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Facility: Masala Express
Address: 560 W. Olive Ave., Merced, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Satisfactory (Total Points: 11.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 9-12-2024: Satisfactory (Total Points: 11.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
9-12-2024 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) 3.00 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. [3][60] 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)
9-12-2024 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) 7.00 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 water temperature was measured 113 F at 3 compartment sink. Please repair/ replace. A video of the water correction was submitted on 9/12/2024 at 4:15 pm. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
9-12-2024 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 the pipe under the hand washing sink at bar area is leaking. Please repair/ replace. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)


Rating on date 12-05-2022: Good (Total Points: 5.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
12-05-2022 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. CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP: Ok to open. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
12-05-2022 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 mixer up on wood pallet. Remove wood. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
12-05-2022 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 the faucet at the three compartment sink has a sprayer that won't turn off and the anchor us loose. Repair or replace. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
12-05-2022 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.

 Provide No Smoking sign in employee view. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)
12-05-2022 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) 1.00 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 some of the refrigeration units. Provide. 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)
12-05-2022 Food shall be stored in an approved manner, in approved containers and labeled as to contents. Food shall be stored at least 6" above the floor on approved shelving. (114047, 114049, 114051, 114053, 114055, 114067(h), 114069) 1.00 Provide adequate and suitable space for the storage of food. Store food at least 6 inches off the floor. Store bulk food not stored in original packaging in containers identifying the food by common name. Food shall not be stored in locker rooms, restrooms, dressing rooms, refuse areas, or mechanical rooms; under open stairwells; under lines on which water has condensed; under leaking water lines, including leaking automatic fire sprinkler heads: or under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips.

Only prepackaged nonpotentially hazardous food or uncut produce may be displayed or sold outdoors by a food facility if outdoor displays have overhead protection that extends over all food items, and if all food items from the outdoor display are stored inside the fully enclosed food facility at all times other than during business hours.

Products that are held by the permit holder for credit, redemption, or return to the distributor, such as damaged, spoiled, or recalled products, shall be segregated and held in designated areas that are separated from food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles. All returned or damaged food products and food products from which the label has been removed shall be separated and stored in a separate area and in a manner that shall prevent adulteration of other foods and shall not contribute to a vermin problem.



 Observed shelving for chemicals in the storage room sitting directly on the floor. Ensure that all food is stored on smooth and easily cleanable storage surfaces that are a minimum of six inches off the floor. 0101 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 0-49 SEATS (HM4)