El Agave Mexican Restaurant

Observed cut raw beef stored above cooked beef that was cooling and vegetables in the walk in cooler. PIC corrected on site by relocating the raw sliced beef.

511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - Packaged & Unpackaged Food Separation, Packaging, and Segregation (P, C) (c) Packaged and Unpackaged Food - Separation, Packaging, and Segregation.

1. Food shall be protected from cross contamination by:

(i) Except as specified in paragraph (i)(IV) of this subsection, separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from:

(I) Raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish, or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables, P and

(II) Cooked ready-to-eat food; and P

(III) Fruits and vegetables before they are washed; P

(IV) Frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready-to-eat food.

(ii) Except when combined as ingredients, separating types of raw animal foods from each other such as beef, fish, lamb, pork, and poultry during storage, preparation, holding, and display by:

(I) Using separate equipment for each type, P or

(II) Arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, P and

(III) Preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas; P

(iii) Cleaning and sanitizing equipment and utensils;

(v) Cleaning hermetically sealed containers of food of visible soil before opening;

(vi) Protecting food containers that are received packaged together in a case or overwrap from cuts when the case or overwrap is opened;

(vii) Storing damaged, spoiled, or recalled food being held in the food service establishment separate from food, equipment, utensils, linens and single-service and single-use articles; or

(viii) Separating fruits and vegetables, before they are washed from ready-to-eat food.

Observed the presence of a mold like accumulation on the deflector of both ice machines. PIC instructed to shut down both ice machines until a deep cleaning is completed. PIC will wash, rinse, and sanitize the interior of both ice machines by 3/5/26. PIC will email Robert.Lewis1@dph.ga.gov once the ice machines area properly cleaned and sanitized. 511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces,& Utensils (Pf) (7) Cleaning of Equipment and Utensils.

(a) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils.

1. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Pf.

Observed several cooked TCS foods in the walk in cooler that exceeded the expiration date including Verde (Expired 3/3/26, Refried beans (Expired 3/3/26, Yellow rice (Expired 3/3/2026), and Queso (Expired 3/1/2026. Also observed a container of beans with no discard or preparation date. PIC corrected on site by discarding all food that was date labeled or exceeded the discard date.

511-6-1.04(6)(g) - Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking (Pf) (g) Ready-to-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking

1. Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method, and except as specified in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this subsection, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. Pf

2. Except as specified in paragraphs 5 through 7 of this subsection, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and packaged by a food processing plant shall be clearly marked, at the time the original container is opened in a food service establishment and if the food is held for more than 24 hours, to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days after the original container is opened. The day the original container is opened in the food service establishment shall be counted as Day 1, except, the day or date marked by the food service establishment may not exceed a manufacturer’s use by date if the manufacturer determined the use-by date based on food safety; Pf

3. A refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food ingredient or a portion of a refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food that is subsequently combined with additional ingredients or portions of food shall retain the date marking of the earliest-prepared or first-prepared ingredient. Pf

4. A date marking system that meets the criteria stated in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection may include:

(i) Using a method approved by the Health Authority for refrigerated, ready-to-eat time / temperature control for safety food that is frequently rewrapped, such as lunchmeat or a roast, or for which date marking is impractical, such as soft serve mix or milk in a dispensing machine;

(ii) Marking the date or day of preparation, with a procedure to discard the food on or before the last date or day by which the food must be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded;

(iii) Marking the date or day the original container is opened in a food service establishment, with a procedure to discard the food on or before the last date or day by which the food must be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded; or

(iv) Using calendar dates, days of the week, color-coded marks, or other effective marking methods, provided that the marking system is disclosed to the Health Authority upon request.

5. The requirements in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection do not apply to individual meal portions served or repackaged for sale from a bulk container upon a consumer’s request.

6. The requirements in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection do not apply to shellstock.

7. The requirement in paragraph 2 of this subsection does not apply to the following foods prepared and packaged by a food processing plant inspected by a Health Authority:

(i) Deli salads, such as ham salad, seafood salad, chicken salad, egg salad, pasta salad, potato salad, and macaroni salad, manufactured in accordance with 21 CFR 117 Current good manufacturing practice in manufacturing, packing, or holding human food;

(ii) Hard cheeses containing not more than 39% moisture as defined in 21 CFR 133 Cheeses and related cheese products, such as cheddar, gruyere, parmesan and reggiano, and romano;

(iii) Semi-soft cheeses containing more than 39% moisture, but not more than 50% moisture, as defined in 21 CFR 133 Cheeses and related cheese products, such as blue, edam, gorgonzola, gouda, and monterey jack;

(iv) Cultured dairy products as defined in 21 CFR 131 Milk and cream, such as yogurt, sour cream, and buttermilk;

(v) Preserved fish products, such as pickled herring and dried or salted cod, and other acidified fish products defined in 21 CFR 114 Acidified foods;

(vi) Shelf stable, dry fermented sausages, such as pepperoni and Genoa salami; and

(vii) Shelf stable salt-cured products, such as prosciutto and Parma ham.

