Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 3811 Fairfax Dr Unit # B, Arlington, VA 22203 - Fast Food Restaurant inspection findings and violations



Business Info

Restaurant: Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Address: 3811 Fairfax Dr Unit # B, Arlington, VA 22203
Type: Fast Food Restaurant
Phone: 703 243-2933
Total inspections: 5
Last inspection: 10/19/2015

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Inspection findings

Inspection date

Type

Today's inspection was a follow-up due to a NOV for no Certified Food Manager. Substantial compliance observed, and all previous violations have been corrected. Thank you! Please continue to ensure a Northern Virginia CFM is on duty at all times during operation.
No violation noted during this evaluation.
10/19/2015Follow-up
Today's inspection was a follow-up for CFM. Substantial compliance was not observed, an NOAV/Notice of Alleged Violation will be issued. Follow-up will be on or after 30 days. 15 October 15. Please provide invoice for prep unit and ensure no TCS foods are stored unless unit is 41 F or less.
  • Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Observed yogurt (53 F) improperly cold holding in prep unit (60 F).
    Correction: Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control as specified under section 3-501.19, and except as specified under paragraph (B) of this section, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 5ºC (41ºF) or less. Bacterial growth and/or toxin production can occur if time/temperature control for safety food remains in the temperature "Danger Zone" of 5ºC to 57ºC (41ºF to 135ºF) too long. Up to a point, the rate of growth increases with an increase in temperature within this zone. Beyond the upper limit of the optimal temperature range for a particular organism, the rate of growth decreases. Operations requiring heating or cooling of food should be performed as rapidly as possible to avoid the possibility of bacterial growth.
  • Food Manager Certificate and Responsibility (repeated violation)
    Observation: The food establishment is not under the immediate control of a Northern Virginia certified food manager.
    Correction: It shall be unlawful to operate a food establishment unless it is under the immediate control of a Northern Virginia certified food manager
09/15/2015Follow-up
  • Hands and Arms/When to Wash (corrected on site)
    Observation: A food employee failed to wash his or her hands before donning gloves for working with food.
    Correction: Instruct food employees to clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles (A) After touching bare human body parts other than clean, exposed portions of arms (B) After using the toilet room (C) After caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals as specified in 2-403.11(B) (D) After coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating, or drinking (E) After handling soiled equipment or utensils (F) During food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks (G) When switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat food (H) Before donning gloves for working with food and (I) After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands.
  • Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces are not held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution of proper concentration.
    Correction: Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be: (1) Held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a concentration specified under section 4-501.114
  • Food Storage/Preventing Contamination from the Premises (repeated violation)
    Observation: Stored food is not protected from contamination. Observed boxes of food on the floor of the walk-in freezer.
    Correction: Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food: (1) In a clean, dry location
  • Cooling, Cooked Food
    Observation: Vegetable mix (70 F) cooked at 10 am was not cooled within 2 hours from 57ºC (135ºF) to 21ºC (70ºF).
    Correction: Cooked time/temperature control for safety food shall be cooled: (1) Within 2 hours from 57ºC (135ºF) to 21ºC (70ºF)
  • Cooling Methods
    Observation: Methods used for cooling vegetable mix can not be accomplished with the time and temperature criteria.
    Correction: Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified under section 3-501.14 by using one or more of the following methods based on the type of food being cooled: (1) Placing food in shallow pans
  • Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding (corrected on site)
    Observation: Spinach (75 F) and yogurt (51) observed cold holding at the improper temperatures.
    Correction: Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control as specified under section 3-501.19, and except as specified under paragraph (B) of this section, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 5ºC (41ºF) or less. Bacterial growth and/or toxin production can occur if time/temperature control for safety food remains in the temperature "Danger Zone" of 5ºC to 57ºC (41ºF to 135ºF) too long. Up to a point, the rate of growth increases with an increase in temperature within this zone. Beyond the upper limit of the optimal temperature range for a particular organism, the rate of growth decreases. Operations requiring heating or cooling of food should be performed as rapidly as possible to avoid the possibility of bacterial growth.
  • RTE, TCS, Date Marking/On-Premises Preparation (corrected on site)
    Observation: Tomatoes, lettuce and other items prepared and held in the food establishment for more than 24 hours is not clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded.
    Correction: Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method as specified under section 3-502.12, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, based on the temperature of 5ºC (41ºF) or less for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. A date marking system that meets the criteria of this section may include: (1) Using a method approved by the regulatory authority for refrigerated, ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food that is frequently rewrapped, such as lunchmeat or a roast, or for which date marking is impractical, such as soft serve mix or milk in a dispensing machine
  • RTE, TCS, Date Marking/Commercially Processed Food (corrected on site)
    Observation: Pre-cooked rice, chicken, steak and other foods prepared and packaged by a food processing plant opened and held for more than 24 hours was not clearly marked at the time the original container was opened in the food establishment to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded.
    Correction: Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and packaged by a food processing plant shall be clearly marked, at the time the original container is opened in a food establishment and if the food is held for more than 24 hours, to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, based on the temperature and time combination specified in paragraph (A) of this section and: (1) The day the original container is opened in the food establishment shall be counted as Day 1
  • Characteristics/Single-Service and Single-Use/Impart Colors, Odors, Tastes (corrected on site)
    Observation: Observed cut leafy greens being stored in take out bags in walk-in refrigerator.
    Correction: Materials that are used to make single-service and single-use articles imparts colors, odors, or tastes to food. The safety and quality of food can be adversely affected through single service and single use articles that are not constructed of acceptable materials. The migration of components of those materials to food they contact could result in chemical contamination and illness to the consumer. In addition, the use of unacceptable materials could adversely affect the quality of the food because of odors, tastes, and colors transferred to the food.
  • Food Temperature Measuring Devices
