LA TAMALERIA COLOMBIANA

GRADE A

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Overview

LA TAMALERIA COLOMBIANA in East Elmhurst received a Grade A on their NYC health inspection on February 20, 2024, scoring 11 points. The inspection found 3 violations, including 3 critical.

Address
32-23 JUNCTION BOULEVARD
Queens, NY 11369
Cuisine
Spanish
Inspection Type
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
Violations
3 total
⚠ 3 critical
Facility History
3 inspections

Violations Cited

⚠ CRITICAL 04H

Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated

Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

⚠️ Why This Matters

PATHOGEN SPREAD: Cross-contamination spreads deadly bacteria throughout facility. One contaminated cutting board can transfer Salmonella to 20+ food items. Causes multi-victim outbreaks. E. coli O157:H7 from raw beef can cause kidney failure in children.

📋 Code Requirements

Prevent ALL cross-contamination: Separate equipment for raw and ready-to-eat, Color-coded cutting boards, Proper storage order (raw below ready-to-eat), Clean and sanitize between different foods, Cover all foods, Change gloves between tasks.

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Cross-Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.07
⚠ CRITICAL 09B

Thawing procedure improper

Thawing procedure improper.

⚠️ Why This Matters

Improper thawing allows surface bacteria to multiply while interior remains frozen

📋 Code Requirements

Thaw under refrigeration, under cold running water, in microwave, or as part of cooking

CDC Risk Factor: Improper Holding/Time & Temperature
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.09
⚠ CRITICAL 09E

NYC Health Code Violation 09E

Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.

⚠️ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 09E to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

📋 Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

Inspector's Action:

Violations were cited in the following area(s).

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LA TAMALERIA COLOMBIANA — Inspection Questions

Did LA TAMALERIA COLOMBIANA pass their NYC health inspection on February 20, 2024?
LA TAMALERIA COLOMBIANA passed with an A grade on February 20, 2024 with a score of 11 points. The inspection found 3 violation(s).
What critical violations did LA TAMALERIA COLOMBIANA have?
LA TAMALERIA COLOMBIANA had 3 critical violation(s) during their inspection. Critical violations directly contribute to foodborne illness and must be corrected immediately. These include issues with temperature control, hand washing, cross-contamination, and pest infestations.
What does violation code 04H mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 04H (Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated) is a critical violation. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, or cross-contaminated during storage, preparation, or service. PATHOGEN SPREAD: Cross-contamination spreads deadly bacteria throughout facility. One contaminated cutting board can transfer Salmonella to 20+ food items. Causes multi-victim outbreaks. E. coli O157:H7 from raw beef can cause kidney failure in children.
What does violation code 09B mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 09B (Thawing procedure improper) is a major violation. Frozen foods must be thawed using approved methods to prevent bacterial growth Improper thawing allows surface bacteria to multiply while interior remains frozen
What does violation code 09E mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 09E (NYC Health Code Violation 09E) is a critical violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 09E to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.