TULCINGO AZTECA RESTAURANT CORP
π« CLOSED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENTThursday, March 28, 2024
Violations Cited
08C
Pesticide not properly used or stored
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
Improper pesticide use causes chemical contamination and acute poisoning
Licensed applicator only; follow label directions; store away from food; use approved chemicals
08A
Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
PEST ATTRACTION: Harborage conditions support pest infestations. Gaps allow entry of rodents carrying 35+ diseases. Standing water breeds flies that spread 100+ pathogens. Clutter provides nesting for pests. Creates ongoing contamination risk.
Eliminate ALL harborage conditions: Seal cracks/holes (1/4 inch for mice, 1/2 inch for rats), Fix leaking pipes, Remove clutter/unused equipment, Eliminate standing water, Clean grease accumulation, Maintain 6 inches clearance from walls, Remove cardboard storage.
06D
Food Contact Surfaces Not Properly Sanitized
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
BACTERIAL BUILDUP: Unsanitized surfaces harbor millions of bacteria within hours. Cross-contamination affects all food prepared on surface. Major cause of multi-victim outbreaks. Cutting boards can contain 200x more bacteria than toilet seats.
Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: After each use, Between different food types, Every 4 hours in continuous use, When contaminated. Use proper concentration sanitizer (50-100ppm chlorine, 200-400ppm quat). Air dry. Test sanitizer every 2 hours.
20-08
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 Β°F. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishmentβs food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers. Properly scaled and cali
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Failure to post or conspicuously post he to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.
28-06
NYC Health Code Violation 28-06
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 28-06 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.
10F
Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty non-food surfaces harbor pests and bacteria. Employees touch these surfaces then food. Accumulation attracts roaches and rodents. Creates reservoir of contamination that spreads throughout facility.
Clean all non-food surfaces regularly: Walls, ceilings, floors daily in food areas, Equipment exteriors, Storage shelves, Light fixtures monthly. Seal cracks. Repair damaged surfaces. Maintain cleaning schedule. Assign responsibilities.
04H
Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
PATHOGEN SPREAD: Cross-contamination spreads deadly bacteria throughout facility. One contaminated cutting board can transfer Salmonella to 20+ food items. Causes multi-victim outbreaks. E. coli O157:H7 from raw beef can cause kidney failure in children.
Prevent ALL cross-contamination: Separate equipment for raw and ready-to-eat, Color-coded cutting boards, Proper storage order (raw below ready-to-eat), Clean and sanitize between different foods, Cover all foods, Change gloves between tasks.
02G
Cold TCS Food Held Above 41Β°F
Cold TCS food item held above 41 Β°F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 Β°F; intact raw eggs held above 45 Β°F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
DANGER ZONE GROWTH: Between 41-70Β°F, E. coli doubles every 30 minutes. Salmonella doubles every 20 minutes at 70-90Β°F. After just 4 hours above 41Β°F, bacteria levels can cause severe illness including bloody diarrhea, kidney failure (E. coli), and typhoid fever (Salmonella).
Keep all cold TCS foods at 41Β°F or below (smoked fish 38Β°F, shell eggs 45Β°F). Monitor with calibrated thermometer every 2-4 hours. Ice baths must surround container to food level. Repair refrigeration immediately. DISCARD foods above 41Β°F for over 4 hours.
10H
Sanitization not provided for utensil washing
Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.
Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths
Use approved sanitizer at correct concentration; test strips required; proper contact time
06B
NYC Health Code Violation 06B
Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 06B to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.
04M
Live Roaches Present in Facility
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
DISEASE VECTORS: Roaches carry 33 types of bacteria, 6 parasitic worms, 7 human pathogens. Travel from sewers/garbage to food surfaces. Spread Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus. Trigger severe asthma and allergies. One roach = likely infestation of hundreds.
Immediate elimination required: Professional extermination ASAP, Find and eliminate water sources (roaches need water daily), Seal all cracks/crevices, Deep clean with degreaser, Remove cardboard/clutter, Apply gel baits in non-food areas, Follow-up treatment in 2 weeks.
19-04
NYC Health Code Violation 19-04
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) single service article not designated as a recyclable material.
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 19-04 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.
06C
Food not protected from contamination
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customerβs refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants
Cover all food; store 6 inches off floor; protect from customer contamination; use sneeze guards
Establishment Closed by DOHMH. Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring im