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UPTOWN CAFE

FAIL

Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 1:54 PM

Address
106 CAMBRIDGE ST
West End, MA 02114
Category
FT
Violations
9 total
⚠️ 1 critical
⚠ 1 major
Facility History
40 inspections
18 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 03-401.11-.12

Cooking Temperatures

Cook was partially cooking chicken 137F then placing chicken in hot water . Remove. Cook to 165F then hold 140F or above.

Why This Matters

DEADLY CONSEQUENCES: Undercooked foods kill. Salmonella in undercooked chicken affects 1.35 million Americans yearly, killing 420. E. coli O157:H7 in undercooked ground beef causes kidney failure in children. Undercooked pork can transmit Trichinella parasites. Raw eggs may contain Salmonella Enteritidis. Just 10 E. coli bacteria can cause severe illness. Cooking is the ONLY step that kills pathogens in contaminated food.

Code Requirements

MINIMUM COOKING TEMPERATURES: Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck): 165°F for 15 seconds; Ground meats (beef, pork, lamb): 155°F for 15 seconds; Eggs for hot holding: 155°F for 15 seconds; Whole meats (beef, pork, lamb): 145°F for 15 seconds; Fish and seafood: 145°F for 15 seconds; Reheated foods: 165°F within 2 hours; Microwave cooking: 165°F and let stand 2 minutes. MUST verify with calibrated thermometer in thickest part.

Corrective Actions

IMMEDIATE: Continue cooking ALL undercooked items to proper temperature; Discard if cannot reheat properly; Calibrate all thermometers NOW; Post cooking temperature chart at all stations; Assign temperature checking to specific staff; Log all cooking temperatures; Retrain all cooks immediately

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003(D) | FDA Code: Section 3-401.11, 3-401.12
⚠ MAJOR 22-4-601/602.11

Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Heavly soiled meat slicer . Remove. All parts and clean & sanitizer before using.

Why This Matters

BIOFILM FORMATION: Visible soil indicates biofilms - communities of bacteria protected by slime layers that resist sanitizers. Biofilms on slicers have caused Listeria outbreaks killing 30% of victims. Meat slicer contamination sickened 300 across 6 states. Grease harbors Listeria which grows at refrigeration temperatures.

Code Requirements

Food contact surfaces must be: Visibly clean with no food debris; Free of grease accumulation; Smooth and cleanable; Cleaned and sanitized after each use; Cleaned every 4 hours if in continuous use; Equipment must be disassembled for cleaning when necessary.

Corrective Actions

Clean and sanitize ALL equipment immediately; Disassemble equipment for thorough cleaning; Establish cleaning schedule with assigned responsibilities; Use cleaning checklist; Train on proper disassembly; Increase cleaning frequency

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004(G) | FDA Code: Section 4-601.11, 4-602.11
• MINOR 08-3-305-307.11

Food Protection

Food products found on floor in storage area and cooler . Remove Store properly 6inches off the store.

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 14-4-202.11

Food Contact Surfaces Design

Heavly scored cutting board . Remove and Replace.

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 14.4.202
• MINOR 15-4-202.16

Non-Food Contact Surfaces

Plastic covering shelving at sandwich station. Remove shelving must remain cleanable. Torn gasket on freezer chest. Repair

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 15.4.202
• MINOR 23-4-602.13

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

Soils food debris on storage Racks carts interior and exterior of all refrigeration unit. Handles doors exterior of oven and shelving . 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 29-5-201/02.11

Installed and Maintained

Leaky pipe under three comparment sink. Repair

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 29.5.201
• MINOR 36-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Floors

Soils and debris and excess of water on floor in walkin refrigerator . Clean

Why This Matters

CONTAMINATION RESERVOIR: Damaged floors harbor bacteria in cracks. Standing water breeds Listeria, Pseudomonas. Broken tiles create pest harborage. Floor contamination spreads via shoes, equipment wheels, and dropped items. CDC found floor drains positive for Listeria in 40% of retail delis.

Code Requirements

Floors must be: Smooth and non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains (1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot); Coving at wall junctures sealed; No cracks, holes, or missing tiles; Grout intact and sealed; Cleaned daily or more frequently; Dry except when cleaning.

Corrective Actions

Schedule floor repairs within 30 days; Seal all cracks immediately with approved sealant; Improve drainage to eliminate standing water; Increase cleaning frequency; Replace missing tiles; Re-grout as needed; Remove any carpeting from food areas

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006(A) | FDA Code: Section 6-501.11, 6-501.12
• MINOR 37-6-501.11-.12

Improper Maintenance of Walls/Ceilings

Soils and debris on walls in storage area and warewash area. Clean.

Why This Matters

OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION: Peeling paint and debris fall into food. Condensation on ceilings drips bacteria onto prep surfaces. Studies found ceiling tiles harbor Bacillus cereus spores. Restaurant ceiling collapse contaminated food service for 200 guests.

Code Requirements

Walls/ceilings must be: Smooth and washable in food areas; Light-colored for easy soil detection; Free of holes, cracks, peeling paint; Sealed at all joints and attachments; Clean and free of grease, dust, cobwebs; Non-absorbent in areas subject to moisture.

Corrective Actions

Repair all holes within 14 days; Repaint with washable paint; Replace damaged ceiling tiles; Seal all penetrations; Clean walls and ceilings monthly; Fix any leaks immediately; Install FRP panels in splash zones

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006(B) | FDA Code: Section 6-501.11, 6-501.12
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Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department