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Facility: Taco Bell #34214
Address: 8119 Lander Ave., Hilmar, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Satisfactory (Total Points: 9.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 3-12-2024: Satisfactory (Total Points: 9.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
3-12-2024 A food facility shall not be open for business without a valid permit. (114067(b) & (c), 114365, 114365.5, 114381, 114381.1 114381.2, 114387, 114390) 1.00 Pay the required annual permit fees. Renewal fees for existing permits for each calendar year are assessed and due in January of each year.

For purposes of enforcement, an enforcement officer may, during the facility's hours of operation and other reasonable times, enter, inspect, issue citations to, and secure any sample, photographs, or other evidence from a food facility or any facility suspected of being a food facility, or a vehicle transporting food to or from a retail food facility, when the vehicle is stationary at an agricultural inspection station, a border crossing, or at any food facility under the jurisdiction of the enforcement agency, or upon the request of an incident commander. It is a violation for any person to refuse to permit entry or inspection, or interfere with the performance of the duties of an enforcement officer, including making verbal or physical threats or sexual or discriminatory harassment.

Close the facility until a permit is obtained from the Division of Environmental Health.
Observed lack of a visibly posted current health permit. Maintain a current health permit in a conspicuous location to inform patrons that the facility has a health permit. (A copy of the health permit is available upon request to Merced County Environmental Health).
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
3-12-2024 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 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). 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
3-12-2024 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) 7.00 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 syrup residues accumulation inside the nozzle head of the soda machine at the dining area. Clean more frequently. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 12-09-2021: Good (Total Points: 5.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
12-09-2021 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 the temperature of the hot water at the 3 compartment sink and the prep sink ranges from 106 to 112 degrees F. Observed the hot water would rise in temperature at the tap then rapidly decrease. Assess the cause of the inconsistent water temperature at the tap. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
12-09-2021 All nonfood contact surfaces of utensils and equipment shall be clean. (114115, 114130.4) 1.00 Clean nonfood contact surfaces of equipment at a frequency necessary to prevent accumulation of residue. Observed the accumulation of debris or food in the following areas:
under the kitchen soda station,
under the kitchen prep island,
in the cabinet under the customer soda station,
along the wall in the dry storage areas.
Improve cleaning.
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
12-09-2021 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) 1.00 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 a leak in the drain lines at the 3 compartment sink. Repair. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)