🚨 Recent Restaurant Closures 🚨

Tawakal Halal Cafe

FAIL

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 7:27 PM

Address
389 MAVERICK ST
East Boston, MA 02128
Category
FS
Violations
13 total
⚠️ 1 critical
⚠ 5 major
Facility History
18 inspections
7 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-501.16-P1

(A)(1) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Hot Holding Unit- Chicken 99F Beef 101F Noodles 95F. PIC stated they had just been cooked and placed for hot holding one hour ago. Hot holding unit turned off. PIC placed food for immediate re-heating at 165F or above and turned on the hot holding unit. Mantain all TCS foods at 135F or above.

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

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

Retrain staff with regard to hot holding.

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 590.002/2-501.11-PF

Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events (Pf)

No written procedures and no clean-up kit for vomiting and diarrheal events. Provide.

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. Implement proper cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002 | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-302.12-PF

Food Temperature Measuring Devices (Pf)

No proper food thermometer on site. Provide.

Why This Matters

TEMPERATURE ABUSE: Without thermometers, 73% of foods are held at unsafe temperatures. Bacteria double every 20 minutes between 41-135°F. Undercooked ground beef (not reaching 155°F) causes E. coli outbreaks affecting hundreds.

Code Requirements

Provide calibrated probe thermometers immediately: One per cook station minimum, Range -40°F to 200°F, Accurate to ±2°F, Calibrate daily in ice water (32°F). Check temps every 2 hours for holding, always for cooking.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
⚠ MAJOR 590.006/6-301.11-PF

Handwashing Cleanser Availability (Pf)

Handsink inside toilet without soap. Provide.

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
⚠ MAJOR 590.006/6-301.12-PF

Hand Drying Provision (Pf)

Toilet hand sink without paper towel. Provide.

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.004/4-204.112-C

Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality (C)

Some refrigerating unit without proper interior thermometer. 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 590.004/4-501.12-C

Cutting Surfaces (C)

Cutting board with food stains and scored. Resurface and clean/sanitize properly.

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 590.004/4-602.13-C

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Interior and exterior of several refrigerating unit and cooking line equipment soiled. Clean all properly. Several storage shelves soiled. Clean all properly.

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 590.004/4-903.12-C1

Prohibitions (C)

Observed not in use utensils/equipment stored inside the toilet. Remove and discontinue storage in toilet.

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 590.006/6-202.14-C

Toilet Rooms Enclosed (C)

Toilet door not self-closing. Provide

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 590.006/6-501.12-C

Cleaning Frequency and Restrictions (C)

Floor under and around cooking line soiled wall behind cooking line soiled. Clean all properly.

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 cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-501.14-C

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Hood vent with build up of grease. Clean to remove.

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 cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
View Facility Profile →
Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department