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Facility: Maria's Taco Shop #2
Address: 350 Bellevue Road, Atwater, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Satisfactory (Total Points: 11.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 6-28-2021: Satisfactory (Total Points: 11.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
6-28-2021 Wiping cloths used to wipe service counters, scales or other surfaces that may come into contact with food shall be used only once unless kept in clean water with sanitizer. (114135, 114185, 114185.1, 11485.2, 114185.3) 2.00 Cloths used to wipe service counters, scales, and other surfaces that may directly or indirectly contact food shall be used only once until laundered or may be used repeatedly if held in a sanitizing solution, as described below. Cloths used with raw foods of animal origin shall be used only once until laundered or may be used repeatedly if kept in a separate container of sanitizing solution, as described below:
(1) Contact with a solution of 100 ppm available chlorine solution for at least 30 seconds.
(2) Contact with a solution of 25 ppm available iodine for at least one minute.
(3) Contact with a solution of 200 ppm quaternary ammonium for at least one minute.
(4) Contact with any chemical sanitizer that meets the requirements of Section 180.940 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations when used in accordance with the manufacturer's use directions. 		(REPEAT VIOLATION 2) Observed the use of multi-use wiping cloths and not being stored in sanitizer solution when not in use. Store all wiping cloths in sanitizer solution when not in use. Cloths were moved into buckets during inspection 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-28-2021 All utensils and equipment shall be fully operative, clean, and in good repair. (114115, 114175). All utensils and equipment shall be approved, installed properly, and meet applicable standards. (114130, 114130.1, 114130.2, 114130.3, 114130.4, 114130.5, 114130.6, 114132, 114133, 114137, 114139, 114143, 114153, 114155, 114163, 114165, 114167, 114169, 114172, 114175, 114177, 114180, 114182) 1.00 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. The food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans shall be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other debris accumulations.

Keep all food facilities, and all utensils, display cases, windows, counters, shelves, tables, refrigeration units, sinks, dishwashing machines, and other equipment or utensils used in the storage, preparation, sale, service, and display of food, clean, fully operative, and in good repair.

The non-food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Equipment shall be reassembled so that food-contact surfaces are not contaminated. 		Observed the facility is using a drill and attaching a long metal mixing rod to mix refried beans. Remove drill and discontinue using this equipment. Facility must obtain commercial food grade equipment. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-28-2021 Handwashing signs shall be posted in each toilet room, directing attention to the need to thoroughly wash hands after using the restroom. (113953.5)

No smoking signs shall be posted in food preparation, food storage, and warewashing areas. (113978)

Consumers shall be notified that clean tableware is to be used when they return to self-service areas such as salad bars and buffets. (114075)

Any food facility constructed before January 1, 2004 without public toilet facilities shall prominently post a sign within the food facility in a public area stating that toilet facilities are not provided. (113725.1, 114276, 114381 (e)) 		1.00 Post permit in a conspicuous place (It is recommended that the permit be in customer view.). Post a notice advising patrons that a copy of the most recent routine inspection report is available for review by interested parties. Keep a copy of the most recent health inspection report at the facility for customer review purposes.

Post and maintain a legible and conspicuous sign in each toilet room directing attention to the need to thoroughly wash hands after using the toilet.

Post and maintain a legible "No Smoking" sign in food preparation, food storage, and utensil washing areas.

 Observed the lack of a handwashing sign in the womens restroom. Provide a posted notice to remind employees to wash their hands after visiting the restroom. Failure to post a handwashing sign in each toilet room. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-28-2021 The walls / ceilings shall have durable, smooth, nonabsorbent, light-colored, and washable surfaces. All floor surfaces, other than the customer service areas, shall be approved, smooth, durable and made of nonabsorbent material that is easily cleanable. Approved base coving shall be provided in all areas, except customer service areas and where food is stored in original unopened containers. Food facilities shall be fully enclosed. All food facilities shall be kept clean and in good repair. (114065, 114067, 114069, 114175, 114143, 114257, 114259.2, 114266, 114268, 114268.1, 114271, 114272) 1.00 All food facilities shall be kept clean, fully operative, and in good repair. Floor surfaces in all areas in which food is prepared, packaged or stored, where any utensil is washed, where refuse or garbage is stored, where janitorial facilities are located, and in all restrooms and hand washing areas shall be smooth and of durable construction and made from non absorbent material that is easily cleanable.

