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Facility: Little Caesars Pizza
Address: 3250 N. G St. Ste A, Merced, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Good (Total Points: 6.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 6-06-2023: Good (Total Points: 6.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
6-06-2023 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) 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 that the temperature of the hot water was 74 degrees Fahrenheti. 120 degrees F is required. Manager adjusted heater, raising temperature to 120 F 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-06-2023 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 that potentially hazardous foods in the prep cooler (ham, sausage, salami, cheese, cut vegetables) sere stored at 43 degrees Fahrenheit. 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less is required. Observed ice on the top wall of the cooler. Move potentially hazardous foods to the walk in cooler if the prep cooler cannot maintain 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 8-09-2022: Good (Total Points: 6.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
8-09-2022 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) 6.00 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.
SECOND REPEAT: Observed back handwash sink near janitorial sink again blocked with chairs. Remove. Ensure all handwash sinks in the food prep areas are kept unobstructed, properly supplied, and readily available to encourage proper handwashing at all times. Chairs immediately relocated. Corrected during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 6-30-2022: Unsatisfactory - reinspection required (Total Points: 15.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
6-30-2022 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) 6.00 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.
REPEAT: Observed back handwash sink near janitorial sink blocked with a chair. Remove. Ensure all handwash sinks in the food prep areas are kept unobstructed, properly supplied, and readily available to encourage proper handwashing at all times. Chair immediately relocated. Corrected during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-30-2022 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.
REPEAT: Observed jackets, purses, and other personal items stacked on top of soda bottles. Designate and label a specific area for the storage of personal items in an area separate from food storage and prep locations. Items immediately relocated. Corrected during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-30-2022 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 rack of pizza dough portions in walk in cooler with no covering or protection. Ensure all food not under diligent preparation is appropriately covered with non porous lid or covering material to protect from potential contamination. Immediately began covering dough portions with plastic sheets. Corrected during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
6-30-2022 Potentially hazardous foods shall be held at or below 41°/ 45°F or at or above 135°F. (113996, 113998, 114037, 114343(a)) 6.00 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: Observed the temperature of the sauce and shredded cheese in the refrigerated "M.I.K.E." unit were measured at 47-50°F. Keep all cold potentially hazardous foods at or below 41°F. Adjust and / or repair this unit; do not use it for PHF (potentially hazardous food) items until it is shown to consistently capable of holding food at or below 41ºF at all times. Cheese and sauce immediately relocated to walk in cooler.

NOTE: Manager states the defrost cycle on the unit may be causing part of the issues, unit was repaired / fan replaced after last inspection. Please send specification sheets for the refrigerated "M.I.K.E." unit to Merced County Division of Environmental Health (FoodProgram@countyofmerced.com) for review, defrost cycle may be excessively long and allowing food product temperatures to rise too high.
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 2-04-2022: Unsatisfactory - reinspection required (Total Points: 17.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
2-04-2022 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 lack of sanitizer of sufficient strength in the third compartment of the three compartment sink (initial check shows quat at less than 100 PPM). Instructed employee in proper manual sanitizing techniques and the need to verify sanitizer strength periodically. Perform manual sanitization of all dishes at this location at the prescribed ppm (parts per million) for the sanitization method in use. Use the correct unexpired test strips for the chemical sanitizer being used. Check the sanitizer strength at a sufficient frequency to ensure consistent sanitization of all food contact surfaces in this location. Sanitizer compartment immediately drained and refilled, fresh sanitizer measuring at 200 PPM. Corrected during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-04-2022 Handwashing signs shall be posted in each toilet room, directing attention to the need to thoroughly wash hands after using the restroom. (113953.5)

No smoking signs shall be posted in food preparation, food storage, and warewashing areas. (113978)

Consumers shall be notified that clean tableware is to be used when they return to self-service areas such as salad bars and buffets. (114075)

Any food facility constructed before January 1, 2004 without public toilet facilities shall prominently post a sign within the food facility in a public area stating that toilet facilities are not provided. (113725.1, 114276, 114381 (e))
1.00 Post permit in a conspicuous place (It is recommended that the permit be in customer view.). Post a notice advising patrons that a copy of the most recent routine inspection report is available for review by interested parties. Keep a copy of the most recent health inspection report at the facility for customer review purposes.

Post and maintain a legible and conspicuous sign in each toilet room directing attention to the need to thoroughly wash hands after using the toilet.

Post and maintain a legible "No Smoking" sign in food preparation, food storage, and utensil washing areas.

Observed lack of a visibly posted notice to inform patrons that the facility is inspected by the local health department. Maintain a sign in a conspicuous location to inform patrons that the facility is inspected. (A copy of the required notice is available on the Merced County Environmental Health website). Sign found, immediately relocated to a customer visible location. Corrected during inspection.

Information also provided to staff about electronic copies of health inspections available on the MCDEH website / "Q" code on the corner of the Informing Notice will take customers to the website where food inspections may be viewed. Ensure all employees are aware of how to provide a copy of the most recent health inspection report to any customer that may request to see the report.
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-04-2022 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 jackets, purses, and other personal items stacked on top of soda bottles. Designate a specific area for the storage of personal items in an area separate from food storage and prep locations. Designating a shelf in the restroom for employee personal belongings, items immediately removed from top of soda bottle storage area. Corrected during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-04-2022 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 pepperoni, sauce, and shredded cheese in the refrigerated "M.I.K.E." unit ere measured at 52-59°F. Keep all cold potentially hazardous foods at or below 41°F. Adjust and / or repair this unit; do not use it for 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 were voluntarily discarded, machine shut off for now until repaired. Corrected during inspection. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-04-2022 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.
(1) Observed front handwash sink nearest walk in cooler partially blocked with trash can. Trash can immediately relocated. Corrected during inspection.

(2) Observed back handwash sink near janitorial sink blocked with a chair, employee stated they were told not to use that sink previously but unsure why. Sink inspected, hot water / soap / paper towels all available and working, no obvious leaks. Ensure all handwash sinks in the food prep areas are kept unobstructed, properly supplied, and readily available to encourage proper handwashing at all times. Chair immediately relocated. Corrected during inspection.

Minor amount of cheese and sauce residue also seen on some of the sink fixtures, ensure handwash sinks are ONLY used for the intended handwashing purposes exclusively.
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-04-2022 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) 1.00 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 all three packages of test strips near the three compartment sink expired in 2020. Obtain and use unexpired test strips to verify the strength of the Quat sanitizer in use at this facility location. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
2-04-2022 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 opened can of jalapenos in the walk in cooler that was partially open / uncovered / not protected from potential contamination. Ensure all food not under diligent preparation is appropriately covered with non porous lid or covering material to protect from potential contamination. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 7-07-2021: Good (Total Points: 0.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
7-07-2021 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 previous violations were corrected. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 5-17-2021: Unsatisfactory - reinspection required (Total Points: 14.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
5-17-2021 When time only, rather than time and temperature is used as a public health control, records and documentation must be maintained. (114000) 14.00 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: Observed uncooked pizzas not properly labeled for time control. Provide proper time control or keep under temperature control. Timer was set for the pizzas. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)