Taqueria La Barca Mexican Restaurant

5201 Carlson Park Dr 4 Ste, Arcata

Routine Inspection
02. Food safety certification, food handler card compliance

Conditions Observed: FSM certificate has expired. Obtain FSM certificate within 60 days and make available for review during routine inspections.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Food facilities that prepare, handle, or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food, shall have an owner or employee who has passed an aproved food safety certification examination. Food handlers that prepare, handle, or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food, shall obtain a valid Food Handler Card within 30 days after date of hire. (113947.1-113947.5, 113948)”

07. Adequate handwash facilities supplied and accessible.

Conditions Observed: Observed both restrooms are lacking paper towels. Keep required supplies stocked in dispensers at all times for proper handwashing.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Handwashing facilities shall be provided within or adjacent to toilet rooms, food preparation, and warewashing areas. Handwashing facilities shall be clean, unobstructed, and accessible at all times. Handwashing facilities shall be provided with soap and sanitary single use towels in approved dispensers. Dispensers shall be maintained in good repair. A handwashing facility shall not be used for purposes other than handwashing. (113953, 113953.1, 113953.2, 114067(f))”

27. Approved thawing methods used; frozen food.

Conditions Observed: Observed chicken thawing at room temperature on drainboard of prep table. Use an approved method to thaw PHF, in the refrigerator, under cold running water, as pat of the cooking process.

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)”

34. Non-food-contact surfaces clean.

Conditions Observed: Observed debris on non-food contact surface of deli slicer. Observed buildup on non-food contact surfaces of soda nozzles at the soda machine. Maintain non-food contact surfaces of equipment clean to prevent buildup.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. (114115(b))”

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

Conditions Observed: Observed employee exit the restroom and resume food prep (portioning hot rice) without washing their hands at the kitchen handwashing sink. Inspector intervened and directed the employee to wash their hands; observed correct handwashing. COS. As discussed during the inspection, wash hands in the restroom and again upon returning to the kitchen.

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)”

07. Adequate handwash facilities supplied and accessible.

Conditions Observed: No paper towels in the ladies’ restroom today. Provide paper towels in a dispenser.

ROACHY SAYS:

“Handwashing facilities shall be provided within or adjacent to toilet rooms, food preparation, and warewashing areas. Handwashing facilities shall be clean, unobstructed, and accessible at all times. Handwashing facilities shall be provided with soap and sanitary single use towels in approved dispensers. Dispensers shall be maintained in good repair. A handwashing facility shall not be used for purposes other than handwashing. (113953, 113953.1, 113953.2, 114067(f))”

31. Food storage; food storage containers identified.

Conditions Observed: Observed bags of bulk rice and beans and a bag of onions stored directly on the floor. Rice, beans, onions were placed on the table - COS. Keep foods at least 6 inches above the floor.

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))”

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 Taqueria La Barca Mexican Restaurant! Yum yum!!”

Routine Inspection
10. Proper cooling methods.

Conditions Observed: Measured pinto beans put up in the 3-door fridge around 2 pm to be 113 F in the center. Owner removed approximately 3.5 gallon, plastic bin from fridge and decanted beans into 3 hotel pans nested in ice. Measured beans from the bottom part of the container to 120F. Measured 2 gallon bin of chicken in red sauce to be 50 F. Chicken was returned to a clean metal pot set in an ice bath. Reviewed rapid cooling (see regulation description). As discussed during the inspection, use shallow metal containers and/or allow pot to rest on stove before safely transferring to an ice bath. Discussed effective use of ice baths. Stir frequently and measure often with a metal stem thermometer. Record the time at which the cooling food reaches 135 F and use a cooling log. This major violation requires a reinspection on/after 2/17/2021. Develop a written cooling procedure or revise cooking procedure to cook and hot hold.

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

ROACHY SAYS:

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

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

Conditions Observed: Observed Cook put raw chicken on the grill and then fail to discard their gloves. Inspector instructed Cook to remove gloves and wash their hands. Observed Cook put gloves in the trash and wash their hands - COS. Train all staff in proper glove us (wash hands before donning gloves, use gloves once and then discard). Gloves are not a substitute for handwashing.

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 rice in the steam table to be 134.5 F in the center and 127 F on the edge. Owner reheated rice in microwave to 164 F in the center and 174 F on the edge before allowing the rice to stand for 2 minutes - COS. Hot hold rice at 135 F or greater.

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))”

28. Food separated and protected.

Conditions Observed: Observed cilantro uncovered in the 2-door fridge. Cover cilantro to prevent contamination. Observed raw beef above salsa in the 3-door fridge. Operator moved beef to bottom shelf - COS. Store raw meats below or away from 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))”

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

Conditions Observed: Observed Cook mix rice with their gloved hand. Inspector informed Cook that they must remove gloves at the end of each task, wash hands, and then put on new gloves. Observed Cook return with fresh gloves - COS. Observed Owner wash forearm at the 3part sink. Inspector request they wash at the handwashing sink - Owner finished washing hands at the handwashing sink. COS. See regulation description above.

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 foods in the self-service cart to be above 41 F (salsa, 45 F; horchta, 47 F). Revise cold-holding method to keep foods at or below 41 F. The ice level should reach the product level or the top of the container.

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))”

15. Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized.

Conditions Observed: Observed brown, mild-like speckling on white divider in ice machine. Remove build-up; sanitize surface.

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)”

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

Conditions Observed: Observed build-up on dr.pepper and diet coke soda nozzles. Remove build-up; clean and sanitize.

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 open personal beverages (a glass of juice, can of soda) above cilantro in the 7up fridge. Store personal food away from foods intended for customers. Observed containers of raw meat stored above containers of salsa in the 3door fridge. Store meats 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))”

44. Premises; personal/cleaning items; vermin-proofing.

Conditions Observed: Observed flashing has failed at bottom of back door. Repair flashing/door so door is flush with floor and vermin proof.

ROACHY SAYS:

“All premises of a food facility shall be kept clean, fully operative, and in good repair. The premise of a food facility shall be free of litter and items unnecessary to the operation of the facility. Areas designated for employees to eat and drink shall be located so that food, clean equipent and utensils, linens, and single-use articles are protected from contamination. Personal items shall be stored in a designated area to prevent contamination of food or utensils. Food prep sinks, warewashing sinks, and handwashing sinks shall not be used for the cleaning or maintenance of tools or cleaning supplies or to dispose of mop water and similar liquid wastes. A dedicated janitorial sink with a drain shall be provided and conveniently located. A separate room, area, or cabinet shall be provided for cleaning supplies. The facility shall be kept vermin proof. Insect electrocution devices shall retain the insect within the device and shall not be located over food or utensil handling areas. (114123, 114143(a, b), 114256, 114256.1, 114256.2, 114256.4, 114257, 114257.1, 114259, 114259.2, 114259.3, 114279, 114281, 114282)”

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