Each permanent food facility shall be fully enclosed in a building consisting of permanent floors, walls, and an overhead structure that meets minimum standards. Food facilities that are not fully enclosed on all sides and that are in operation on January 1, 1985, shall not be required to meet the requirements of this section until the facility is remodeled or has a significant menu change or a change in its method of operation. Full enclosure is not required for dining areas and certain other areas when approved for outdoor food services.
 Deep cleaning recommended in the back of house. (Floors and walls) 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-28-2021 Food facilities that prepare food shall be equipped with warewashing facilities. Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to measure the applicable sanitization method. (114067(f,g), 114099, 114099.1, 114099.2, 114099.3, 114099.4, 114099.5, 114099.6, 114099.7, 114101, 114101.1, 114101.2, 114103, 114107, 114125) 1.00 Provide a sink with at least 3 compartments with 2 integral metal drainboards. The sink compartments and drainage facilities shall be large enough to accommodate the largest utensil or piece of equipment to be cleaned therein.

Clean the utensils in one of the following ways:

(1) Manual warewashing shall be accomplished by using a 3-compartment sink where the utensils are first pre-cleaned, then washed, rinsed, sanitized, and air dried. The temperature of the washing solution shall be maintained at not less than 100°F or the temperature specified on the cleaning agent manufacturer's label instructions. The utensils shall then be rinsed in clear water before being immersed in a sanitizing solution. Manual sanitization shall be accomplished in the final sanitizing rinse by one of the following:
(a) Immersion for at least 30 seconds where the water temperature is maintained at 171°F or above.
(b) The application of sanitizing chemicals by immersion, manual swabbing, or brushing, using one of the following solutions:
(1) Contact with a solution of 100 ppm available chlorine solution for at least 30 seconds.
(2) Contact with a solution of 25 ppm available iodine for at least one minute.
(3) Contact with a solution of 200 ppm quaternary ammonium for at least one minute.
(4) Contact with a solution of ozone that meets the requirements of Section 180.940 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations and that is generated by a device located onsite at the food facility that meets all of the requirements of 114099.6.
(c) Other methods approved by the enforcement agency.

(2) Mechanical machine warewashing shall be accomplished by using an approved machine installed and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Soiled items to be cleaned in a warewashing machine shall be loaded in racks, trays, or baskets or onto conveyors in a position that exposes the items to the unobstructed spray during all cycles and allows the items to drain. Mechanical sanitization shall be accomplished in the final sanitizing rinse by one of the following:
(a) By being cycled through equipment achieving a utensil surface temperature of 160°F or above.
(b) The mechanical application of sanitizing chemicals by pressure spraying methods using one of the following:
(1) Contact with a solution of 50 ppm available chlorine solution for at least 30 seconds.
(2) Contact with a solution of 25 ppm available iodine for at least one minute.
(3) Contact with any chemical sanitizer that meets the requirements of Section 180.940 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations when used in accordance with both the sanitizer manufacturers use directions and the machine manufacturer's specifications.

Provide testing equipment and materials to adequately measure the applicable sanitization method. 		Observed the build up of debris/food residue on the inside portion of the walk-in fridge unit. Clean/sanitize and increase frequency to prevent build up. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-28-2021 All food shall be separated and protected from contamination. (113984, 113986, 113988, 113990, 114060, 114067, 114069, 114077, 114079, 114089.1 (c), 114143 (c)) 2.00 Destroy all contaminated food. All food shall be prepared, stored, displayed, dispensed, placed, transported, sold, and served as to be protected from dirt, vermin, unnecessary handling, droplet contamination, overhead leakage, or other contamination.
If unpackaged food is displayed and sold in bulk in other than self-service containers, then it shall be served by an employee of the food establishment directly to a consumer and shall be displayed in clean, sanitary, and covered or otherwise protected containers.
For bulk customer self-service food items, such as salad bars, buffet type foods, and other ready-to-eat food, install sneeze guards that intercept a direct line between the customer's mouth and the food being offered, dispense from approved mechanical dispensers, or employ other effective means to protect ready-to-eat food from contamination.
Protect all cartons, boxes, or other materials used in the packaging of any food from dirt, vermin, and other forms of contamination or adulteration. 		(REEAT VIOLATION) Observed food items in the walk-in refrigerator that was uncovered / not protected from potential contamination. Ensure all food not under diligent preparation is appropriately covered with non porous lid or covering material to protect from potential contamination.

