Health inspections find 3 Merced County businesses ‘unsatisfactory.’ See where

Three Merced County businesses failed health inspections in the past week, according to the latest round of inspections by the Merced County Division of Environmental Health.

The three businesses inspected between Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, were given “unsatisfactory” ratings by health inspectors who found violations which range from the accumulation of mold to broken doors.

Violations 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:

El Bajio Market, located at 1010 W. 16th St. in Merced, received a rating of “unsatisfactory” with 28 points on Oct. 1.

• The inspector observed sliced tomatoes and sauce in a prep fridge measured at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Containers of food were not on hanging rails. 
• Carnitas toppings in fried pork skin measured 80 degrees. Toppings are to be kept hot in a heated display. The food was voluntarily discarded at the time of inspection. 
• The inspector observed caramelized onions and peppers in a heated display that measured 102 degrees. The display was adjusted to a measurement of 137 degrees and the onions and peppers were voluntarily discarded. Potentially hazardous foods should be kept below 41 degrees or at or above 135 degrees. 
• A kitchen hand wash sink was not functioning. 
• Wiping towels were not stored in a sanitizer between use. The inspector noted that this was a second repeat violation. 
• Ground beef was cooling uncovered next to a hand wash sink. Food is to be kept covered when not being worked on to prefect splash and aerosol contamination. 
• A sliding door to a meat display case was damaged and repaired with tape. The inspector noted the door should be repaired back to the original condition. 
• An accumulation of debris was on fan covers and racks in the walk in refrigerators. The inspector noted that the cleaning frequency should be increased. 
• Chorizo stored on cooled racks measured 60 degrees. The inspector noted chorizo should be kept under refrigeration or to obtain a permit from California Department of Food and Agriculture to dry meat. 
• Baby formula on the sales floor was past the expiration date. The inspector instructed the business to remove all expired baby food and formula from sale. 
• A hand wash sink was leaking and shut off. The inspector instructed the business to repair the sink. 

7 Star Liquor, located at 1230 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Merced, received a rating of “unsatisfactory” with 22 violation points on Oct. 1.

• An inspector observed the accumulation of black mold build up on the deflector plate of an ice machine. The inspector noted the business should increase the frequency of cleaning to prevent the visible buildup of debris on the deflector plate. According to the inspector’s comments, this was a second repeat violation. 
• Bags of ice packed at the location did not have the business name and address on the bags. The inspector noted this is a repeat violation. 
• An accumulation of dust on fan guards for a walk-in evaporator fans was observed during the inspection. The business was instructed to improve cleaning frequency. The inspector noted this is a repeat violation. 
• Syrup was accumulated on the soda nozzles and head. The business was instructed to improve cleaning frequency. The inspector noted this was a repeat violation. 
• The business lacked paper towels for a hand washing station in a restroom. The inspector noted this is a repeat violation. The business was instructed to provide a dispenser that protects paper towels and provide appropriate paper towels for the dispenser. 
• Toilet paper was not stored in a dispenser. The inspector instructed the business to keep toilet paper in the dispenser. The inspector noted this is a repeat violation.
• There were no test strips to verify the strength of sanitizer. The inspector noted this was a repeat violation. 

Rancho San Miguel, located at 1930 Yosemite Parkway in Merced, received a rating of “unsatisfactory” with 21 violation points on Oct. 2.

• Tamale husks and tostado shells inside original packing containers was stored beneath motorized equipment and on top of broken equipment along with non food items such as wood. The inspector noted that food should be stored in manner which prevents contamination from debris such as wood or chemicals. 
• Packaged meals were stored on the bottom shelf of a display refrigerator next to hot food service. The bottom shelf food was found to be above 51 degrees and voluntarily condemned and destroyed. The business was instructed to repair the unit so it provides a temperature below 41 degrees and to not store potentially hazardous food on the bottom shelf of the unit until it consistently reads below 41 degrees. 
• Chorizo was at a temperature of 50 degrees while stored in storage equipment. The inspector instructed the business to repair the unit so it provides at temperature below 41 degrees at all times. All food found to be within 10 degrees out of temperature was moved to a temperature below 41 degrees. 
• The business had four broken doors. The inspector noted that two doors were shattered, one had cardboard in lieu of glass and another door was off the hinges. The business was instructed to repair all doors. 
• A drain gate located in the salad and frescas area was broken and deteriorated. The business was instructed to repair the issue to prevent injury. 
• A restroom did not have toilet paper inside a dispenser and a restroom door stopper was found to be broken. 
• The facility was found to have raw meat that was stored unprotected inside a walk-in unit. 
• A food prep knife was stored inside a knife holding location at a chorizo container. The inspector noted the area is not easily cleaned and should not be used to store knives. 
• Tortilla chips were left uncovered. The inspector noted all food should be kept covered when not being actively prepared. 
• A hand wash sink was blocked with equipment and food. The sink did not have a soap dispenser. 
• A three compartment sink was found to have a water temperature of 82 degrees. The facility was instructed to repair the unit to the 120 degree minimum temperature for dishwashing.
• The facility did not have access to a three-compartment sink, nor a proper dipper well for the ice cream scoop. The inspector noted that the facility should stop serving ice cream until the dipper well and three compartment sink are repaired in the salad aquas frescos area. 
• A tortilla chip machine was overflowing with grease. The facility was instructed to provide more frequent maintenance to ensure the grease trap does not overflow. 
• Breads and gelatin were stored uncovered on moving racks. The facility was instructed to provide a cover for all food to protect against contamination. 
• A walk in freezer light was not functioning along with a note “to repair.” The facility was instructed to repair issue. The inspector noted this is a repeat violation. 

According to the Division of Environmental Health, in some instances 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 patter 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.

This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM.