Ricos Tacos Taqueria

686 F St D Ste, Arcata

Routine Inspection
06. Hands clean and properly washed; gloves used properly.

Conditions Observed: Observed cook crack a shell egg into a pan then add a tortilla to the grill. Inspector intervened and instructed the cook to wash their hands. Observed correct handwashing - COS. Explained to Cook and Owner that hands shall be washed immediately after cracking eggs.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Food employees shall minimize bare hand and arm contact with nonprepackaged food that is in ready to eat form. Whenever gloves are worn, they shall be changed, replaced, or washed as often as handwashing is required. Single-use gloves shall not be washed. Employees shall wash their hands in the following situations: immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with nonprepackaged food, clean equipment and utensils and unwrapped single-use food containers and utensils; after touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean exposed portions of arms; after using the toilet room; after caring for or handling any animal; after coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating or drinking; after handling soiled equipment or utensils; during food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross-contamination when changing tasks; when switching from working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat foods; before initially donning gloves for working with food; before dispensing or serving food handling clean tableware and serving utensils in the food service area; after engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. (113952, 113953.3, 113953.4, 113961, 113968, 113973)”

40. Wiping cloths: properly used and stored.

Conditions Observed: Measured chlorine in the sani-bucket to be less than 100 PPM. Owner added additional bleach. Measured chlorine to be 100 PPM. Carefully add bleach from the original container (household bleach does not need to be diluted prior filling your sani-bucket).

ROACHY SAYS:

“Wiping cloths used to clean food spills shall be used only once or stored in a sanitizing solution of an approved concentration as specified in section 114099.6. Dry or wet cloths that are used with raw foods of animal origin shall be kept separate from cloths used for other purposes, cloths that come into contact with raw foods of animal origin shall be kept in a separate sanitizing solution. Wiping cloths shall be free of food debris and visible soil. Working containers of sanitizing solutions for storage of in-use wiping cloths shall be used in a manner to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, or single-use articles. Wet wiping cloths shall be laundered daily. Dry wiping cloths shall be laundered as necessary to prevent contamination of food and clean serving utensils. (114135, 114185.1, 114185.3(d-e))”

Routine Inspection
10. Proper cooling methods.

Conditions Observed: Measured a range of temperatures in pinto beans prepared yesterday (41 to 45 F). Measured pinto beans in plastic 2-quart containers. Reviewed rapid cooling. Per Owner, beans are cooling using a metal container in an ice bath. Use a tall bus bin so ice level reaches the top of the metal container. Stir often. Consider adding ice an ingredient. Revise cooling procedure to ensure that all beans cool to 41 F or below. See description above. Measurements recorded today: Container a) 45 F center, 43 F edge Container b) 43 F center, 41.5 F edge Container c) 42 F center 41 F edge

ROACHY SAYS:

“After heating, potentially hazardous foods shall be rapidly cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, and then from 70F to 41F within 4 hours. Potentially hazardous foods prepared from ambient temperature ingredients must be cooled to below 41F within 4 hours. Cooling shall be facilitated by one or more of the following methods: in shallow pans, separating food into smaller portions, adding ice as an ingredient, using an ice bath and stirring frequently, using an ice paddle, using rapid cooling equipment, or using containers that facilitate heat transfer. (114002, 114002.1)”

Reinspection

ROACHY SAYS:

“Ooo! Welcome to Sanitarytown! Population: Ricos Tacos Taqueria! I see lots of happy hungry mouths in this establishment's near future!!”

Routine Inspection
15. Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized.

Conditions Observed: No chlorine in the dishwasher today. Please wash all dishes via the 3-compartment method. Reviewed how to make up sanitizing solution that is 100 PPM chlorine (about 1 tablespoon per gallon of cool water). Use a test strip each time you make up a sanitizing solution. Adjust/service/repair dishwasher to deliver 50 PPM. Provide proof of correction by 1/29/2020 to avoid a reinspection.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Food-contact surfaces and multiservice utensils shall be effectively washed, rinsed, and sanitized to remove or completely loosen soils by use of manual or mechanical methods. Precleaning may be required. Manual sanitization shall be accomplished during the final rinse by contact with solution containing 100 ppm available chlorine, 200 ppm quaternary ammonium, or another approved sanitizer. Mechanical sanitization shall be accomplished in the final rinse by achieving a utensil surface temperature of 160F or by contact with solution containing 50 ppm available chlorine, 200 ppm quaternary ammonium, or another approved sanitizer. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air dried. Mechancial warewash machines must be approved and installed and operated according to manufacturer's specifications. Food contact surfaces, utensils, and equipment shall be cleaned and sanitized at the following times: before each use with different type of raw food of animal origin, when changing from raw food to ready to eat food, between uses with raw produce and potentially hazardous food, before using a thermometer, and any time during the operation when contamination may have occurred. Warewash sinks used to wash wiping cloths, wash produce, or thaw food must be cleaned and sanitized before and after these uses. Equipment, food contact surfaces, and utensils must be cleaned and sanitized throughout the day at least every four hours or as needed to prevent contamination. (114097, 114099.1, 114099.2, 114099.4, 114099.6, 114099.7, 114101, 114105, 114109, 114111, 114113, 114115(a,c), 114117, 114125(b), 114141)”

36. Equipment / Utensils approved; installed, clean, good repair, capacity.

Conditions Observed: Observed build-up on bottom of ice dispenser at soda fountain - showed observations to PIC. Observed oily build-up in chip warmer. Remove build-up; clean and sanitize. Maintain tidy surfaces.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Utensils and equipment shall be kept fully operative and in good repair. All new and replacement equipment shall be properly installed and be certified or classified for sanitation by an ANSI accredited certification program. Electrical appliances must meet UL standards. Single-use articles shall not allow migration of deleterious substances or impart colors, odors, or tastes to food. Multi-use food contact surfaces must be smooth, free of breaks, chips, and similar imperfections; free of sharp internal angles, corners, and crevices; finished to have smooth welds and joints; be accessible for cleaning and inspection. Unless specified, wood and wood wicker may not be used as a food-contact surface. Unless specified, copper and copper alloys such as brass may not be used in contact with a food that has a pH below six or for a fitting between a backflow preventer and a carbonator. Beverage tubing and cold-plate beverage cooling devices cannot be installed in contact with stored ice intended to be used as food. Equipment that is not movable must be installed to allow for cleaning in place. Cutting or piercing parts of can openers must be readily removable. Facilities that wash, rinse, soak, thaw, or similarly prepare foods shall be provided with a approved food preparation sink. Reservoirs that supply water to produce foggers must be cleaned and maintained. Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced or replaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized. (114130, 114130.1, 114130.2, 114130.3, 114130.4, 114130.5, 114130.6, 114132, 114133, 114137, 114139, 114153, 114163, 114165, 114167, 114169, 114175, 114177, 114180, 114182)”

Routine Inspection
08. Proper hot and cold holding temperatures.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Except during preparation, cooking, cooling, transportation to or from a retail food facility for a period of less than thirty minutes, when time is used as the public health control, or as otherwise specified, potentially hazardous foods shall be maintained at or below 41F or at or above 135F. The following foods may be held at or below 45F: raw shell eggs, unshucked live molluscan shellfish, pasteurized milk and pasteurized milk products in original sealed containers, potentially hazardous foods held during transportation. Potentially hazardous foods held for dispensing in serving lines and salad bars may be held at 45F, not to exceed 12 hours in a 24 hour period, if unused portions are discarded. Food preparation shall not exceed two cumulative hours without a return to the required holding temperatures. (113996, 113998, 114037, 114343(a))”

27. Approved thawing methods used; frozen food.

Conditions Observed: Observed a container of sauce thawing on a cart. Cook put container in the fridge. COS. Thaw using an approved method.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Frozen foods shall be stored or displayed in their frozen state unless being thawed in the following manner: under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41F or below, completely submerged under potable running water for a period not to exceed two hours at a water temperature of 70F or below and with sufficient water velocity to agitate and flush off loose particles into the sink drain, in a microwave oven if immediately followed by immediate preparation, or as part of a cooking process. (114018, 114020)”

36. Equipment / Utensils approved; installed, clean, good repair, capacity.

Conditions Observed: Observed moderate chipping on right corner of kitchen handwash sink. Consider replacing with a conforming handwash sink. Observed excessive ice crystals on the top shelf in the freezer. Monitor freezer to ensure foods are at or below freezing (32 F) at all times.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Utensils and equipment shall be kept fully operative and in good repair. All new and replacement equipment shall be properly installed and be certified or classified for sanitation by an ANSI accredited certification program. Electrical appliances must meet UL standards. Single-use articles shall not allow migration of deleterious substances or impart colors, odors, or tastes to food. Multi-use food contact surfaces must be smooth, free of breaks, chips, and similar imperfections; free of sharp internal angles, corners, and crevices; finished to have smooth welds and joints; be accessible for cleaning and inspection. Unless specified, wood and wood wicker may not be used as a food-contact surface. Unless specified, copper and copper alloys such as brass may not be used in contact with a food that has a pH below six or for a fitting between a backflow preventer and a carbonator. Beverage tubing and cold-plate beverage cooling devices cannot be installed in contact with stored ice intended to be used as food. Equipment that is not movable must be installed to allow for cleaning in place. Cutting or piercing parts of can openers must be readily removable. Facilities that wash, rinse, soak, thaw, or similarly prepare foods shall be provided with a approved food preparation sink. Reservoirs that supply water to produce foggers must be cleaned and maintained. Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced or replaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized. (114130, 114130.1, 114130.2, 114130.3, 114130.4, 114130.5, 114130.6, 114132, 114133, 114137, 114139, 114153, 114163, 114165, 114167, 114169, 114175, 114177, 114180, 114182)”

Reinspection

ROACHY SAYS:

“Zero violations! Now that's how you keep 'em coming back for more! I'll be sending all my human friends to Ricos Tacos Taqueria! Yum yum!!”

Routine Inspection
06. Hands clean and properly washed; gloves used properly.

Conditions Observed: Observed cook add cilantro, onions, and radish to orders using their bare hands. Minimize bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods (e.g, use a utensil as discussed during the inspection today). Observed cook wash their hands at the middle bin of the 2-part sink. Always wash hands at your designated handwashing sink.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Food employees shall minimize bare hand and arm contact with nonprepackaged food that is in ready to eat form. Whenever gloves are worn, they shall be changed, replaced, or washed as often as handwashing is required. Single-use gloves shall not be washed. Employees shall wash their hands in the following situations: immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with nonprepackaged food, clean equipment and utensils and unwrapped single-use food containers and utensils; after touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean exposed portions of arms; after using the toilet room; after caring for or handling any animal; after coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating or drinking; after handling soiled equipment or utensils; during food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross-contamination when changing tasks; when switching from working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat foods; before initially donning gloves for working with food; before dispensing or serving food handling clean tableware and serving utensils in the food service area; after engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. (113952, 113953.3, 113953.4, 113961, 113968, 113973)”

08. Proper hot and cold holding temperatures.

Conditions Observed: Measured barbacoa in the steamtable to be 129 F in the center and 134 F in the edge. Per Operator, barbacoa was made the previous day. Reviewed reheating for hot holding in a microwave. Allow foods reheated in the microwave to stand for two minutes. Measure to confirm food has reached 165 F degrees. Always reheat or cook foods to the final cooking temperature before placing in the hot hold. This violation requires a reinspection on/after 4/12/19.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Except during preparation, cooking, cooling, transportation to or from a retail food facility for a period of less than thirty minutes, when time is used as the public health control, or as otherwise specified, potentially hazardous foods shall be maintained at or below 41F or at or above 135F. The following foods may be held at or below 45F: raw shell eggs, unshucked live molluscan shellfish, pasteurized milk and pasteurized milk products in original sealed containers, potentially hazardous foods held during transportation. Potentially hazardous foods held for dispensing in serving lines and salad bars may be held at 45F, not to exceed 12 hours in a 24 hour period, if unused portions are discarded. Food preparation shall not exceed two cumulative hours without a return to the required holding temperatures. (113996, 113998, 114037, 114343(a))”

10. Proper cooling methods.

Conditions Observed: Measured refried beans to be 70 F and 53 F. Measured rice in large square container to be 73 F. Per Cook, rice and beans were made yesterday. Observed Operator remove beans and rice to be discarded. As noted on previous inspection reports, rapid cooling is now prohibited at this facility. You may cook and hot hold foods like rice and beans at 135 F or greater. This violation requires a reinspection on/after 4/12/19.

ROACHY SAYS:

“After heating, potentially hazardous foods shall be rapidly cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, and then from 70F to 41F within 4 hours. Potentially hazardous foods prepared from ambient temperature ingredients must be cooled to below 41F within 4 hours. Cooling shall be facilitated by one or more of the following methods: in shallow pans, separating food into smaller portions, adding ice as an ingredient, using an ice bath and stirring frequently, using an ice paddle, using rapid cooling equipment, or using containers that facilitate heat transfer. (114002, 114002.1)”

15. Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized.

Conditions Observed: Observed cook use a pair on tongs to add raw beef to the grill and then return tongs to hot water well. Observed cook use same tongs to toss carnitas on the grill. Carnitas were then served. Use tongs to for raw beef only. Wash, rinse, and sanitize tongs prior to use other ready-to-eat foods. Train staff in proper utensil use. This major violation requires a reinspection on/after 4/12/19.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Food-contact surfaces and multiservice utensils shall be effectively washed, rinsed, and sanitized to remove or completely loosen soils by use of manual or mechanical methods. Precleaning may be required. Manual sanitization shall be accomplished during the final rinse by contact with solution containing 100 ppm available chlorine, 200 ppm quaternary ammonium, or another approved sanitizer. Mechanical sanitization shall be accomplished in the final rinse by achieving a utensil surface temperature of 160F or by contact with solution containing 50 ppm available chlorine, 200 ppm quaternary ammonium, or another approved sanitizer. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air dried. Mechancial warewash machines must be approved and installed and operated according to manufacturer's specifications. Food contact surfaces, utensils, and equipment shall be cleaned and sanitized at the following times: before each use with different type of raw food of animal origin, when changing from raw food to ready to eat food, between uses with raw produce and potentially hazardous food, before using a thermometer, and any time during the operation when contamination may have occurred. Warewash sinks used to wash wiping cloths, wash produce, or thaw food must be cleaned and sanitized before and after these uses. Equipment, food contact surfaces, and utensils must be cleaned and sanitized throughout the day at least every four hours or as needed to prevent contamination. (114097, 114099.1, 114099.2, 114099.4, 114099.6, 114099.7, 114101, 114105, 114109, 114111, 114113, 114115(a,c), 114117, 114125(b), 114141)”

28. Food separated and protected.

Conditions Observed: Observed beef stored above carrots in the 2-door True fridge. Store raw meat below ready-to-eat foods.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Food shall be protected from contamination during transportation, storage, preparation, holding, and display. Adequate and suitable counter space shall be provided for all food preparation. Food preparation shall be conducted wthin an approved food compartment or fully enclosed food facility. Open-air barbecues shall be separated from public access. (113984(a-f), 113986, 114060, 114067(a,d,e,j), 114069(a, c, d), 114077, 114089.1(c), 114143(c,e))”

31. Food storage; food storage containers identified.

Conditions Observed: Observed a bag of onions and a bag of beans on the floor in the storage area. Keep all food at least 6 inches above the ground.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Adequate and suitable space shall be provided for the storage of food. Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food in a clean, dry location, where it is not exposed to splash, dust, vermin, or other forms of contamination or adulteration, and at least six inches above the floor. Food shall not be stored in any of the following ways: in locker rooms, toilet rooms, dressing rooms, refuse rooms, mechanical rooms, under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips, under leaking water lines, including leaking automatic fire sprinklers heads, or under lines on which water has condensated, under open stairwells or under sources of contamination. Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages for use in the food facility shall be identified with the common name of the food. Non-prepackaged food may not be stored in direct contact with undrained ice. 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. (114047, 141049, 114051, 114053, 114055, 114067(h), 114069(b))”