Observed a bowl being used as a scooping utensil and being left inside the container. Remove and discontinue practice. Use proper scooping utensils and store in a way to prevent possible contamination. 		0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-28-2021 Potentially hazardous foods shall be held at or below 41°/ 45°F or at or above 135°F. (113996, 113998, 114037, 114343(a)) 3.00 Hold potentially hazardous foods either at or above 135°F or at or below 41°F. Hold the following potentially hazardous foods at 45°F: raw shell eggs, unshucked live molluscan shellfish, pasteurized milk and pasteurized milk products in original, sealed containers. Potentially hazardous foods held for dispensing in a serving line or a salad bar (not in a display case) may be held at 45°F or less during periods not to exceed 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Discard all potentially hazardous food that has been out of an approved time and temperature range. (CDI) Observed the ambient temperature and food temperatures inside the walk-in fridge was measured at 45F during the inspection. Thermostat was adjusted and ambient temperature dropped to 40F during the inspection. Keep all potentially hazardous food items at 41F and under. Corrected during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 2-06-2020: Unsatisfactory - reinspection required (Total Points: 32.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
2-06-2020 Food employees shall keep their hands and exposed portions of their arms clean, and shall maaintain fingernails so they are cleanable. Employees are required to wash their hands: before beginning work; before handling food / equipment / utensils; as often as necessary during food preparation to remove soil and contamination; when switching from working with raw to ready-to-eat foods; after touching body parts; after using the toilet room; or any time when contamination may occur. (113952, 113953.3, 113968, 113973 (a-g). Whenever gloves are worn, they shall be changed as often as handwashing is required. 7.00 The food employee shall wash their hands and portion of arms as required, and use utensils and gloves appropriately. Observed employees washing hands with only cold water. Employees must wash hands with warm water at 100F minimum. Employees were instructed to do so during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-06-2020 An accurate easily readable metal probe thermometer suitable for measuring temperature of food shall be available to the food handler. A thermometer +/- 2°F shall be provided for each hot and cold holding unit of potentially hazardous foods and high temperature warewashing machines. (114157, 114159) 1.00 Have a thermometer accurate to within 2°F or 1°C in each hot and cold holding unit. Have a metal probe type thermometer readily available on premises (to all appropriate staff) that is calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications as necessary to ensure accuracy. Observed the lack of a probe thermometer at the facility to check food items. Obtain a thermometer to do so. Recommend a digital thermometer. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-06-2020 All food employees shall have adequate knowledge of and be trained in food safety as it relates to their assigned duties. The person in charge shall have adequate knowledge of, and shall educate employees of the food facility regarding major food allergens. (113947) Food facilities that prepare, handle or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food, shall have an employee who has passed an approved food safety certification examination. (113947-113947.1) 3.00 The responsibilities of the staff member certified in food safety include ensuring that all employees who handle, or have responsibility for handling, unpackaged foods of any kind have sufficient knowledge to ensure the safe preparation and /or service of the food. The nature and extent of the knowledge that each employee is required to have may be tailored, as appropriate, to the employee's duties related to food safety issues. Observed facility has three food manager certificates but shows lack of knowledge of food safety knowledge. Have employees retrained by knowledgeable staff. All other staff shall obtain a food handler card in 30 days. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-06-2020 Wiping cloths used to wipe service counters, scales or other surfaces that may come into contact with food shall be used only once unless kept in clean water with sanitizer. (114135, 114185, 114185.1, 11485.2, 114185.3) 2.00 Cloths used to wipe service counters, scales, and other surfaces that may directly or indirectly contact food shall be used only once until laundered or may be used repeatedly if held in a sanitizing solution, as described below. Cloths used with raw foods of animal origin shall be used only once until laundered or may be used repeatedly if kept in a separate container of sanitizing solution, as described below:
(1) Contact with a solution of 100 ppm available chlorine solution for at least 30 seconds.
(2) Contact with a solution of 25 ppm available iodine for at least one minute.
(3) Contact with a solution of 200 ppm quaternary ammonium for at least one minute.
(4) Contact with any chemical sanitizer that meets the requirements of Section 180.940 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations when used in accordance with the manufacturer's use directions. 		(REPEAT VIOLATION) Observed the use of multi-use wiping cloths and not being stored in sanitizer solution when not in use. Store all wiping cloths in sanitizer solution when not in use. Cloths were moved into buckets during inspection.
 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-06-2020 Potentially hazardous foods shall be held at or below 41°/ 45°F or at or above 135°F. (113996, 113998, 114037, 114343(a)) 4.00 Hold potentially hazardous foods either at or above 135°F or at or below 41°F. Hold the following potentially hazardous foods at 45°F: raw shell eggs, unshucked live molluscan shellfish, pasteurized milk and pasteurized milk products in original, sealed containers. Potentially hazardous foods held for dispensing in a serving line or a salad bar (not in a display case) may be held at 45°F or less during periods not to exceed 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Discard all potentially hazardous food that has been out of an approved time and temperature range. Observed the temperature of food items in the salsa bar was measured between 44F - 49F during inspection. items are kept in an ice box and there needs to be adequate amount of ice and water mixture to make sure all potentially hazardous food items are at 41F and under. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-06-2020 Any potentially hazardous foods cooked, cooled and subsequently reheated for hot holding or serving shall be brought to a minimum temperature of 165°F. (114014, 114016) 7.00 If, at the conclusion of the reheating process, it is discovered that the minimum reheating temperature has not been achieved, the reheating process should be continued until the food reaches the required temperature within the time frame allowed. If it is determined that the food has not been reheated in conformance with required procedures and has already been placed in a hot holding unit, the food shall be voluntarily discarded or impounded. (CDI) Observed Carne Asada was placed into hot holding unit straight from the refrigerator. All foods must be heated to minimum 165F prior to placing in hot holding. Carne Asada was reheated during inspection. Corrected during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-06-2020 All potentially hazardous food shall be RAPIDLY cooled from 135°F to 70°F, within 2 hours, and then from 70°F to 41°F, within 4 hours. Cooling shall be by one or more of the methods outlined below. (114002, 114002.1) 7.00 Destroy all contaminated food. All potentially hazardous food must be rapidly cooled within the following time frames: from 135°F to 41°F or below within 6 hours and, during this time the decrease in temperature from 135°F to 70°F shall occur within the first 2 hours. Potentially hazardous food prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature shall be cooled within 4 hours to 41°F or less.

