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Sweetwater Cafe

PASS

Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 4:21 PM

Address
3 BOYLSTON PL
Back Bay, MA 02116
Category
FS
Violations
9 total
⚠️ 2 critical
⚠ 1 major
Facility History
16 inspections
6 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 01-3-101/701.11
✓ Corrected

Spoilage Unsafe Food

Cans in the basement are heavily dented and soiled. Discard unsafe 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 01.3.101
⚠️ CRITICAL 03-3-501.16(A)
✓ Corrected

Cold Holding

The food items on the top of the in line refrigerator on the left are above 41F. Blue cheese 48F dressing 50F. Provide proper cold holding of 41F or below.

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)
⚠ MAJOR 35-6-501.111/.115
✓ Corrected

Insects Rodents Animals

Rodent droppings in the basement. Clean and provide pest reports treating for rodents.

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

Bar: The soda gun holders are stored above customer ice. Store 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 08.3.305
• MINOR 21-3-304.14
✓ Corrected

Wiping Cloths Clean Sanitize

Kitchen: Wiping cloths are stored outside of sanitizer. Store properly.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

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

FDA Code: Section 21.3.304
• MINOR 23-4-602.13
✓ Corrected

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Kitchen: Frialator cabinets are soiled with grease. Clean to remove.

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 32-6-301.11-02.11
✓ Corrected

Hand Cleaner Drying Tissue Signage

No soap or paper towels at bar handsink. Provide. Ladies bathroom: No employee handwash signage. 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 36-6-201.11
✓ Corrected

Floors Designed Constructed Installed

There is heavily soiled carpet in the stairs and in the upstairs storage area. Provide a surface that is smooth cleanable and durable.

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

FDA Code: Section 36.6.201
• MINOR 42-6-501.113/.114
✓ Corrected

Premises Maintained

There is a lot of clutter in the basement and upstairs storage. Clean and organize area.

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 42.6.501
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department