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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
Good (Total Points: 2.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
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


Rating on date 7-26-2019: Satisfactory (Total Points: 12.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
7-26-2019 All nonfood contact surfaces of utensils and equipment shall be clean. (114115, 114130.4) 2.00 Clean nonfood contact surfaces of equipment at a frequency necessary to prevent accumulation of residue. Observed dirt, grime, and / or food particle buildup in the corners behind cooking equipment and behind hot water heater. Improve cleaning frequency and methods to ensure all equipment is kept in an appropriate state of cleanliness; ensure all equipment surfaces are smooth and easily cleanable, and all potential food contact surfaces are sanitized on a regular basis. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
7-26-2019 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) 2.00 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 stove was missing its handles. Provide handles. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
7-26-2019 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) 2.00 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. Failure to provide an approved probe thermometer that can read cold temperatures. An oven type was available. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
7-26-2019 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) 2.00 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 lack of test strips to measure the applicable manual sanitizer concentration. Obtain and use test strips to verify sanitizer is of sufficient strength to act as an appropriate manual sanitizing agent (100 ppm for chlorine, 200 ppm for quat ammonia). Facility had Quat but needed Chlorine type. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
7-26-2019 Handwashing soap and single use towels or drying device shall be provided in dispensers adjacent to each handwashing facility; dispensers shall be maintained in good repair. (113953.2) Adequate separate facilities shall be provided for handwashing, food preparation, and the washing of utensils and equipment. (113953, 113953.1) 2.00 Handwashing facilities shall be sufficient in number and conveniently located so as to be accessible at all times for use by food employees. Employees shall not clean their hands in a sink used for food preparation, warewashing, or in a service sink or a curbed cleaning facility used for the disposal of mop water and similar liquid waste. Do not place objects in front of the handwashing station, and do not place items, utensils or wiping cloths in the handwashing sink.

Handwashing facilities shall be equipped to provide warm water under pressure for a minimum of 15 seconds. If the temperature of water provided is not readily adjustable at the faucet, the temperature of the water shall be at least 100°F, but not greater than 108°F. Soap shall be provided in approved dispensers at, or adjacent to, handwashing facilities (no bars of soap). Single-use sanitary towels or hot-air blowers shall be provided at handwashing facilities in approved dispensing devices. 		Observed lack of paper towels in a functioning paper towel dispenser or a functioning air hand drying unit adjacent to the hand washing sink in the customer restroom. Provide a functioning paper towel dispenser adjacent to the handwashing sink and keep paper towel dispensers properly filled, or an air hand drying unit functional, to provide a sanitary method for hand drying at all times. Corrected during inspection. 0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS
7-26-2019 The potable water supply shall be protected with a backflow or back siphonage protection device, as required by applicable plumbing codes. (114192) All plumbing and plumbing fixtures shall be installed in compliance with local plumbing ordinances, shall be maintained so as to prevent any contamination, and shall be kept clean, fully operative, and in good repair. Any hose used for conveying potable water shall be of approved materials, labeled, properly stored, and used for no other purpose. (114171, 114189.1, 114190, 114192.1, 114193, 114193.1, 114195, 114197, 114199, 114201, 114269) 2.00 All plumbing and plumbing fixtures shall be installed in compliance with local plumbing ordinances, shall be maintained so as to prevent any contamination, and shall be kept clean, fully operative, and in good repair. Observed the two compartment sink faucet leaks water while running. Repair.

Observed the sprayer handle is broken. Replace. 		0102 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 50-149 SEATS