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Rebecca's Cafe

FAIL

Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 4:10 PM

Address
75 STATE ST
North End, MA 02109
Category
FS
Violations
7 total
⚠️ 3 critical
Facility History
13 inspections
5 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.16(A)

Cold Holding

Sliced deli meat(poultry) stacked high at 50F+.Tuna and fresh mozzerella cheese at 47F-two different holding units.Cooked poultry in rear prep refridge at 55.3F(Staff confirmed that product wasn't verified during the cooling procedure). Inspector had to prompt staff to institute corrective actions(?????).

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 31-5-204/05.11

Location Accessible

Staff member wearing a Blue shirt using the handsink out front to dump waste and rinse coffee air pots etc.(???????).

Why This Matters

FORCED NON-COMPLIANCE: Blocked sinks force employees to skip handwashing. Studies show 89% compliance when sinks accessible vs 35% when blocked. Each skipped handwash potentially contaminates multiple food items. Inaccessible sinks contributed to Hepatitis A outbreak affecting 660 people.

Code Requirements

Handwashing sinks must be: Accessible at ALL times; Used ONLY for handwashing; Located within 25 feet of food prep; Clear of all equipment and supplies; Never used for food prep, dishwashing, or chemical disposal; Minimum one sink per 5 workers during peak times.

Corrective Actions

Clear ALL handwashing sinks immediately; Post 'Handwashing Only' signs; Relocate any blocking equipment; Provide alternative sinks for other uses; Train staff on sink designation; Monitor hourly for compliance

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005(D) | FDA Code: Section 5-204.11, 5-205.11
⚠️ CRITICAL M-2-103.11

PIC Performing Duties

Although PIC seems like a nice guy he isn't assurring staff follow proper procedures to provide proper safe and sanitary practices as evidenced through inspection and from interview.There also seems like basic knowledge on Code requirements has been forgotten(Use of handsinks Cooling requirements-verifying time/temperature controls use of veg. wash properly not calibrating metal stem thermometer which infact turned out to be inaccurate etc.See violations noted).Revisit and provide ALL required information.

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
• MINOR 05-4-302.12

Food Thermometers Provided

PIC using a metal stem thermometer to monitor Food temperatures that hadn't been calibrated.If PIC thermometer was used and temperatures taken from his thermometer a 20F difference in a negative way would be reflected.Provide proper equipment.

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 05.4.302
• MINOR 08-3-302.15

Washing fruits and veg's.

PIC states that the concentration for the veg. wash used should be between 5-10ppm.The posted recommended usage from the manufacturer is 60-80ppm.The wrong test kit appears to be in place also.

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 08.3.302
• MINOR 08-3-305-307.11

Food Protection

Establishment utilizing a practice for bread for customer without proper means of protection against contamination(Front counter).

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 15-4-202.16

Non-Food Contact Surfaces

Inadequate space between handsink and steam table(adjacent to one another) in rear prep area.Provide adequate space or splash gaurd.

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
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department