Merced restaurant fails health inspection after sanitation, food storage issues

A Merced County restaurant received a failing grade for health and safety during the latest round of inspections by the Merced County Division of Environmental Health last week.

La Finca Branding Iron in Merced, received an “unsatisfactory” rating after having previously received a “good” rating with one violation point during an inspection earlier this year.

Two businesses inspected received a “good” rating, while one business received a “satisfactory” rating.

Violations recorded by inspectors can range in severity from minor to major. Major violations are “violations that are very likely to get people sick” and those violations must be corrected immediately otherwise the business, or portions of the business must close until the issue is corrected, according to the Merced County Division of Environmental Health.

Violations that inspectors deem minor, are “violations that are likely to get people sick but does not require the location to close,” according to the Merced County Division of Environmental Health. If a business fails an inspection, a reinspection is required to take place at a later date.

Businesses receive a “good” rating from inspectors if they receive zero to six violation points during an inspection. Businesses that accumulate seven to 13 violation points receive a rating of “satisfactory,” while businesses that accumulate 14 violation points or greater, receive a rating of “unsatisfactory.”

The latest businesses inspected include:

Food-4-Less, located at 2000 E. Pacheco Blvd., Los Banos, received a “satisfactory” rating with 11 violation points on Sept. 19.

• Ready to eat salads containing chicken and dressing were measured at 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken is a potentially hazardous food and should be kept below 41 degrees. All salads were removed and discarded from the refrigerator. The inspector noted that the refrigerator is to be evaluated and repaired. The business was instructed to cease storing potentially hazardous foods in the unit until it is repaired. 
• A meat area refrigerator storing raw protein was measured at 46 degrees. All of the foods that were less than 10 degrees out of temperature were moved to a refrigerator with a temperature below 41 degrees. The inspector noted that the business is to stop using the unit it is evaluated and repaired.
• Restrooms did not have a hot water temperature between 100-108 degrees F. Guest and employee restrooms are to be repaired until they reach 100-108 degrees F for at least 15 seconds. 
• A walk in freezer was found to have broken condensers. The condensers created ice on the shelf below the condensers. They are to be evaluated and repaired. 
• A walk in freezer door was found to be broken and the door’s wood frame splintered. The business was instructed to evaluate and repair the door. 
• A walk in located inside the business’ bakery was found to have a leak which caused damage to the floor and wall. The inspector noted that the business is to evaluate and repair both the leak and damage. 

Starbucks, located at 1380 E. Pacheco Blvd. in Los Banos, received a “good” rating with six violation points on Sept. 19.

• The inspector observed a missing back sink soap dispenser, leaving no access to soap. The dispenser is to be repaired and soap provided in the unit. The inspector noted this was a repeat violation. 
• A front sink was blocked by a trash can which prevented employees from easily accessing the sink for hand washing. 
• A back hand sink was filled with equipment as well as being blocked with a chair. The staff removed all items from inside and in front of the sink. The business was directed to not block hand sinks as they should be readily accessible at all times.

La Finca Branding Iron, located at 640 W. 16th St. in Merced, received an “unsatisfactory” rating with 16 violation points on Sept. 18.

• During the inspection, the inspector observed an accumulation of debris on the shelves in the bar refrigerator. The inspector noted that the business needed to improve cleaning.
• A sink in the kitchen prep area was found to be blocked with a a bin. The business was instructed to keep the hand washing station accessible for use.
• Wiping towels were not stored in sanitizer and should be kept in sanitized when not in use. The inspector observed the sanitizer solution was cloudy and the chlorine solution was less than 100 parts per million. The business was instructed to replace the sanitizer whenever cloudy. 
• An automatic dishwasher sanitizer strength was observed to be less than 50 parts per million. The machine must be adjusted to provide 50 parts per million of chlorine. The business was instructed to manually sanitize until the automatic dishwasher is adjusted to provide the adequate sanitizing. 
• Multiple containers of food were observed without a cover when not being prepared. Food containers should be covered when not in use. 
• A refrigerator in a kitchen staging area was measured at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The refrigerator is to be adjusted to repaired to provide refrigeration at or below 41 degrees. 
• The inspector observed inadequate cooling for salsa at a server staging area. The salsa was measured at 47 degrees F. The salsa container is to be submerged in ice up to line of salsa and add water to maintain slurry of ice water for improved transfer of heat. 

Bella Luna/The Goods Market Italian Market and Deli, located at 350 W. Main St. in Merced received a “good” rating with two violation points on Sept. 18.

• The inspector observed a cliff located at the transition between the new concrete and existing concrete. The location is to be repaired so no place for debris to become lodged. 
• A refrigerator was observed to be not functioning at the time of the inspection. The inspector noted that the refrigerator is to not be used until inspected and functioning. 

In some instances, problems found by inspectors can be fixed at the time of the inspection. In other instances, violations that an inspector deems to be more serious may result in the closure of the business at the time of inspection.

The inspections represent a snapshot of conditions that were observed by health inspectors at the time of their visit and may not indicate a pattern or 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.

This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM.