Excessive flies and meat splatter: Latest Merced County health 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 on June 29, three received a rating of “good” and one received a rating of “unsatisfactory.”
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 June 29:
Liberty Market, 1471 B St. Ste. E, Livingston
Liberty Market received an “unsatisfactory” rating (29 points) during an inspection June 29. Here are the violations as observed by the health inspector:
- Observed an excessive amount of flies in the meat department. Observed a noticeable odor from dried meat residue. Improve cleaning in the meat department to reduce an attractive odor for flies.
- Observed the use of fly strips without a catching part for flies parts as it dries and falls off. Use a fly control with a catch to retain fly parts.
- Observed dented cans on the sales floor. Remove dented cans from the sales floor.
- Observed meat splatter and debris on meat cutting equipment. Improve cleaning.
- Observed the CO2 tanks not secured to prevent falling over. Secure CO2 tanks.
- Observed an accumulation of debris on the meat cooler guard. Increase cleaning frequency
- Observed the ambient temperature of the eggs, cheese, and lunch meat refrigerator measured at 56F. Observed food measured between 49 and 52 degrees with some bloated and discolored. All foods at or above 50 degrees or have visible bloating and discoloration were voluntarily discarded. Refrigeration defrost timing was adjusted and equipment show to provide temperatures as low as 32 degrees.
- Observed a meat display tray rinsed then towel dried to be used for immediate display of meat. Trays must be washed, rinsed, sanitized, then air dried before use. Facility was instructed to train staff on washing and sanitizing requirements.
- Observed an accumulation of dried liquids in the meat department walk-in refrigerator. Improve cleaning.
- Observed hot water at 115 degrees. Provide hot water at 120 degrees.
- Observed boiled tomatoes, peppers, and onions for salsa kept at room temperature after cooling. Move cooled ingredients into refrigeration once cooled to room temperature.
- Observed the lack of soap and paper towels in dispensers for the kitchen. Provide soap and paper towels. Dish soap was provided.
Businesses that received ‘Good’ ratings
- Holiday Inn Express, 151 S. Parsons Ave., Merced
- La Michoacana Fruit and Ice Cream Inc., 332 W. Main St., Merced
- Rancho San Miguel, 444 Winton Pkwy., Livingston
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