Observed several knives stored in stagnant water at 72 degrees f. PIC advised that all utensils must be stored either in a clean/dry container or in a container of water at 135 degrees or higher. PIC corrected on site by rewashing knives and storing them in a clean/dry container.

511-6-1.04(4)(k) - In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (C) (k)Storage of In-Use Utensils. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored:

1.Except as specified under paragraph 2 of this subsection, in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container;

2.In food that is not time/temperature control for safety food with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed, such as bins of sugar, flour, or cinnamon;

3.On a clean portion of the food preparation table or cooking equipment only if the in-use utensil and the food-contact surface of the food preparation table or cooking equipment are cleaned and sanitized at a frequency specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.05(7)(b) and (8)(a);

4.In running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain, if used with moist food such as ice cream or mashed potatoes;

5. In a clean, protected location if the utensils, such as ice scoops, are used only with a food that is not time/temperature control for safety food; or

6. In a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 135°F (57°C) and the container is cleaned at a frequency specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.05(7)(b)3(vi).

4-2A.Observed food products stored uncovered inside the reach in freezer. The owner corrected and covered all items during the inspection.

12C. Observed wet wiping cloths not stored in sanitizing solution between use.

Observed mold on the soda gun spouts in the bar area. PIC corrected by cleaning and sanitizing the soda gun and attached nozzle. PIC will ensure that all food contact surfaces are properly cleaned and sanitized.

511-6-1.05(7)(b) - Food Contact Surfaces and Utensils - Cleaning Frequency (P, C) (b) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils.

1. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be cleaned:

(i) Before each use with a different type of raw animal food such as beef, fish, lamb, pork, or poultry. It does not apply if the food-contact surface or utensil is in contact with a succession of different types of raw meat and raw poultry each requiring a higher cooking temperature as specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1.04(5)(a) than the previous type such as preparing raw pork followed by cutting raw poultry on the same cutting board; P

(ii) Each time there is a change from working with raw foods to working with ready-to-eat foods; P

(iii) Between uses with raw fruits and vegetables and with Time/Temperature Control for safety food; P

(iv) Before using or storing a food temperature measuring device; P and

(v) At any time during the operation when contamination may have occurred. P

Observed fryer basket wires in bad repair. PIC discarded the fryer basket and replaced it with a new basket. PIC will monitor all fryer baskets and skimmers to prevent potential contamination.

Observed reach in cooler gaskets in bad repair. PIC will replace gaskets by 4/2/25. 511-6-1.05(2)(c) - Multiuse Food-Contact Surfaces (Pf) (c) Multiuse Food-Contact Surfaces.

1. Multiuse food-contact surfaces shall be:

(i) Smooth; Pf

(ii) Free of breaks, open seams, cracks, chips, inclusions, pits, and similar imperfections; Pf

(iii) Free of sharp internal angles, corners, and crevices; Pf

(iv) Finished to have smooth welds and joints; Pf and

(v) Except as specified in paragraph 2 of this subsection, accessible for cleaning and inspection by one of the following methods:

(I) Without being disassembled, Pf

(II) By disassembling without the use of tools, Pf or

(III) By easy disassembling with the use of handheld tools commonly available to maintenance and cleaning personnel such as screwdrivers, pliers, open-end wrenches, and Allen wrenches. Pf

2. The requirement in paragraph 1(v) of this subsection does not apply to cooking oil storage tanks, Distribution lines for cooking oils, or beverage syrup lines or tubes.

Employee drink improperly stored in the preparation area.

Observed mold on the soda gun spouts in the bar area.

Employee drink improperly stored with food

Bleach used for wiping cloth buckets not EPA approved. Sodium hypochlorite observed at 3 percent.

Wiping cloth bucket sanitizer exceeded the maximum strength. Wiping cloth sanitizer (Chlorine) observed at 200 ppm.

Ice bin lid in bad repair

Ceiling tile in the bar contained excessive dust build up

Observed black beans in the walk in cooler and chipotle sauce and raw chicken in the reach in cooler with no date marking to show preparation or disposal date. PIC added labels. (COS)

Observed several wet wiping cloths nesting on the prep counters and prep top coolers. Please return to the sanitizer buckets. (COS).

Observed the hand sink in the kitchen being used as a dump sink. It had ice in it. Instructed the PIC that the hand sink can only be used for washing hands.