Latest Merced County health inspections: One business gets ‘unsatisfactory’ rating
One Merced County businesses evaluated by inspectors from the county Division of Environmental Health received an “unsatisfactory” grade during the latest round of inspections March 11-18.
Of the latest businesses to be evaluated, 11 received a rating of “good” and four received a rating of “satisfactory.”
What the ratings mean
Businesses that accumulate zero to six violation points during an inspection receive a “good” rating. A rating of “satisfactory” is given to businesses that accumulate seven to 13 points. Businesses that accumulate 14 points or greater receive an “unsatisfactory” rating.
Violations recorded by inspectors can range in severity from minor to major. Major violations are “very likely to get people sick” and must be corrected immediately or the business, or parts of the business, must close until the issue is corrected, according to the Division of Environmental Health. If a business fails an inspection, a reinspection is required at a later date.
The Division of Environmental Health said a minor violation is one “likely to get people sick but does not require the location to close.”
Details from ‘Unsatisfactory’ report
Here is a look at the “unsatisfactory” report from from March 11-18:
Town & Country Liquor Store, 1248 E. Pacheco Blvd, Los Banos
Town & Country Liquor Store received an “unsatisfactory” rating (26 points) during an inspection March 13, 2026. Here are the violations as observed by the health inspector:
- Observed shelving inside walk-in cooler for beverages (opposite of entrance) had large accumulation of debris and dust. Increase frequency and efficacy of cleaning.
- Observed dust accumulation on fans in walk-in opposite of entrance. Increase frequency and efficacy of cleaning.
- Observed hot water at dishwashing sink measured 113 degrees. Should be at least 120 degrees. Correct water temperature.
- Staff were unable to provide food-handler cards at time of inspection. Facility shall be able to provide food-handler cards when operating a soda machine and ice machine, which have components that require proper sanitation.
- Observed the operator dry hands on a cloth towel when washing hands to clean soda nozzles. Cease this practice. Facility retrain staff to dry their hands with mounted paper towels or air dryer only. Staff required to rewash hands during inspection.
- Observed facility did not have test strips for checking parts-per-million of sanitizer used for washing food equipment. Provide and use each time washing dishes.
- Asked about which sanitizer the facility used to wash the soda nozzles and ice scoop, the facility operator could not provide approved sanitizer. Staff was trained in using chlorine as an approved sanitizer for dishes. Staff was unaware of using chlorine as a sanitizer and had to get some from the store shelves as was none in the back. CDI. Reach out to MCDEH for more information on approved sanitizers.
- Observe ice scoop being stored inside a construction bucket. Cease this practice. Ice is a ready-to-eat food and the food contact surfaces shall be smooth, durable, nontoxic and easily cleanable. Replace bucket with food-grade equipment approved for commercial use by an ANSI-certified testing agency such as NSF, UL EPH or ETL sanitation.
- Operator observed to be utilizing noncommercial-grade equipment to wash rinse and sanitize the ice scoop and soda nozzles. Facility shall provide at least two buckets/basins (that can fit the ice scoop) for washing, rinsing and sanitizing. Operator shall follow proper “two-comp” washing technique using the commercial-grade buckets or basins. Two-comp wash technique: fill one bucket with soap and one with sanitizer. Test sanitizer is proper PPM. Wash soda nozzles and ice scoop in wash basin with detergent. Empty detergent bucket and rinse the food equipment (do not place food equipment inside the mop sink). Place rinsed equipment into sanitizer bucket/basin for at least 30 seconds depending on the sanitizer used in the solution. Buckets/basins shall be certified by an ANSI-certified testing agency such as NSF, ETL Sanitation or UL EPH as commercial food grade. Water at tap should be 120 degrees and no less than 100 degrees in each basin/bucket. Should facility not be able to show proper wash/rinse/sanitize technique, it may be required to upgrade to a three-compartment sink or have the soda machine and ice machine removed.
- Observed lack of a visibly posted notice to inform patrons that the facility is inspected by the local health department. Maintain a sign in a conspicuous location to inform patrons that the facility is inspected. (A copy of the required notice is available on the Merced County Environmental Health website).
- Observed lack of knowledge of the location of a copy of the most recent health inspection at the facility location. Maintain a copy of the most recent health inspection at the facility location, and ensure that employees are aware of its whereabouts and can provide a copy for customer inspection during all hours of operation. A new copy of most recent inspection report is being provided to the facility on this date. Corrected during inspection.
Businesses that received ‘Good’ ratings
- A Reyes Elementary School, 123 N St., Merced
- Don Stowell Elementary School, 251 E. 11th St., Merced
- Gracey Elementary School, 945 West Ave., Merced
- John C. Fremont School, 1220 W. 22nd St., Merced
- Sheehy School, 1240 W Sixth St., Merced
- MUHSD, Golden Valley High School (food and pool), 2121 E. Childs Ave., Merced
- Tenaya Intermediate, 760 W. Eighth St., Merced
- Vanessa Ice Cream, 7020 Walnut Ave., Winton
- Little Caesar’s Pizza, 1060 Pacheco Blvd., Los Banos
- Royalty Burger, 1103 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced
- La Quinta Inn & Suites, 20 W. Pacheco Blvd., Los Banos
Businesses that received ‘Satisfactory’ ratings
- Best Western-Executive Inn, 301 W. Pacheco Blvd., Los Banos
- Alfredo’s Taqueria y Panaderia, 6963 N. Winton Way, Winton
- Dollar City (and More), 6991 N. Winton Way, Winton
- Pretty Good Burger by Loiter Street Inc., 439 W. Main St., Merced
Next steps for Merced businesses
According to the Division of Environmental Health, some problems found by inspectors can be fixed at the time of the inspection. In other instances, violations an inspector deems more serious may result in the closure of the business at the time of the inspection.
The inspections represent a snapshot of the conditions that were observed by health inspectors at the time of their visit and may not indicate a pattern of either good or bad safety practices.
The Merced County Division of Environmental Health maintains a database of restaurant and food inspections, which can be found online at the Merced County Environmental Health website.
