Merced County health inspections: Repeat violations lead to ‘unsatisfactory’ ratings
Two Merced County businesses 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 May 14-18, 15 received a rating of “good” and two 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’ reports
Here is a look at the “unsatisfactory” reports from May 14-18:
Yummy Thai, 2961 Beachwood Drive, Merced
Yummy Thai received an “unsatisfactory” rating (16 points) during an inspection May 14. Here are the violations as observed by the health inspector:
- Repeat: Observed the temperature of the bean sprouts was 71 degrees. Keep potentially hazardous food at or below 41 degrees.
- Repeat: Observed soup bones thawing at room temperature. Thaw under refrigeration or under running water.
La Hacienda Mexican Grill, 802 W. 16th St., Merced
La Hacienda Mexican Grill received an “unsatisfactory” rating (22 points) during an inspection May 15. Here are the violations as observed by the health inspector:
- 2nd Repeat: Observed the paint of the cabinet under the soda dispenser is worn down near to the wood and is no longer nonabsorbent to liquids. Reseal to provide a nonabsorbent finish.
- Repeat: Observed the use of a 5-gallon utility bucket to store sauce. Use only food-grade containers.
- Repeat: Observed an expansion of operation without submission of plans. Cease use until approvals are obtained.
- Repeat: Observed the use of buffet warmers and coolers that have not been approved for use. Submit equipment specifications for review.
- Repeat: Observed the temperature of some foods in the buffet lines exceeding 41 degrees for refrigerated foods and falling below 135 degrees for hot foods. Potentially hazardous foods exceeding the limits by 10 degrees were voluntarily discarded.
Businesses that received ‘Good’ ratings
- Los Banos Unified School District, 749 J St., Los Banos
- Nothing Bundt Cakes, 3522 G St., Merced
- R. M. Miano School, 1129 B St., Los Banos
- San Luis High School, 125 Seventh St., Los Banos
- Westside Union Intermediate School, 659 K St., Los Banos
- Cruickshank Middle School, 601 Mercy Drive, Merced
- MUHSD, East Campus Ed Center/ Yosemite High (food and pool), 1900 G St., Merced
- Peterson School, 848 Donna Drive, Merced
- Starbucks Coffee #10491, 700 Carol Ave., Merced
- Subway Sandwiches, 720 Carol Ave., Merced
- Vanessa’s Ice Cream Shop, 710 Carol Ave., Merced
- Creekside Junior High, 1401 Prairie Springs Road, Los Banos
- Our Lady of Fatima School, 1625 Center Ave., Los Banos
- Sansei, 705 Merced Mall, Merced
- Valley Community School, 715 W. H St., 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.
