El Agave Mexican Restaurant

Observed a container of beef in reach in freezer not covered. Except as specified under paragraph 2. of this subsection and when cooling as specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.04(6)(e)2.(ii), storing the food in packages, covered containers, or wrappings, except for loosely covered or uncovered containers in which food is being cooled if protected from overhead contamination. Explained to PIC that food stored in reach in freezer needs to be covered properly. Food was covered.

Observed wet wiping cloth on prep table.Cloths in-use for wiping food spills from tableware and carry-out containers that occur as food is being served shall be:(i) Maintained dry; and (ii) Used for no other purpose. 2. Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be: (i) Held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a concentration specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.05(6)(n); and(ii) Laundered daily. Explained to person in charge and wet wiping cloths were removed and thrown in laundry hamper.

Observed beef, milk, ground beef in walk in cooler above 46 degrees 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. Explained to PIC that all items need to be held at 41 degrees F or below. Items were discarded.

Observed mold like substance built up on the ice machine in the back by WIC. Told PIC that ice machine needs to be cleaned at a frequency to keep it free from build up. PIC assigned employee to clean ice machine. 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 2. Except as specified in paragraph 3 of this subsection, if used with time/temperature control for safety food, equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be cleaned at least every 4 hours throughout the day. P
2. Surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting time/temperature control for safety food may be cleaned less frequently than every 4 hours if: (i) In storage, containers of time/temperature control for safety food and their contents are maintained at temperatures specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.04 and the containers are cleaned when they are empty; (ii) Utensils and equipment are used to prepare food in a refrigerated room or area that is maintained at one of the temperatures in the following chart and: (I) The utensils and equipment are cleaned at the frequency in the following chart that corresponds to the temperature: Temperature Cleaning Frequency 41ºF (5.0ºC) or less 24 hours

41ºF - 45ºF (>5.0ºC - 7.2ºC) 20 hours 45ºF - 50ºF (>7.2ºC - 10.0ºC) 16 hours 50ºF - 55ºF, (>10.0ºC - 12.8ºC) 10 hours and (II) The cleaning frequency based on the ambient temperature of the refrigerated room or area is documented in the food service establishment. (iii) Temperature measuring devices are maintained in contact with food, such as when left in a container of deli food or in a roast, held at temperatures specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1- .04; (iv) Equipment is used for storage of packaged or unpackaged food, such as a reach-in refrigerator, and the equipment is cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues; (v) The cleaning schedule is approved based on consideration of: (I) Characteristics of the equipment and its use, (II) The type of food involved, (III) The amount of food residue accumulation, and (IV) The temperature at which the food is maintained during the operation and the potential for the rapid and progressive multiplication of pathogenic or toxigenic microorganisms that are capable of causing foodborne disease; or (vi) In-use utensils are intermittently stored in a container of water in which the water is maintained at 135ºF (57ºC) or more and the utensils and container are cleaned at least every 24 hours or at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues.

4. Dining counters and table-tops shall be cleaned and sanitized routinely after removing all soiled tableware and food trays shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use by one of the following methods: (i) A two step method in which one cloth, rinsed in sanitizing solution is used to clean food debris from the surface and a second cloth in separate sanitizing solution is used to rinse; (ii) Sanitizing solution is sprayed onto the surface and the surface is then wiped clean with a disposable towel; (iii) If used for cleaning and sanitizing, single-use disposable sanitizer wipes shall be used in accordance with EPA-registered label use instructions; or (iv) Other methods approved by the Health Authority. (v) Food trays may be cleaned and sanitized the same as table ware.
5. Except when dry cleaning methods are used as specified under subsection (7)(e) of this Rule, surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature control for safety food shall be cleaned: (i) At any time when contamination may have occurred; (ii) At least every 24 hours for iced tea dispensers including nozzles and consumer self-service utensils such as tongs, scoops, or ladles; (iii) Before restocking consumer self-service equipment and utensils such as condiment dispensers and display containers; and (iv) In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending equipment: (I) At a frequency specified by the manufacturer; or (II) Absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold.

Observed refried beans and lettuce in walk in cooler at 50 degrees F. Told PIC that all cold holding items must be at 41 degrees or below. 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.

Observed refried beans and lettuce in walk in cooler at 50 degrees F. Told PIC that all cold holding items must be at 41 degrees or below. 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.