Agave Azul Mexican Restaurant

Observed eggs on top rack of WIC over ready to eat foods. Ready to eat foods shall be placed over any food items that must be cooked before service. PIC notified.

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 labels on outside of pans still on or residue on outside of pans after the wash cycle. All labels and residue shall be removed before the cleaning process. PIC notified.

511-6-1.05(7)(a)2,3 - Equipment, Food/Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils, food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment & nonfood-contact surfaces free of accumulations (C) 2. The food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans shall be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other soil accumulations.

3. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

Observed steak, chicken and shrimp thawing in a sink without running water. Items were still frozen. Wash was turned on by PIC. All frozen TCS food items shall be thawed using an approved thawing method listed below.

511-6-1.04(6)(c) - Thawing (C) (c) Thawing. Except as specified in paragraph 4 of this subsection, time/temperature control for safety food shall be thawed:

1. Under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F (5°C) or less; or

2. Completely submerged under running water:

(i) At a water temperature of 70°F (21°C) or below,

(ii) With sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose particles in an overflow, and

(iii) For a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of ready-to-eat food to rise above 41°F (5°C), or

(iv) For a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of a raw animal food requiring cooking to be above 41°F (5°C), for more than 4 hours including:

(I) The time the food is exposed to the running water and the time needed for preparation for cooking, or

(II) The time it takes under refrigeration to lower the food temperature to 41°F (5°C);

3. As part of a cooking process if the food that is frozen is:

(i) Cooked as specified under subsections (5)(a)1 or 2 or (5)(b) of this Rule, or

(ii) Thawed in a microwave oven and immediately transferred to conventional cooking equipment, with no interruption in the process; or

4. Using any procedure if a portion of frozen ready-to-eat food is thawed and prepared for immediate service in response to an individual consumer's order.

5. Reduced oxygen packaged fish that bears a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use shall be removed from the reduced oxygen environment:

(i) Prior to its thawing under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F (5°C) or less; or

(ii) Prior to, or immediately upon completion of its thawing, using procedures to completely submerge in running water as specified in paragraph 2 of this subsection.

Observed pork belly with an unknown prep date in prep top reach in cooler at 46 and chicken breast in prep top reach in at 48. PIC was notified that TCS foods must be held at a temperature of 41 or below. PIC discarded the pork belly and chicken breast.

511-6-1.04(6)(f) - Time/Temperature Control for Safety; Cold Holding (P) (f) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in subsection (5)(a)2 of this Rule and reheated using the same temperature and time conditions as cooking may be held at a temperature of 130°F (54°C) or above. P

Observed wiping cloths used for cleaning various areas in restaurant sitting and a bucket in vegetable sink. PIC informed that sink can only be used to wash vegetables. Wiping cloths and bucket were removed. PIC instructed to sanitize/clean the sink before washing vegetables. 511-6-1.04(4)(z) - Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination (C) (z) Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination. Food shall be protected from contamination that may result from a factor or source not specified under paragraphs (a) through (y) of this subsection.

Observed a scoop used for ice in bar area, stored in ice container with the handle in contact with the ice. Utensils for food must be stored with the handles above the food. PIC notified, scoop was removed and placed in the proper location. 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).

Observed pork prepped on 10/4 in prep top reach in cooler at 45. PIC was notified that TCS foods must be held at a temperature of 41 or below. PIC discarded the pork. 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - Time/Temperature Control for Safety; Cold Holding (P) (f) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in subsection (5)(a)2 of this Rule and reheated using the same temperature and time conditions as cooking may be held at a temperature of 130°F (54°C) or above. P

Observed a build up of food debris and grease on fryers, grill and on the floor. Facilities must be cleaned at a frequency to prevent contamination of food products.

511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) - Good Repair, physical facilities maintained; Cleaning, Frequency & Restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (C) (5) Maintenance and Operation.

(a) Good Repair. All physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair.

(b) Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions.

1. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean and by methods that prevent contamination of food products.

2. Except for cleaning that is necessary due to a spill or other accident, cleaning shall be done during periods when the least amount of food is exposed, such as after closing.

3. If present, playground equipment and associated areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. In addition, a cleaning and sanitizing plan along with cleaning and sanitizing records for playground equipment and associated areas shall be maintained within the food service establishment for review upon request by the Health Authority. Further, such cleaning and sanitizing plan for employees to follow in the event of encountering vomitus or fecal matter shall be included and submitted at the time of permit application as specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.02(1)(c). Pf

Observed Employee items stored with condiments and food items on shelves near main kitchen. PIC informed that all employee items need to be stored away from food and other products sold to consumers. PIC notified, items were removed from from shelves.

511-6-1.07(5)(j) - Using Dressing Rooms & Lockers, used for changing clothes and storing employee belongings (C) (j) Using Dressing Rooms and Lockers.

1. Dressing rooms shall be used by employees if the employees regularly change their clothes in the establishment.

2. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be used for the orderly storage of employee clothing and other possessions.