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The Chemist

FAIL

Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 7:11 PM

Address
218 CONGRESS ST
Financial District, MA 02110
Category
FS
Violations
12 total
⚠️ 2 critical
⚠ 4 major
Facility History
7 inspections
4 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-501.16-P

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

Pico de galo 46f lime sour cream 46f cheese 47f tomato 43f pickles 44f with an elevated temperature . Address and ensure all TCS foods are at below 41F prior to being placed out for service

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 590.005/5-202.13-P

Backflow Prevention Air Gap (P)

Prep sinks without proper air gap for backflow prevention. Provide. Use a colander until properly plumbed.

Why This Matters

This violation directly contributes to foodborne illness risk

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
⚠ MAJOR 590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF

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

The full time employee is not a certified food manager. Provide a full time certified food manager at this location. The three bay sink was not set up properly. Properly train the employees to wash equipment in soapy water rinse in clean water sanitize in the third bay and then air dry the items. The employees were unfamiliar with illness policy. Properly train employees

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 590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

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

PIC must be knowledgeable in cooking temperatures cold and hot holding cooling temperatures warewashing cleaning and sanitiation

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 procedure or supplies for vomit/ diarrhea clean up kit./ Provide complete vomit clean up kit

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 590.004/4-601.11-PF

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

kitchen/clean and sanitize soiled can opener and blade to remove soils

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
• MINOR 590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)

Provide certified food manager and allergen trained manager certificate

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.002(C). Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.002(C) | FDA Code: Section 2
• MINOR 590.003/3-304.12-C

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

kitchen/ provide proper scoop with handle for all bulk food bins/remove bowls

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 590.004/4-602.13-C

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Bar clean the the floor under all shelving. kitchen/clean floor area under around and behind all shelving reach in units to remove debris kitchen/clean walls to remove dust and debris Frylator /clean exterior to remove grease build up/ Storage room clean floor area under all shelving Remove all debris and cardboard boxes from the floor Observed heavy frost build up in the fridge located in the Bar. Defrost fridge kitchen and storage room/mop closet/clean floors walls and ceiling to remove heavy soils and staining from ceiling tiles/under around and behind all equipment

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 590.006/6-202.11-C

Light Bulbs Protective Shielding (C)

Employee room missing light shields/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 590.006/6-501.114-C

Maintaining Premises Unnecessary Items and Litter (C)

kitchen the back area is cluttered with boxes and products. Discard unused or empty boxes and organize products so effective cleaning can be done. employee locker area observed in need of organizing and cleaning.

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 590.006/6-501.13-C

Cleaning Floors Dustless Methods (C)

Clean the floor under/around the grease trap & 3 bay sink to remove soils and stagnant water.

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

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
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Tags

📍 Financial District 🚇 South Station (Red Line) ⚠️ Rodent Activity ⚠️ Temperature Control ⚠️ Food Storage ⚠️ Floor Maintenance ⚠️ Wall and Ceiling Issues ⚠️ Surface Cleanliness ⚠️ Equipment Maintenance ⚠️ Dishwashing ⚠️ Food Protection ⚠️ Plumbing Issues ⚠️ Waste Disposal
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department