervals

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 41-7-101.11

Toxic Items: Original Container

separate food storage from toxic items

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 41.7.101
⚠️ CRITICAL 41-7-201/04.11

Separation/Sanitizer Criteria

ensure sanitizer is 200 ppm as manufacturers label states

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section . Implement proper cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

FDA Code: Section 41.7.201
⚠ MAJOR 35-6-501.111/.115

Insects Rodents Animals

clean to remove and provide immediate pest control to target pest

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
⚠ MAJOR 35-6-501.111/.115

Insects Rodents Animals

provide targetted drain cleaner an enzymatic drain cleaner to remove drain flies at basement

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

Food Protection

bury bins in ice to ensure product is always cold at 41 degrees

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 16-4-301.12

Three Compartment Sink

train employee to use sink properly

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 24-4-904.11AB

Improper Storage of Re-usable Utensils

store inverted to protect from contamination

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 24.4.904
• MINOR 32-6-301.11-02.11

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

move paper towel dispenser to eliminate drip from employee washing and dryimg hands at this location

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 32-6-301.11-02.11

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

provide paper towels at all times

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 37-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings

clean thoroughly to remove grease and dust

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