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Facility: Olive Garden Italian Kitchen
Address: 721 W. Olive Ave., Merced, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Good (Total Points: 4.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 12-05-2023: Good (Total Points: 4.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
12-05-2023 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 during inspection. 0123 BAR
12-05-2023 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.
Repeat: Observed broken handle with tape on handle to the refrigerator drawer has not be fixed(middle lane). Properly repair or replace hand of the refrigerator drawer. 0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
12-05-2023 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) 3.00 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.
[30] Repeat: Observed failure to provide accurate records to the enforcement agency related to the HACCP. Retrain employee to maintain correct record keeping. Provide and email records to Merced County Division of Environmental Health. 0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS


Rating on date 11-16-2023: Unsatisfactory - reinspection required (Total Points: 29.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
11-16-2023 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.
1. Observed food items made under HACCP approved plan is measure at a temperature of 45°F. Throw all food that do no meet the 41°F degree or lower. Monitoring through the whole process of HACCP, proper rapid cooling from 135°F to 41°F within six hours, decrease in temperature from 135°F to 71°F shall occur within first two hours.

2. Observed failure to provide accurate records to the enforcement agency related to the HACCP. Retrain employee to maintain correct record keeping.
0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
11-16-2023 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. 1. Observed frying baskets on top of oven. Remove frying baskets and provide a method to store the frying pan such as a clean try to hold the clean frying baskets. (Corrected during Inspection)

2. Observed trash bins place next to clean air dry dishes. Remove trash bin and place at far distance from air dry dishes. (Corrected during inspection)

3. Observed residues in glass drawers. Clean frequently.

4. Observed soda line connectors have no covering. Provide a plastic cover for all soda line connector that is not connected to a soda box.


0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
11-16-2023 Food employees shall keep their hands and exposed portions of their arms clean, and shall maaintain fingernails so they are cleanable. Employees are required to wash their hands: before beginning work; before handling food / equipment / utensils; as often as necessary during food preparation to remove soil and contamination; when switching from working with raw to ready-to-eat foods; after touching body parts; after using the toilet room; or any time when contamination may occur. (113952, 113953.3, 113968, 113973 (a-g). Whenever gloves are worn, they shall be changed as often as handwashing is required. 7.00 The food employee shall wash their hands and portion of arms as required, and use utensils and gloves appropriately. Observed employee not washing hand before handling food related contact. Wash hand before any contact with food related contact. 0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
11-16-2023 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 oil container with box covering still on. Remove box covering. (Corrected during inspections)

0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
11-16-2023 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 improper storage food-related items in an unapproved area of the facility. Provide proper storage.
0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
11-16-2023 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 broken handle with tape on handle to the refrigerator drawer. Properly repair or replace handle of the refrigerator drawer. 0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
11-16-2023 All food employees preparing, serving or handling food or utensils shall wear clean, washable outer garments or uniforms and shall wear a hairnet, cap, or other suitable covering to confine hair. (113969, 113971) 1.00 Food employees shall wear clean outer clothing to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles. All food employees preparing, serving, or handling food or utensils shall wear hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings, or nets that are designed and worn to effectively keep their hair from contacting nonprepackaged food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-use articles. This requirement does not apply to food employees such as counter staff who only serve beverages and wrapped or prepackaged foods, hostesses, and wait staff, if they present a minimal risk of contaminating nonprepackaged food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-use articles. Observed employees not wearing hairnets, caps, or other suitable coverings to confine all hair (when required). Required if employee are handling food contact services. 0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
11-16-2023 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 light fixture in hood dish machine does not function, bulb may be burned out. Replace bulb and / or repair fixture. Failure to provide adequate lighting. 0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
11-16-2023 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. Observing a missing thermometer in a freezer. Obtain or installed a thermometer into the freezer. (Corrected during inspection) 0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS
11-16-2023 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 employee personal items stored in bar cabinet. Remove all personal items from bar cabinet and stored in a separate designated employee area. 0123 BAR
11-16-2023 All clean and soiled linens shall be properly stored; non-food items shall be stored and displayed separate from food and food-contact surfaces. (114185 - 114185.4) Utensils and equipment shall be handled and stored so as to be protected from contamination. (114067, 114074 - 114075, 114081, 114083, 114119, 114121, 114161, 114178, 114179, 114185, 114185.2, 114185.5) 1.00 Storage space for food, utensils, single-use articles, clean linens, and food-related equipment shall not be located in locker rooms, refuse rooms, mechanical rooms, under open stairwells, under lines on which water has condensed, under leaking water lines, under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips, or under other sources of contamination.

During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored in one of the following ways:
(1) in a potentially hazardous food with their handles above the top of the food and the container.
(2) if not a potentially hazardous food, with their handles above the top of the food within containers that can be closed.
(3) on a clean portion of the food preparation table or equipment if cleaned and sanitized at the required frequency.
(4) in running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain.
(5) in a clean, protected location if the utensils, such as ice scoops, are used only with a food that is not potentially hazardous.
(6) in a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 135°F and the container is cleaned at least every 24 hours or at a frequency necessary to preclude the accumulation of soil residues.

Observed wiping cloth being hung dry on the hand wash sink splash guard. Remove all wiping cloth from the hand wash sink splash guard. All wiping cloth use more than once must be stored in sanitizer solution. 0123 BAR


Rating on date 2-16-2023: Good (Total Points: 0.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
2-16-2023 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. PLAN REVIEW FINAL: OK to open. 0123 BAR
2-16-2023 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. PLAN REVIEW FINAL: OK to open. 0103 FOOD ESTAB. W/FOOD PREP 150+ SEATS