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Facility: La Morenita Restaurant
Address: 1352 W. 13th St., Merced, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Satisfactory (Total Points: 8.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 5-14-2024: Satisfactory (Total Points: 8.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
5-14-2024 All food contact surfaces of utensils and equipment shall be clean and sanitized. (113984(e), 114097, 114099.1, 114099.4, 114099.6, 114101 (b-d), 114105, 114109, 114111, 114113, 114115 (a, b, d), 114117, 114125(b), 114135, 114141) 3.00 A food facility that prepares food shall not be operating if there is no method to properly clean and sanitize equipment or utensils. A food facility shall not be operating if there is gross contamination of food contact surfaces that may result in the contamination of food products. Observed the accumulation of slime on the roof of the ice maker bin. Improve cleaning. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
5-14-2024 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) 1.00 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.
0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
5-14-2024 Food shall be thawed under refrigeration, completely submerged under cold running water of sufficient velocity to flush loose particles, in a microwave oven, or during the cooking process. (114018, 114020, 114020.1) 1.00 Frozen potentially hazardous food shall only be thawed in one of the following ways:
(a) Under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F or below.
(b) Completely submerged under potable running water for a period not to exceed two hours at a water temperature of 70°F or below, and with sufficient water velocity to agitate and flush off loose particles into the sink drain.
(c) In a microwave oven if immediately followed by immediate preparation.
(d) As part of a cooking process.
Observed sausages and battered chilies thawing at room temperature. Thaw under refrigeration or another method listed in the corrective text. Plan to start thawing the night prior for next day's service. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
5-14-2024 Food shall be stored in an approved manner, in approved containers and labeled as to contents. Food shall be stored at least 6" above the floor on approved shelving. (114047, 114049, 114051, 114053, 114055, 114067(h), 114069) 1.00 Provide adequate and suitable space for the storage of food. Store food at least 6 inches off the floor. Store bulk food not stored in original packaging in containers identifying the food by common name. Food shall not be stored in locker rooms, restrooms, dressing rooms, refuse areas, or mechanical rooms; under open stairwells; under lines on which water has condensed; under leaking water lines, including leaking automatic fire sprinkler heads: or under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips.

Only prepackaged nonpotentially hazardous food or uncut produce may be displayed or sold outdoors by a food facility if outdoor displays have overhead protection that extends over all food items, and if all food items from the outdoor display are stored inside the fully enclosed food facility at all times other than during business hours.

Products that are held by the permit holder for credit, redemption, or return to the distributor, such as damaged, spoiled, or recalled products, shall be segregated and held in designated areas that are separated from food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles. All returned or damaged food products and food products from which the label has been removed shall be separated and stored in a separate area and in a manner that shall prevent adulteration of other foods and shall not contribute to a vermin problem.



Observed a container of oil, onion, and tortilla stored on the ground. Keep containers of food 6 inches off the ground. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
5-14-2024 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 containers of food in the reach in refrigerator not covered and not in use. Keep containers of food covered when not in use. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
5-14-2024 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 use of a household grade microwave. Replace with a commercial grade unit.

Observed the accumulation of food debris on the door and walls of the reach in freezer. Clean.

Observed the accumulation of debris in the unused cup refrigerator. Clean.
0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS


Rating on date 9-19-2022: Good (Total Points: 2.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
9-19-2022 All poisonous substances, detergents, bleaches, and cleaning compounds shall be properly labeled and stored separate from food, utensils, packing material, and food-contact surfaces. (114254, 114254.1, 114254.2) 1.00 All poisonous substances, detergents, bleaches, cleaning compounds, and all other injurious or poisonous materials shall be stored and used only in a manner that is not likely to cause contamination or adulteration of food, food contact surfaces, utensils, or packaging materials. Poisonous or toxic materials shall be stored or displayed so they cannot contaminate food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles by separating the poisonous or toxic materials by spacing or partitioning and locating the poisonous or toxic materials in an area that is not above food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles. Equipment and utensil cleaners and sanitizers may be stored in warewashing areas for availability and convenience if the materials are stored to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles.

Containers of poisonous or toxic materials and personal care items shall bear a legible manufacturer's label. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. A container previously used to store poisonous or toxic materials shall not be used to store, transport, or dispense food, utensils, and linen.

Only those insecticides, rodenticides and other pesticides that are specifically approved for use in a food facility may be used. The use shall be in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
Observed liquid hand soap and sanitizer located adjacent to two bags of raw onions, in the storeroom, which may result in potential contamination of food products or food prep surfaces. Relocate all chemicals/ non food items so that they are stored in a distinctly separate area below and away from all food products and food prep surfaces, in such a way so as to eliminate potential contamination. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
9-19-2022 Toilet facilities shall be maintained clean, sanitary and in good repair. Toilet rooms shall be separated by a well-fitting self-closing door. Toilet tissue shall be provided in a permanently installed dispenser at each toilet. The number of toilet facilities shall be in accordance with local building and plumbing ordinances. Toilet facilities shall be provided for patrons: in establishments with more than 20,000 sq ft.; establishments offering on-site food consumption. (113953, 113953.1, 113953.2, 114250, 114250.1, 114276) 1.00 Provide clean toilet facilities in good repair. Provide permanently installed toilet tissue dispenser(s) in all toilet facilities. Provide handwashing facilities within or adjacent to all toilet facilities. Soap shall be provided in dispensers at, or adjacent to, handwashing facilities. Single-use sanitary towels in dispensers or hot-air blowers shall be provided at handwashing facilities.

Customer restrooms are required for food facilities of more than 20,000 square feet if they were constructed after July 1 1984, and also applies to facilities of any size that were constructed after January 1, 2004 where there is onsite consumption of food. A "take-out only" food facility, with no seating indoors or outdoors, may not be required to provide customer restrooms. Check with the Division of Environmental Health and with the appropriate Planning Department before removing or restricting access to customer restrooms.
Observed empty toilet paper dispenser and uncovered trash can in the employee bathroom. Observed uncovered trash can in the public toilet room. Keep paper dispensers filled and cover trash cans with lids or covers 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS