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Facility: Taqueria El Palmar
Address: 1127 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, 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 9-26-2022: Satisfactory (Total Points: 8.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
9-26-2022 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 that the temperature of cheese, guacamole, cooked chicken, and beans in the front counter “Refrigerated Products” cooler was measured at 49.6°F. 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 PHF was moved to the walk in cooler at 38°F.
Observed that the temperature of beef, cooked beans, fish, and salsa in the back room Traulson cooler was measured at 55.1°F. 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. Items out of temperature by more than 10°F were voluntarily destroyed and denatured by the operator.
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
9-26-2022 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 that the trash can in the toilet room does not have a lid or cover. Install lid or cover. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 7-30-2019: Satisfactory (Total Points: 13.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
7-30-2019 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 dirt, grime, and / or food particle buildup on inside of the household grade freezer/refrigerator unit.
Observed dirt, grime, and / or food particle buildup on inside of the floor sink near the mop sink.
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.
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
7-30-2019 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 the old walk in unit in the back is filled with unused items and equipment. Keep all premises of a food facility, including 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. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
7-30-2019 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. Observed lack of thermometers in the household grade freezer/refrigerator unit.
Failure to have a readily visible thermometer affixed to the warmest part of the refrigeration unit.
Have a thermometer accurate to within 2ºF or 1ºC in each refrigeration unit, as practicable. Note that product mimicking sensors placed in devices located in the warmest part of the mechanically refrigerated unit may be approved in lieu of an ambient air sensor.
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
7-30-2019 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.
Failure to cool potentially hazardous food in an approved manner.
When placed in refrigeration, containers in which a liquid or a semi-liquid food is being cooled shall be stirred as necessary to evenly cool the food.
Observed the temperature of the beans and chili Verde in the three door unit in the back were measured between 48-52 °F. 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. Items out of temperature by more than 10°F were voluntarily destroyed and denatured.
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)