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Facility: New Thai Cuisine
Address: 909 W. 16th St., Merced, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Unsatisfactory (Total Points: 20.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 3-20-2024: Unsatisfactory - reinspection required (Total Points: 20.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
3-20-2024 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. Observed garlic in oil was not refrigerated. Keep garlic in oil under refrigeration. Garlic oil was made prior to inspection. Staff was instructed to refrigerate garlic in oil. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
3-20-2024 Each food facility shall be kept free of live animals and vermin: rodents (rats, mice), cockroaches, flies.( 114259.1, 114259.4, 114259.5) 3.00 Live animals are not allowed in a food facility, except as specified in section 114259.5.

A food facility shall immediately cease operation when there is a vermin infestation that has resulted in the contamination of food contact surfaces, food packaging, utensils, food equipment, or adulteration of food(s). The food facility shall remain closed until:
(a) there is no longer evidence of a vermin infestation.
(b) all contaminated surfaces have been cleaned and sanitized.
(c) contributing factors such as cleaning, repairs, and the elimination of harborages have been resolved.

All contributing factors must be resolved as quickly as possible. If there is a vermin infestation that warrants a major violation, then the permit to operate may be suspended. Professional pest control may also be required as frequently as needed to prevent the infestation from recurring.
Observed cats in dry storage room. Observed the use of a fabric screen as vermin exclusion. Provide a better way to prevent entrance or close doors. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
3-20-2024 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 a thin film of grease that has coated the appliances in the facility. Improve cleaning. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
3-20-2024 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 staff portioning raw beef, wiping hands on a towel, then transitioning to finishing the dish. Proper hand washing must be practice when transitioning from raw meats. Provide tongs so staff hands do not come into contact with raw meats or properly wash hands when switching from raw meats. Tongs were provided. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
3-20-2024 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.
Observed towels not stored in sanitizer in between uses. Keep towels in sanitizer. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
3-20-2024 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 egg rolls, chicken, and containers of chopped vegetables that were not covered when not in use. Keep covered. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 11-16-2022: Satisfactory (Total Points: 7.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
11-16-2022 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. Observed the temperature of the chicken, crab, and tofu was measured at 47 °F in the Everest two door cooler. Keep all cold potentially hazardous foods at or below 41°F. Adjust and / or repair this unit; do not use it for the display of PHF (potentially hazardous food) items until it is shown to consistently capable of holding food at or below 41ºF at all times. Out of temperature items relocated to the walk in cooler. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)