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Facility: ARCO AM PM
Address: 1625 McSwain Road, Merced, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Good (Total Points: 2.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 4-05-2024: Good (Total Points: 2.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
4-05-2024 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 the accumulation of slime on the deflector plate of the ice machine. Improve cleaning frequency. 0110 RETAIL MARKET<2000 SQ FT (HM3)
4-05-2024 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) 1.00 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 hood is not on and could not be turned on during the inspection. Repair or otherwise turn on to remove heat when using the oven. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 9-07-2022: Good (Total Points: 1.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
9-07-2022 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 toilet paper dispenser is empty, and that a roll of toilet paper is being stored on top of the dispenser. This can allow the paper to fall onto the floor and is not sanitary. Place toilet paper roll into the paper dispenser. 0110 RETAIL MARKET<2000 SQ FT (HM3)
9-07-2022 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 noted in the FOOD PREP area of the facility. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 12-10-2021: Satisfactory (Total Points: 11.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
12-10-2021 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.
(REPEAT VIOLATION) Observed the fan unit inside the restroom was not functioning. REpair/replace to provide adequate air turnover.

Observed the lack of adequate lighting in the three compartment sink area. Light bulbs were burnt out and needed to be exchanged. Replace to provide adequate lighting for cleaning.
0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
12-10-2021 All food employees shall have adequate knowledge of and be trained in food safety as it relates to their assigned duties. The person in charge shall have adequate knowledge of, and shall educate employees of the food facility regarding major food allergens. (113947) Food facilities that prepare, handle or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food, shall have an employee who has passed an approved food safety certification examination. (113947-113947.1) 6.00 The responsibilities of the staff member certified in food safety include ensuring that all employees who handle, or have responsibility for handling, unpackaged foods of any kind have sufficient knowledge to ensure the safe preparation and /or service of the food. The nature and extent of the knowledge that each employee is required to have may be tailored, as appropriate, to the employee's duties related to food safety issues. (REPEAT VIOLATION) Observed lack of proof that a current employee of this establishment holds a Food Safety Manager Class certificate that is no more than five years old. Maintain a copy of the original certificate for at least one current employee at the facility location. The food managers certificate that is earned by the employee or owner may be used at only one location. Obtain a certificate from an American National Standards Institute approved food handling/food safety examination; if no one holds a current food safety certificate, obtain one within 60 days. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
12-10-2021 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.
Observed the facility packages their own ice bags. The ice bags will need a label with the facility name and address on all bags of ice. Provide a label with the required information. 0110 RETAIL MARKET<2000 SQ FT (HM3)
12-10-2021 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 new ice machine was installed and teh drain line was inserted into the ground and did not have a required air gap between the floor sink and the drain line. Repair so that the drain line is no longer leaking, and there is a minimum one inch air gap between the floor sink and the drain line. 0110 RETAIL MARKET<2000 SQ FT (HM3)
12-10-2021 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 the build up of debris/gunk on the soda dispenser nozzles. Clean/sanitize and increase frequency to prevent build up. There was a very noticeable build up on some of the dispenser nozzles.

Observed the storage shelves inside the walk-in fridge unit were made from raw/untreated wood. Paint/seal so the wood is smooth, easily cleanable, and nonabsorbent.
0110 RETAIL MARKET<2000 SQ FT (HM3)