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THAI BASIL

FAIL

Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 3:26 PM

Address
132 NEWBURY ST
Back Bay, MA 02116
Category
FS
Violations
18 total
⚠️ 5 critical
⚠ 3 major
Facility History
78 inspections
35 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.002/2-301.14-P

When to Wash (P)

Employees unable to wash hands at blocked handsinks No observation of employees washing hands at the time of the inspection when returning to the kitchen and when changing tasks- Reviewed at this time and corrected

Why This Matters

ILLNESS TRANSMISSION: 70% of foodborne outbreaks traced to poor handwashing. Unwashed hands after restroom carry 10 billion bacteria including E. coli. One contaminated hand can spread bacteria to 7 surfaces in 10 seconds. Causes 48 million illnesses annually.

Code Requirements

Wash hands for 20 seconds minimum with soap and 100°F water: After restroom ALWAYS, Before food prep, After touching face/hair/clothing, Between raw and ready-to-eat foods, After handling garbage, Every 30 minutes during continuous prep, After any contamination risk.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002 | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-501.14-P

Cooling (P)

Observed deep plastic containers of cooked rice that were covered in heavy plastic cooling on shelving per the PIC. The product had a temperature of 115F and per the PIC was prepared less than an hour prior to the inspection. The product was removed from the deep plastic containers was placed in shallow metal pans and put into the walkin to finish cooling. Procedures were reviewed with the PIC

Why This Matters

TOXIN FORMATION: Clostridium perfringens spores survive cooking and germinate during slow cooling. Produce toxin that causes violent illness. Responsible for 1 million illnesses annually. Large batches can take 24+ hours to cool unsafely.

Code Requirements

Cool rapidly using: Shallow pans (2 inches max), Ice baths with stirring, Blast chiller, Cut large items into portions, Add ice as ingredient. NEVER cool at room temp. NEVER stack hot containers. Monitor with thermometer. Document cooling times.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-501.16-P

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

Numerous prepared products on counters at the time of the inspection in ambient temperatures. Products include cut vegetables at the cook line 55F Shrimp spring rolls on shelving 52F. Products must be properly held at 41F or below- Placed in walkin at 38F

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
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.007/7-204.11-P

Sanitizers Criteria-Chemicals (P)

Chlorine sanitizer at the low temperature dishwasher measured at 200ppm at the time of the inspection. Adjustments were made and water was added. When retested the sanitizer was at 100ppm Reviewed with PIC to test sanitizer daily prior to use

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.007. Implement proper cleaning & sanitization procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.007 | FDA Code: Section 7
⚠️ CRITICAL 590.007/7-207.11-P

Restriction and Storage-Medicines (P)

Numerous personal medications and creams stored on shelving in kitchen with food service items and products- Provide designated area- Corrected on site

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.007. Implement proper food storage procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.007 | FDA Code: Section 7
⚠ MAJOR 590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF

(A) (B) and (C)(1) (4)-(16) Demonstration (Pf)

Numerous priority violations noted on inspection report. Procedures shall be reviewed with all staff for proper temperature control proper handwashing and proper cleaning procedures

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002(B) | FDA Code: Section 2
⚠ MAJOR 590.003/3-501.17-PF

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

Numerous containers of prepared ready to eat foods in refrigeration with no labeling- Production/discard dates- 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 590.003. Implement proper temperature control procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠ MAJOR 590.005/5-205.11-PF

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Handwashing sinks in kitchen blocked by equipment or products- Corrected on Site

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005 | FDA Code: Section 5
• MINOR 590.003/3-302.12-C

Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food (C)

Food containers throughout the kitchen including squeeze bottles small plastic containers on counters and bulk food containers with no labeling- Provide

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 food storage procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

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

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Utensils throughout stored in stagnant water- Discontinue Corrected on site

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 590.003/3-305.12-C

Food Storage Prohibited Areas (C)

Numerous containers of food stored on floors throughout Large containers of products stored below the handsink at the cookline- Removed Panns of rice cooling on shelf behind warewashing area- Removed Reviewed proper storage procedures with the PIC

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 food storage procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.003/3-501.13-C

Thawing (C)

Numerous containers of meats that were frozen solid were stored on the floor below shelving in the kitchen- Reviewed proper cooling procedures and the products were removed and placed in the refrigeration to thaw or to be thawed during cooking

Why This Matters

SURFACE CONTAMINATION: Room temperature thawing allows surface to reach 70°F+ while interior frozen. Bacteria multiply 7-fold every hour. Creates perfect conditions for Salmonella, Campylobacter growth. Major factor in poultry-related illnesses.

Code Requirements

Approved thawing methods ONLY: Under refrigeration (best), Under cold running water (70°F) in sink, In microwave if cooking immediately, As part of cooking process. NEVER at room temperature. Plan ahead for slow thawing.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.004/4-101.19-C

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Cardboard covered in aluminum foil used in several areas throughout the kitchen- Remove

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 590.004/4-501.12-C

Cutting Surfaces (C)

Multiple heavily scored cutting boards- Repair or replace

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)

Areas of the estalishment including floors and shelving throughout esteriors of bulk food containers exteriors of refrigeration including handles with encrusted soils and debris- Clean with proper frequency

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 590.004/4-901.11-C

Equipment and Utensils Air-Drying Required (C)

At the time of the inspection an employee was removing wet items from the dishwasher and stacking the equipment wet without allowing to airdry- Reviewed with PIC and corrected

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 equipment procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.004/4-904.13-C

Preset Tableware (C)

Tables throughout the establishment preset with tableware for customer use- Discontinue

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 590.006/6-501.11-C

Repairing-Premises Structures Attachments and Fixtures-Methods (C)

Ceiling in dry storage area heavily damaged- Repair

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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🍽️ Thai 📍 Bay Village 🚇 Copley Square (Green Line) ⚠️ Rodent Activity ⚠️ Temperature Control ⚠️ Food Storage ⚠️ Handwashing ⚠️ Floor Maintenance ⚠️ Wall and Ceiling Issues ⚠️ Surface Cleanliness ⚠️ Equipment Maintenance ⚠️ Dishwashing ⚠️ Food Labels ⚠️ Food Protection ⚠️ Waste Disposal
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department