40. Wiping cloths: properly used and stored.

Conditions Observed: Observed the use of a wiping cloth without a sanitizer bucket. Use wiping cloths once and the launder or keep all wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution. Observed the use a wiping cloth to brush debris off tray used to make burritos. This is not correct. Use a clean tray.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Wiping cloths used to clean food spills shall be used only once or stored in a sanitizing solution of an approved concentration as specified in section 114099.6. Dry or wet cloths that are used with raw foods of animal origin shall be kept separate from cloths used for other purposes, cloths that come into contact with raw foods of animal origin shall be kept in a separate sanitizing solution. Wiping cloths shall be free of food debris and visible soil. Working containers of sanitizing solutions for storage of in-use wiping cloths shall be used in a manner to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, or single-use articles. Wet wiping cloths shall be laundered daily. Dry wiping cloths shall be laundered as necessary to prevent contamination of food and clean serving utensils. (114135, 114185.1, 114185.3(d-e))”

Billable Reinspection
10. Proper cooling methods.

Conditions Observed: Review of cooling logs indicate that menudo prepared 12/5/18 was not properly cooled; 79F at 2 hour mark. Explained cooling requirements to operator and ways to facilitate process. Facility is required to maintain cooling logs and submit every Friday to DEH until further notice. Log enteries indicating improper cooling will result in a billable re-inspection that may result in the facility no longer being permitted to cool foods.

ROACHY SAYS:

“After heating, potentially hazardous foods shall be rapidly cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, and then from 70F to 41F within 4 hours. Potentially hazardous foods prepared from ambient temperature ingredients must be cooled to below 41F within 4 hours. Cooling shall be facilitated by one or more of the following methods: in shallow pans, separating food into smaller portions, adding ice as an ingredient, using an ice bath and stirring frequently, using an ice paddle, using rapid cooling equipment, or using containers that facilitate heat transfer. (114002, 114002.1)”

Reinspection
10. Proper cooling methods.

Conditions Observed: Measured rice in True two-door frig to be 62F-66F. This major violation will require a billable re-inspection on or after 12/4/18. Failure to demonstrate proper cooling procedures during the re-inspection will result in the facility no longer being permitted to cool foods.

ROACHY SAYS:

“After heating, potentially hazardous foods shall be rapidly cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, and then from 70F to 41F within 4 hours. Potentially hazardous foods prepared from ambient temperature ingredients must be cooled to below 41F within 4 hours. Cooling shall be facilitated by one or more of the following methods: in shallow pans, separating food into smaller portions, adding ice as an ingredient, using an ice bath and stirring frequently, using an ice paddle, using rapid cooling equipment, or using containers that facilitate heat transfer. (114002, 114002.1)”

Routine Inspection
10. Proper cooling methods.

Conditions Observed: Measured refried beans in True two-door to be 48F-52F, per cook beans were cooked yesterday. Beans were discarded. Foods must be quickly cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours and then to 41F or below within a total of 6 hours. This major, repeat violation will require re-inspection on or after 11/29/18. Please have completed cooling logs available for review at this inspection. Temperature during cooling must be monitored all the way to 41F. Continued failure to properly cool foods will result in DEH no longer approving this activity for the facility.

ROACHY SAYS:

“After heating, potentially hazardous foods shall be rapidly cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, and then from 70F to 41F within 4 hours. Potentially hazardous foods prepared from ambient temperature ingredients must be cooled to below 41F within 4 hours. Cooling shall be facilitated by one or more of the following methods: in shallow pans, separating food into smaller portions, adding ice as an ingredient, using an ice bath and stirring frequently, using an ice paddle, using rapid cooling equipment, or using containers that facilitate heat transfer. (114002, 114002.1)”

