Three Merced County businesses pass, one fails in latest food inspections

Three Merced County businesses evaluated by inspectors from the Merced County Division of Environmental Health passed while one business failed, during the latest round of inspections from Oct. 6-9.

Of the latest businesses to be evaluated, three received a rating of “good” and one businesses received a rating of “unsatisfactory.” Two of the businesses received a perfect score with zero violation points.

Businesses receive a “good” rating from inspectors if they receive zero to six violation points during the 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.”

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 an inspector deems 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.

The businesses that received a perfect score were Simple Simon Gas and Liquor, located at 2102 Blossom St., Dos Palos and A&A Nutrition, located at 888 4th St., Los Banos. Both of the businesses received a rating of “good” with zero violation points when they were inspected on Oct. 7 and Oct. 9 respectively.

The other businesses inspected include:

Applebee’s Restaurant, located at 820 Commerce Ave., Atwater, received a rating of “good” with three violation points during an inspection on Oct. 6.

• An inspector observed the water temperature at a three compartment sink and a preparation sink to measure 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The business was instructed to provide both hot and cold water under pressure through a mixing valve to each compartment of the sink and hot water should reach at least 120 degrees. 

Food Maxx, located at 1300 W. Olive Ave., Merced, received a rating of “unsatisfactory” with 23 violation points on Oct. 8. The inspector noted that a reinspection is required.

• An inspector observed a lack of hot water in the bakery. After adjusting a mixing valve, hot water was provided. The inspector noted that this was a repeat violation. 
• Dented cans were observed for sale. The business was instructed to remove dented cans from the sales floor.
• A wall in the meat department was found to be damaged and in need of repair.
• Floor drains in the meat department were found to not be sealed to the surrounding floor. The business was instructed to repair the drains to allow debris to properly drain to a sanitary sewer. 
• The temperature of a vegetable case was measured at 50 degrees. Carrots require refrigeration and should be kept under refrigeration at or below 41 degrees. 
• A chest refrigerator was measured to be 50 degrees. The business was instructed to repair the refrigerator to provide temperatures below 41 degrees. The inspector noted that the facility should ensure all refrigeration equipment is capable of keeping potentially hazardous foods at or below 41 degrees. 

In some instances, problems found by inspectors can be fixed at the time of inspection, according to the Division of Environmental Health. 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 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 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.