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THAI BASIL

PASS

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 6:54 PM

Address
132 NEWBURY ST
Back Bay, MA 02116
Category
FS
Violations
14 total
⚠️ 1 critical
⚠ 3 major
Facility History
78 inspections
35 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-501.16-P1
✓ Corrected

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

Broth left out in ambient air in kitchen area at 112F. Person in charge could not tell how long it has been left out. Person in charge discarded.

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 590.004/4-601.11-PF
✓ Corrected

(A) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (Pf)

Interior of ice machine with visable soils. Clean to remove.

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
⚠ MAJOR 590.005/5-205.11-PF
✓ Corrected

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Hand sink in prep area has boxes of vegetables on top of sink. Person in charge corrected.

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
⚠ MAJOR 590.006/6-501.111-PF
✓ Corrected

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Evidence of rodent activity in drop ceiling in hallway between main dining room and back of house. Provide updated pest reports.

Why This Matters

SEVERE CONTAMINATION: Rodent droppings carry 35+ diseases including Hantavirus (36% mortality rate), Salmonella (20% of cases from rodents), Leptospirosis (kidney/liver failure). Mice contaminate 10 times more food than they eat through urine and droppings.

Code Requirements

IMMEDIATE ACTION: Clean/sanitize all affected areas with 10% bleach solution. Discard ALL exposed food. Seal holes over 1/4 inch (mice) or 1/2 inch (rats). Remove food sources. Install bait stations. Professional extermination within 24 hours.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.003/3-302.11-C
✓ Corrected

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

Multiple items in walk in cooler are uncovered. Cover to prevent potential contamination.

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
• MINOR 590.003/3-305.11-C
✓ Corrected

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Multiple items stored on ground in walk in cooler. Elevate to prevent potential contamination.

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 590.004/4-202.18-C
✓ Corrected

Ventilation Hood Systems Filters (C)

Grease build up on hood vents. 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 590.004. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

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

Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality (C)

No thermometer is glass stand up thermometer on cookline. 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 590.004/4-602.13-C
✓ Corrected

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Clean under cookline equiptment. Exhaust fan in back of kitchen is heavily soiled. Beverage cooler in drink area is soiled Clean to remove all soils.

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 590.005/5-402.12-C
✓ Corrected

Grease Trap(C)

Grease trap is soiled. Clean to remove all soils.

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 590.005/5-501.13-C
✓ Corrected

Receptacles (C)

Grease container in alley is soiled. Clean to remove all soils.

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 590.006/6-301.14-C
✓ Corrected

Handwashing Signage (C)

Hand sink sign is in front of ice bin at coffee station. Move to in front of hand sink.

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 personal hygiene procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-501.112-C
✓ Corrected

Removing Dead or Trapped Birds Insects Rodents and other Pest (C)

Dead rat observed in back alley next to trash area. Remove.

Why This Matters

DISEASE VECTORS: Flies carry 100+ pathogens, land on feces then food. Transfer 2 million bacteria per landing. Roaches spread 33 bacteria types, 6 parasitic worms. One roach can contaminate entire kitchen overnight. Major asthma trigger.

Code Requirements

Eliminate immediately: Kill visible pests, Find and eliminate breeding sites, Fix all screens/seal openings, Remove standing water, Clean drains weekly, Professional treatment if over 5 insects seen, Install fly lights/traps.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.007/7-209.11-C
✓ Corrected

Storage-Other Personal Care Items (C)

Employee personal items stored on bottled beverages in back of house. Remove.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

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
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department