SAL Y PIMIENTA
GRADE CThursday, February 20, 2025
Violations Cited
04A
Food Protection Certificate Not Held by Supervisor
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
KNOWLEDGE GAP: Establishments without certified managers have 2.5x more critical violations. Lack of food safety knowledge directly correlates with foodborne illness outbreaks. Certified managers reduce outbreak risk by 60% through proper training and oversight.
Obtain Food Protection Certificate immediately through NYC-approved course. Certificate holder must be present ALL operating hours. Post certificate conspicuously. Maintain valid certification (renew every 5 years). Train all staff on food safety basics.
02H
Food Not Cooled by Approved Method
After cooking or removal from hot holding, TCS food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °F to 70 °F or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °F to 41 °F or less within 4 additional hours.
TOXIN PRODUCTION: Slow cooling is the #1 cause of foodborne outbreaks. Clostridium perfringens spores survive cooking and germinate during slow cooling, producing heat-stable toxin. Causes 'buffet illness' affecting hundreds at events. Staph aureus produces toxin that CANNOT be destroyed by reheating.
Cool using approved methods: Shallow pans (2 inches max depth), Ice baths with frequent stirring, Ice paddles, Blast chillers, Cut large items into portions. NEVER cool at room temperature. NEVER stack hot containers. Document cooling times and temperatures.
02B
Hot TCS Food Not Held at 140°F or Above
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
BACTERIAL MULTIPLICATION: At 120°F, Clostridium perfringens doubles every 10 minutes. Can reach illness-causing levels within 1 hour. This bacteria causes 1 million US cases annually with severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea lasting 24 hours. Hot holding violations responsible for 40% of restaurant outbreaks.
Maintain ALL hot foods at 140°F minimum. Check temperatures every 30 minutes for problem foods, every 2 hours otherwise. Use calibrated thermometers. Adjust equipment immediately if below 140°F. Reheat to 165°F if below temp for under 2 hours. DISCARD if below 140°F for over 2 hours.
10G
Dishwashing facilities inadequate
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
Inadequate dishwashing spreads bacteria across all utensils and tableware
Three-compartment sink or approved dishwasher; proper wash, rinse, sanitize procedures
04H
Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
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.
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.
05D
Hand Washing Facility Not Properly Equipped
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Hand Washing Facility Not Properly Equip to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
Provide immediately at ALL handwash sinks: Hot water (100-120°F), Soap in dispensers, Paper towels or air dryers, Trash receptacles, Signage, Keep accessible at all times. Check supplies hourly. Assign staff to monitor and restock.
06C
Food not protected from contamination
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants
Cover all food; store 6 inches off floor; protect from customer contamination; use sneeze guards
09E
NYC Health Code Violation 09E
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.
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.
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.
06D
Food Contact Surfaces Not Properly Sanitized
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
BACTERIAL BUILDUP: Unsanitized surfaces harbor millions of bacteria within hours. Cross-contamination affects all food prepared on surface. Major cause of multi-victim outbreaks. Cutting boards can contain 200x more bacteria than toilet seats.
Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: After each use, Between different food types, Every 4 hours in continuous use, When contaminated. Use proper concentration sanitizer (50-100ppm chlorine, 200-400ppm quat). Air dry. Test sanitizer every 2 hours.
Violations were cited in the following area(s).