12. Proper reheating procedures for hot holding.

Conditions Observed: Measured foods on the steam table below 135F: refried beans 125F, chicken 110F, green sauce 109.5F, meat 92F, chicken 109F; rice measured to be 144F. COS - cook reheated to 165F in microwave; verified temperature of refried out of microwave to be 168F. Foods must be reheated so that all parts of the food reach a temperature of 165F for at least 15 seconds. Keep a thermometer readily available at the cookline to check temperatures when reheating. This major violation will require re-inspection on or after 11/29/18.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Potentinally hazardous food that is cooked, cooled, and reheated for hot holding shall be heated to a temperature of 165F for 15 seconds. Cooked and refrigerated food that is prepared for immediate service in response to an individual consumer order may be served at any temperature. Reheating for hot holding shall be done rapidly, and the time between 41F and 165F shall not exceed two hours. Potentinally hazardous food reheated in a microwave oven for hot holding shall be rotated or stirred midway during cooking, covered to retain surface moisture, be reheated to 165F in all parts of the food, and stand covered for at least two minutes after reheating. Ready-to-eat food taken from a commercailly processed hermetically sealed container or from an intact package from a food processing plant shall be heated to a temperature of 135F for hot holding. (114014, 114016)”

15. Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized.

Conditions Observed: Observed cook wiping thermometer on paper towel after taking food temperature when reheating; no sanitizer at cookline. Instructed cook to sanitize thermometer after use. Sanitizer provided at cookline measured well above range of test strips. Instructed cook to make sanitizer to a concentration of 100ppm chlorine. COS - 100ppm chlorine sanitizer made and verified with test strips available at the facility.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Food-contact surfaces and multiservice utensils shall be effectively washed, rinsed, and sanitized to remove or completely loosen soils by use of manual or mechanical methods. Precleaning may be required. Manual sanitization shall be accomplished during the final rinse by contact with solution containing 100 ppm available chlorine, 200 ppm quaternary ammonium, or another approved sanitizer. Mechanical sanitization shall be accomplished in the final rinse by achieving a utensil surface temperature of 160F or by contact with solution containing 50 ppm available chlorine, 200 ppm quaternary ammonium, or another approved sanitizer. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air dried. Mechancial warewash machines must be approved and installed and operated according to manufacturer's specifications. Food contact surfaces, utensils, and equipment shall be cleaned and sanitized at the following times: before each use with different type of raw food of animal origin, when changing from raw food to ready to eat food, between uses with raw produce and potentially hazardous food, before using a thermometer, and any time during the operation when contamination may have occurred. Warewash sinks used to wash wiping cloths, wash produce, or thaw food must be cleaned and sanitized before and after these uses. Equipment, food contact surfaces, and utensils must be cleaned and sanitized throughout the day at least every four hours or as needed to prevent contamination. (114097, 114099.1, 114099.2, 114099.4, 114099.6, 114099.7, 114101, 114105, 114109, 114111, 114113, 114115(a,c), 114117, 114125(b), 114141)”

28. Food separated and protected.

Conditions Observed: Observed raw chicken on shelf above raw beef in True two-door counter frig. Store foods according to final cooking temperature to prevent contamination.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Food shall be protected from contamination during transportation, storage, preparation, holding, and display. Adequate and suitable counter space shall be provided for all food preparation. Food preparation shall be conducted wthin an approved food compartment or fully enclosed food facility. Open-air barbecues shall be separated from public access. (113984(a-f), 113986, 114060, 114067(a,d,e,j), 114069(a, c, d), 114077, 114089.1(c), 114143(c,e))”

40. Wiping cloths: properly used and stored.

Conditions Observed: Observed wiping cloths sitting on prep table of kitchen. Wiping cloths intended for re-use must be stored in clean sanitzer at a concentration of 100ppm chlorine.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Wiping cloths used to clean food spills shall be used only once or stored in a sanitizing solution of an approved concentration as specified in section 114099.6. Dry or wet cloths that are used with raw foods of animal origin shall be kept separate from cloths used for other purposes, cloths that come into contact with raw foods of animal origin shall be kept in a separate sanitizing solution. Wiping cloths shall be free of food debris and visible soil. Working containers of sanitizing solutions for storage of in-use wiping cloths shall be used in a manner to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, or single-use articles. Wet wiping cloths shall be laundered daily. Dry wiping cloths shall be laundered as necessary to prevent contamination of food and clean serving utensils. (114135, 114185.1, 114185.3(d-e))”

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