One Merced County establishment gets ‘unsatisfactory’ rating in latest inspections
One Merced County business evaluated during the latest round of inspections by the county Division of Environmental Health received an “unsatisfactory” grade.
Of the latest businesses to be evaluated, from April 22-28, five received a rating of “good” and one 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.”
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 April 22-28:
Santa Fe Foods, 1010 W. 16th St., Merced
Santa Fe Foods received an “unsatisfactory” rating (20 points) during an inspection April 28, 2026. Here are the violations as observed by the health inspector:
- The temperature of the bakery refrigerator measured 54 degrees. Repair so that the refrigerator can provide 41 degrees or below temperatures.
- The front hand-washing station in the kitchen was missing the cold water handle. Replace handle.
- The meat display case doors were damaged and repaired with tape. Remove tape and repair in a fashion that allows the equipment to be easily cleanable, or replace doors.
- There was ice accumulated on the walk-in freezer evaporator. Assess cause and repair to prevent a drip contamination when ice thaws.
- A work table was in front of the hand-washing station in the meat department. Move the table so splatter from the sink does not contaminate the work surface.
- The sink in the meat department was shut off. Repair and make available for use.
- A condensing unit in the dairy and drink walk-in refrigerator had accumulated water and debris. Repair so the floor is smooth and easily cleanable.
Businesses that received ‘Good’ ratings
- Merced County Fair, 900 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Merced
- Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Complex, 2840 W. Sandy Mush Road, Merced
- Marshalls #13021301, W. Pacheco Blvd., Suite D, Los Banos
- San Martin Cheese Co., 429 H St., Los Banos
- California Del Sur-Commissary, 150 W. G St., Suite B, Los Banos
Business that received ‘Satisfactory’ ratings
- Noodles Pho U, 435 W. Pacheco Blvd., Los Banos
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.
