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Plaza Cafe

PASS

Monday, May 19, 2025 at 3:25 PM

Address
274 TREMONT ST
Back Bay, MA 02116
Category
FT
Violations
12 total
⚠️ 2 critical
⚠ 3 major
Facility History
23 inspections
12 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-302.11-P
✓ Corrected

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

Raw shell eggs stored abve ready to eat foods. Corrected on site.

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 590.003/3-501.16-P
✓ Corrected

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

Cream at 60F in walk in cooler. Cut veggies at 60F. Discarded. Walk in not holding proper temperature. All TCS foods discarded. Ensure cold holding 41F or below.

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 590.003/3-202.15-PF
✓ Corrected

Package Integrity (Pf)

Molded cheese observed in bag in refrigeration unit. Discarded.

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. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠ MAJOR 590.003/3-501.17-PF
✓ Corrected

Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Date Marking (Pf)

Multiple foods observed withoiut date marking. Foods that are date marked past 7 day period. Ensure proper rotation and date marking for foods held longer than 24 hours.

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. Implement proper temperature control procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-301.11-PF
✓ Corrected

Cooling Heating and Holding Capacities-Equipment (Pf)

One freezer unit observed not working properly. Walk in cooler not working properly. Repair as necessary. Establsihment has enough additional refrigeration while these units are being repaired.

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
• MINOR 590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
✓ Corrected

(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)

Allergy certificates observed expired. Update.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002(C) | FDA Code: Section 2
• MINOR 590.002/2-402.11-C
✓ Corrected

Effectiveness-Hair Restraints (C)

Employee prepping food product without hair restraint. Provide.

Why This Matters

CONTAMINATION RISK: Average person sheds 50-100 hairs daily. Each hair can carry up to 1 million bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus from hair causes rapid food poisoning (1-6 hours) with severe nausea, vomiting, and cramps. Cannot be killed by reheating once toxin forms.

Code Requirements

All staff handling food MUST wear: hairnets, caps, or effective hair restraints covering all hair; beard nets for facial hair over 1/4 inch; no loose hair touching shoulders. Provide hair restraints for all staff immediately.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002 | FDA Code: Section 2
• MINOR 590.003/3-304.12-C
✓ Corrected

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Ice scoop stored with handle in ice. Discontinue.

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 590.004/4-204.112-C
✓ Corrected

Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality (C)

No thermometer in walk in cooler. Provide.

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 temperature control procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.005/5-205.15-C
✓ Corrected

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Multiple hand sinks observed leaking. Repair as necesary.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005 | FDA Code: Section 5
• MINOR 590.006/6-202.11-C
✓ Corrected

Light Bulbs Protective Shielding (C)

Multiple light sheilds observed missing in kitchen area. Replace.

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
• MINOR 590.006/6-303.11-C
✓ Corrected

Intensity-Lighting (C)

Multiple lights out in kitchen prep area. Replace.

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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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department