The rapid cooling of potentially hazardous foods shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified above by using one or more of the following methods based on the type of food being cooled:
(1) Placing the food in shallow pans.
(2) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions.
(3) Using rapid cooling equipment .
(4) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer.
(5) Adding ice as an ingredient.
(6) Using ice paddles.
(7) Inserting appropriately designed containers in an ice bath and stirring frequently.
(8) In accordance with an approved HACCP plan or by other means that have been approved by the Division of Environmental Health. 		Observed food items in large containers that were measured at 49F during inspection. When asked when food items were prepared, operator stated the day before. This was a result of improper cooling. See corrective text for proper cooling methods. Food items were discarded during inspection, and operator was instructed on proper cooling techniques. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-06-2020 All food shall be separated and protected from contamination. (113984, 113986, 113988, 113990, 114060, 114067, 114069, 114077, 114079, 114089.1 (c), 114143 (c)) 1.00 Destroy all contaminated food. All food shall be prepared, stored, displayed, dispensed, placed, transported, sold, and served as to be protected from dirt, vermin, unnecessary handling, droplet contamination, overhead leakage, or other contamination.
If unpackaged food is displayed and sold in bulk in other than self-service containers, then it shall be served by an employee of the food establishment directly to a consumer and shall be displayed in clean, sanitary, and covered or otherwise protected containers.
For bulk customer self-service food items, such as salad bars, buffet type foods, and other ready-to-eat food, install sneeze guards that intercept a direct line between the customer's mouth and the food being offered, dispense from approved mechanical dispensers, or employ other effective means to protect ready-to-eat food from contamination.
Protect all cartons, boxes, or other materials used in the packaging of any food from dirt, vermin, and other forms of contamination or adulteration. 		Observed numerous food items in the hot holding unit and refrigerators that was uncovered / not protected from potential contamination. Ensure all food not under diligent preparation is appropriately covered with non porous lid or covering material to protect from potential contamination. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)