    Observation: A food temperature measuring device is not provided and readily accessible for use in ensuring attainment and maintenance of food temperatures.
    Correction: Food temperature measuring devices shall be provided and readily accessible for use in ensuring attainment and maintenance of food temperatures as specified under Chapter 3. The presence and accessibility of food temperature measuring devices is critical to the effective monitoring of food temperatures. Proper use of such devices provides the operator or person in charge with important information with which to determine if temperatures should be adjusted or if foods should be discarded.
  • Single-Serve and Single-Use Articles, Use Limitation
    Observation: Manufacturer containers were observed reused for the storage of water used in smoothies.
    Correction: Discontinue the reuse of single-use containers for @FOOD@ storage. Provide approved reusable food storage containers designed for your food storage needs.
  • Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (corrected on site)
    Observation: The food-contact surfaces of several pieces of equipment stored as clean are not clean to sight and touch.
    Correction: Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. The objective of cleaning focuses on the need to remove organic matter from food-contact surfaces so that sanitization can occur.
  • Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils/Time Temperature Control For Safety Food/Cleaning Frequency (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Surfaces of the soda nozzles, ice machine, and can opener are not clean.
    Correction: Except when dry cleaning methods are used as specified under section 4-603.11, surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature control for safety food shall be cleaned: (1) At any time when contamination may have occurred
  • Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required (corrected on site)
    Observation: After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils are not air-dried, adequately drained before contact with food.
    Correction: After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils: (A) Shall be air-dried or used after adequate draining as specified in the first paragraph of 40 CFR 180.940 Tolerance exemptions for active and inert ingredients for use in antimicrobial formulations (food-contact surface sanitizing solutions), before contact with food
  • Handwashing Sink/Using/Operation and Maintenance (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: The handwashing sink located near smoothie prep area is not maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. Boxes and other items were stored in front of the hand sink.
    Correction: A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing and restricted for that use. Convenient accessibility of a handwashing facility encourages timely handwashing which provides a break in the chain of contamination from the hands of food employees to food or food-contact surfaces.
  • Handwashing Cleanser, Availability (corrected on site)
    Observation: A supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap is not provided at each handwashing sink. Both hand washing sinks did not have soap.
    Correction: Each handwashing sink or group of 2 adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Hand cleanser must always be present to aid in reducing microorganisms and particulate matter found on hands.
  • Hand Drying Provision (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Each handwashing sink is not provided with individual, disposable towels
    Correction: a continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel
  • Food Manager Certificate and Responsibility
    Observation: The food establishment is not under the immediate control of a Northern Virginia certified food manager.
    Correction: It shall be unlawful to operate a food establishment unless it is under the immediate control of a Northern Virginia certified food manager
09/04/2015Routine
  • Package Integrity (corrected on site)
    Observation: A severely dented can of peaches was observed on shelf in dry storage. Removed.
    Correction: Food packages shall be in good condition and protect the integrity of the contents so that food is not exposed to adulteration or potential contaminants.
  • Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation
    Observation: Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces are not held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution of proper concentration
    Correction: and/or not laundered daily.
  • Food Storage/Preventing Contamination from the Premises
    Observation: Stored food is not protected from contamination. Cases of food stored on floor in walk in freezer.
    Correction: Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food: (1) In a clean, dry location
  • Equipment/Good Repair and Proper Adjustment
    Observation: The caulking at the prep sink/hand sink assembly at smoothie prep station was observed with accumulation of rust.
    Correction: Equipment shall be maintained in a state of repair and condition that meets the requirements specified under Parts 4-1 [Materials for Construction and Repair] and 4-2 [Design and Construction]. Proper maintenance of equipment to manufacturer specifications helps ensure that it will continue to operate as designed. Failure to properly maintain equipment could lead to violations of the associated requirements of the Code that place the health of the consumer at risk. For example, refrigeration units in disrepair may no longer be capable of properly cooling or holding potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) foods at safe temperatures.
  • Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils/Time Temperature Control For Safety Food/Cleaning Frequency
    Observation: Surfaces of the can opener blade are not clean.
    Correction: Except when dry cleaning methods are used as specified under section 4-603.11, surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature control for safety food shall be cleaned: (1) At any time when contamination may have occurred
  • Handwashing Sink/Using/Operation and Maintenance (corrected on site)
    Observation: The handwashing sink at prep area is used for purposes other than handwashing. Containers observed in basin.
    Correction: A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing. Sinks used for food preparation and warewashing can become sources of contamination if used as handwashing facilities by employees returning from the toilet or from duties which have contaminated their hands.
  • Hand Drying Provision (corrected on site)
    Observation: Each handwashing sink is not provided with individual, disposable towels
    Correction: a continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel
  • Physical Facilities/Repairing
    Observation: Rust staining observed on floor under smoothie prep unit.
    Correction: Physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. Poor repair and maintenance compromises the functionality of the physical facilities. This requirement is intended to ensure that the physical facilities are properly maintained in order serve their intended purpose.
09/09/2014Routine
  • Plumbing System/Maintained in Good Repair
    Observation: Leak observed at P trap under hand sink next to smoothie prep unit.
    Correction: All plumbing fixtures shall be maintained in proper repair.
  • Outer Openings, Protected (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Front door was propped open at time of inspection.
    Correction: Outer openings to establishment shall be allowed to self close.
  • Controlling Pests
    Observation: Fruit flies observed at prep sink by smoothie prep unit.
    Correction: Insect harborage conditions shall be controlled in establishment.
09/27/2013Routine

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