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Facility: Lee's Community Food Market
Address: 37 E. 15th St., Merced, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Satisfactory (Total Points: 13.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 7-05-2023: Satisfactory (Total Points: 13.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
7-05-2023 No violations were noted during this inspection. 0.00 This food facility currently meets California Retail Food Code requirements, and is authorized by the Merced County Division of Environmental Health to be open for business. The permit is issued to the current business owner of record and is non-transferable. No violations are observed during the inspection. 0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT
7-05-2023 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) 3.00 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 soap dispenser at the hand washing sink in the kitchen area. Keep an approved soap dispenser filled and functional at all times for hand washing purposes. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
7-05-2023 An adequate, protected, pressurized, potable supply of hot water and cold water shall be provided at all times. (113953(c), 114099.2(b) 114101(a), 114189, 114192, 114192.1, 114195) 7.00 Provide hot and cold water under pressure through a mixing valve to each sink compartment. The water supply shall be from a water system approved by the health officer or the state department. An adequate, protected, pressurized, potable supply of hot water, at least 120°F, and cold water shall be provided.

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. Handwashing facilities shall be sufficient in number and conveniently located so as to be accessible at all times for use by food employees 		Observed water temperature reaches maximum 108 F in the kitchen area. Investigate or repair so as to provide dish washing water at not less than 120 F at all dish washing sinks. CDI 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
7-05-2023 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. Observed the temperature of the hot holding units were measured at 120 °F. Hold all hot potentially hazardous foods at or above 135°F. CDI 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 10-21-2021: Satisfactory (Total Points: 10.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
10-21-2021 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) 3.00 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 the dispenser at the kitchen area handwash sink, loose roll of paper towels being used by staff. Cease this practice. Provide a sanitary hand drying method at all handwash sink locations, such as paper towels in an enclosed dispenser or a hot air blowing unit. Failure to supply a sanitary hand drying method at a handwash sink. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
10-21-2021 An adequate, protected, pressurized, potable supply of hot water and cold water shall be provided at all times. (113953(c), 114099.2(b) 114101(a), 114189, 114192, 114192.1, 114195) 3.00 Provide hot and cold water under pressure through a mixing valve to each sink compartment. The water supply shall be from a water system approved by the health officer or the state department. An adequate, protected, pressurized, potable supply of hot water, at least 120°F, and cold water shall be provided.

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. Handwashing facilities shall be sufficient in number and conveniently located so as to be accessible at all times for use by food employees 		Observed water at the public / customer restroom handwash sink reaches a maximum of 97 degrees. Investigate and repair so as to provide handwashing water at not less than 100ºF at all handwashing sinks. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
10-21-2021 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 dented cans of broth, baby corn, mushrooms, and other items on the sales floor in the main grocery area. Remove. Store food only in undamaged containers, in a manner so as to protect it from the possibility of adulteration or contamination. Cans removed, stored in a marked area (RGD = "Returned Goods Damaged") to be sent back as vendor returns. Corrected during inspection. 0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT
10-21-2021 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 cardboard used to line the wire rack shelves in some areas of the walk in cooler especially near the dessert cup area. Remove. Keep surfaces used for food display smooth and easily cleanable and clean surfaces on a reguar basis to reduce the risk for cross contamination. If surfaces under cardboard are worn or no longer easily cleanable, repair or replace. Employees immediately began removing cardboard used to line shelves. Corrected during inspection. 0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT
10-21-2021 The premises of each food facility shall be kept clean and free of litter and rubbish; all clean and soiled linen shall be properly stored; non-food items shall be stored and displayed separate from food and food-contact surfaces; the facility shall be kept free of vermin. (114067 (j), 114123, 114143 (a) & (b), 114175, 114178, 114185, 114185.1, 114185.2, 114185.3, 114185.4, 114256, 114256.1, 114256.2, 114256.4, 114257, 114257.1, 114259, 114259.1, 114259.2, 114259.3, 114279, 114281, 114282) 1.00 All food facilities shall be kept clean, fully operative, and in good repair. A food facility shall at all times be so constructed, equipped, maintained, and operated as to prevent the entrance and harborage of animals, birds, and vermin, including, but not limited to, rodents and insects. The premises of each food facility shall be kept clean and free of litter, rubbish, and vermin.

Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be provided and used for the orderly storage of employee clothing and other possessions. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be located in a designated room or area where contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles cannot occur. Dressing rooms or dressing areas shall be provided and used by employees if the employees regularly change their clothes in the facility. 		Observed significant gaps around back exit / delivery door in warehouse area, inner roll up door not closed, no active deliveries in progress. Inner roll up door immediately closed. Maintain the facility in a way that will minimize the entrance and harborage of vermin. Corrected during inspection. 0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT
10-21-2021 Any food is misbranded if its labeling is false or misleading, if it is offered for sale under the name of another food, or if it is an imitation of another food for which a definition and standard of identity has been established by regulation. (114087, 114089, 114089.1(a, b), 114090, 114093.1, 114377) 1.00 Present all food in a way that does not mislead or misinform consumers. Food or color additives, colored overwraps, lights or other misleading artificial means shall not be used to misrepresent the true appearance, color, or quality of a food.

The label shall contain the following information:
(1) The common name of the food.
(2) A list of ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight.
(3) The weight, count, or volume.
(4) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
Nutrition labeling may also be required, and must be included when it is available from the manufacturer.

Food facility's or manufacturer's dating information, such as date codes or "use by" statements on packaging may not be concealed or altered. 		(1) Observed lack of complete labeling information on some pre bagged produce items (some with partial labels, some with no labels). Provide the required labeling information on all pre packaged items (see corrective text).

(2) Observed some bulk bins of produce type items lack an identifying label. Provide a label in at least english to identify all bulk items for sale (may also be provided in additional languages if desired). 		0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT


Rating on date 8-13-2019: Good (Total Points: 4.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
8-13-2019 The premises of each food facility shall be kept clean and free of litter and rubbish; all clean and soiled linen shall be properly stored; non-food items shall be stored and displayed separate from food and food-contact surfaces; the facility shall be kept free of vermin. (114067 (j), 114123, 114143 (a) & (b), 114175, 114178, 114185, 114185.1, 114185.2, 114185.3, 114185.4, 114256, 114256.1, 114256.2, 114256.4, 114257, 114257.1, 114259, 114259.1, 114259.2, 114259.3, 114279, 114281, 114282) 4.00 All food facilities shall be kept clean, fully operative, and in good repair. A food facility shall at all times be so constructed, equipped, maintained, and operated as to prevent the entrance and harborage of animals, birds, and vermin, including, but not limited to, rodents and insects. The premises of each food facility shall be kept clean and free of litter, rubbish, and vermin.

Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be provided and used for the orderly storage of employee clothing and other possessions. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be located in a designated room or area where contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles cannot occur. Dressing rooms or dressing areas shall be provided and used by employees if the employees regularly change their clothes in the facility. 		REPEAT VIOLATION
Observed daylight coming in through holes, crevices, and around doorway at large roll up door area in the back storage room. Seal. New door has been ordered. 		0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT
8-13-2019 No violations were noted during this inspection. 0.00 This food facility currently meets California Retail Food Code requirements, and is authorized by the Merced County Division of Environmental Health to be open for business. The permit is issued to the current business owner of record and is non-transferable. All other violations from the previous inspection have been corrected. 0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT
8-13-2019 No violations were noted during this inspection. 0.00 This food facility currently meets California Retail Food Code requirements, and is authorized by the Merced County Division of Environmental Health to be open for business. The permit is issued to the current business owner of record and is non-transferable. All violations from the previous inspection have been corrected. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 7-12-2019: Unsatisfactory - reinspection required (Total Points: 19.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
7-12-2019 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) 2.00 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.
 Observed two parts of the ceiling in the dry storage room holding drinks have holes with insulation hanging down. Repair. 0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT
7-12-2019 The premises of each food facility shall be kept clean and free of litter and rubbish; all clean and soiled linen shall be properly stored; non-food items shall be stored and displayed separate from food and food-contact surfaces; the facility shall be kept free of vermin. (114067 (j), 114123, 114143 (a) & (b), 114175, 114178, 114185, 114185.1, 114185.2, 114185.3, 114185.4, 114256, 114256.1, 114256.2, 114256.4, 114257, 114257.1, 114259, 114259.1, 114259.2, 114259.3, 114279, 114281, 114282) 2.00 All food facilities shall be kept clean, fully operative, and in good repair. A food facility shall at all times be so constructed, equipped, maintained, and operated as to prevent the entrance and harborage of animals, birds, and vermin, including, but not limited to, rodents and insects. The premises of each food facility shall be kept clean and free of litter, rubbish, and vermin.

Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be provided and used for the orderly storage of employee clothing and other possessions. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be located in a designated room or area where contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles cannot occur. Dressing rooms or dressing areas shall be provided and used by employees if the employees regularly change their clothes in the facility. 		Observed daylight coming in through holes, crevices, and around doorway at large roll up door area in the back storage room. Seal.
Also, and plug in the dry storage room holding drinks is open. Seal. 		0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT
7-12-2019 Exhaust hoods shall be provided to remove toxic gases, heat, grease, vapors, and smoke and be approved by the local building department. Canopy-type hoods shall extend 6" beyond all cooking equipment. All areas shall have sufficient ventilation to facilitate proper food storage. Toilet rooms shall be vented to the outside air by a screened openable window, an air shaft, or a light-switch activated exhaust fan, consistent with local building codes. (114149, 114149.1) Adequate lighting shall be provided in all areas to facilitate cleaning and inspection. Light fixtures in areas where open food is stored, served, prepared, and where utensils are washed shall be of shatterproof construction or protected with light shields. (114149.2, 114149.3, 114252, 114252.1) 2.00 All areas shall have sufficient ventilation to facilitate proper food storage and to provide a reasonable condition of comfort for each employee, consistent with the job performed by the employee.

Light fixtures in areas where food is prepared, open food is stored, or utensils are cleaned shall be of shatterproof construction or shall be protected with shatterproof shields and shall be readily cleanable. In every room and area in which any food is prepared, manufactured, processed, or prepackaged, or in which equipment or utensils are cleaned, sufficient natural or artificial lighting shall be provided to produce the following light intensity, while the area is in use:
(a) At least 10-foot candles for the following:
(1) At a distance of 30 inches above the floor, in walk-in refrigeration units, and dry food storage areas.
(2) At a working surface on which alcoholic beverages are prepared or where utensils used in the preparation or service of alcoholic beverages are cleaned.
(3) Inside equipment, such as reach-in or under-the-counter refrigerators.
(b) At least 20-foot candles for the following:
(1) At a surface where food is provided for consumer self-service or where fresh produce or prepackaged foods are sold or offered for consumption.
(2) In server stations where food is prepared.
(3) At a distance of 30 inches above the floor in areas used for handwashing, warewashing, and equipment and utensil storage, and in toilet rooms.
(c) Except in server stations where food is prepared, at least 50-foot candles at a surface where a food employee is working with food or working with utensils or equipment such as knives, slicers, grinders, or saws where employee safety is a factor. 		Observed the light fixtures/bulbs in the walk in refrigerator, in the 9-door freezer, and the light under the hood do not function, bulb may be burned out, or are missing. Replace bulb and / or repair fixture. Failure to provide adequate lighting. 0111 RETAIL MARKET 2001-6000 SQFT
7-12-2019 Potentially hazardous foods shall be held at or below 41°/ 45°F or at or above 135°F. (113996, 113998, 114037, 114343(a)) 7.00 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. REPEAT VIOLATION
Observed the temperature of the meatballs & chicken were measured between 126-146 °F. Hold all hot potentially hazardous foods at or above 135°F. Recommend marking the steam table pans with time control.

Large hot holding box was at 110F. It was turned up during inspection. Corrected during inspection. Some if the ribs, fried chicken, and sausage was between 113F to 124F. Food out if temperature more than 10F were thrown away. The rest was reheated. Keep unit turned up and maybe use time control as an extra safety precaution since this unit is opened so often. 		0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
7-12-2019 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. 		Observed the bucket was between 10-50 ppm. Failure to maintain proper concentration of sanitizing solution used for cleaning cloths. Chlorine added during inspection. Rechecked at 100ppm. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
7-12-2019 When time only, rather than time and temperature is used as a public health control, records and documentation must be maintained. (114000) 4.00 If food is found in the temperature danger zone due to improper implementation of time as a public health control, discard all food that is out of acceptable temperature ranges. Time only, rather than time in conjunction with temperature, may be used as the public health control for a working supply of potentially hazardous food before cooking or for ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food that is displayed or held for service for immediate consumption, only when the following requirements are met:
(1) The food shall be marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is four hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control.
(2) The food shall be cooked and served, served if ready-to-eat, or discarded within four hours from the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control.
(3) The food in unmarked containers or packages marked to exceed a four-hour limit shall be discarded.
(4) Written procedures shall be maintained in the food facility and made available to the enforcement agency upon request, that ensures proper cooling if the food is prepared, cooked, and refrigerated before time is used as a public health control. 		REPEAT VIOLATION
Observed some rice based meals did not have the time control labels. Failure to mark or otherwise identify containers to indicate the time that is four hours past the time when the food was removed from temperature control, while using time only, rather than time in conjunction with temperature, as the public health control. 		0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)