Premises Information


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Name

NEW ZEALAND CAFE

Address

1717 SARDIS RD N

City/State/ZIP

CHARLOTTE

28270

Premise Type

1 - Restaurant

County

Mecklenburg

Inspection Date

2/17/2023

Final Score @ Grade

General Comments

EHS arrived for inspection at approximately 10:10 a.m. Upon arrival, EHS observed no onsite personnel engaged in food prep. EHS circled premises and observed proper storage of trash and maintenance of facility dumpster. Prior to staff arrival, EHS reviewed to go menu posted at facility entrance to review consumer advisory. EHS entered facility at time of morning staff arrival, at approximately 10:35. EHS observed effective usage of time labels for established TPHC procedures, including sushi rice and smelt roe bowls. EHS also observed fried shrimp and cheese ravioli placed at a warming tray at approximately 12:15, with a permanent TPHC label that stated items were held from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Conversation with the PIC revealed that these items were continuously cooked and placed throughout hours of operation as needed. EHS elaborated that should this be done, the expectation will be that items are properly labeled for their time of preparation and disposal, cooked for immediate service to customers, or that they will be disposed of by 3 p.m., due to existing labeling, despite potentially having been prepared fewer than four hours prior. EHS observed presence of pink, powdered additive within the sushi prep area. Conversation with the PIC elaborated that this additive is ‘Cod Powder’, or powdered fish extract. Based on ingredients listing, as seen on packaging of unopened additive provided by PIC, item is to be kept refrigerated, and is an approved additive.

Violations

CDI=Corrected During Inspection

R=Repeat Violation

VR=Verification Required

Violation Item	Demerits	Violation Description	CDI	R	VR	Comments
2	0	Certified Food Protection Manager	No	No	No	2-102.12 PIC shall demonstrate knowledge by being a certified food protection manager. Observed PIC with an expired ServSafe certification (expired 09/18/2013). PIC demonstrated knowledge via questions answered throughout the inspection. For more information on becoming a certified food protection manager please visit: http://meck.co/FoodSafety
15	1.50	Food separated & protected	Yes	Yes	No	3-302.11(A)(1) Separate raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods and washed/unwashed fruits and vegetables. -P For more information on food storage order please visit: http://meck.co/FoodSafety Observed three (3) boxes of thawing scallops stored above ready to eat vegetables, including cut and washed cucumber, in the WIC. CDI - Scallops were rotated to proper storage shelving (adjacent to shrimp) in the WIC to complete thawing. REPEAT. No escalation in point deduction due to noted improvement in WIC and Walk in freezer storage order.
23	1.50	Proper date marking & disposition	Yes	Yes	No	3-501.17 Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and held more than 24hrs. -Pf For more information please visit: http://meck.co/FoodSafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://youtu.be/bRvqAETDjQU and Date Marking Food Safely https://youtu.be/BOPsSNUajYs . Observed one (1) bin of cooked noodles and one (1) bin of open fried chicken within the WIC cooler without date marks. PIC stated that these items had been prepared the previous evening and were placed in the WIC to cool. When temped, both items were observed at proper cold holding temperatures. CDI - Date marks were affixed to chicken and noodles. REPEAT.
28	0	Toxic substances properly identified stored & used	Yes	No	No	7-102.11 Label working containers of toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers.-Pf Observed two (2) spray bottles of sanitizer stored at hallway storage rack with no labeling. PIC stated that these spray bottles were place to allow for tables to be wiped down after guests depart. CDI - Bottles were labeled by EHS.
35	0.50	Approved thawing methods used	Yes	No	No	3-501.13 (E ) Reduced oxygen packaged fish, required to be kept frozen until time of use per labeling, shall be removed from the reduced oxygen environment prior to thawing under refrigeration or upon completion of thawing using running water. Observed approximately seventeen (17) ROP packages of tuna being thawed in the sushi prep top. All tuna packages were observed as having been at or below cold holding temperature, but had not been removed from their reduced oxygen environment. CDI - EHS demonstrated means of removing ROP fish from reduced oxygen environment by cutting a slit into an ROP package. PIC delegated removal of fish from packaging to food employees.
45	0	Single-use & single-service articles: properly stored & used	No	No	No	4-903.11(A)(C) Store single-use and single-service articles in a clean, dry location; where they are not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed various cardboard boxes stored throughout the hallway, including approximately four (4) stored directly on the ground. PIC elaborated that these items were to be used as carrying cases for to go orders.
47	0	Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used	No	No	No	4-101.19/4-202.16 Non FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other FOOD soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a CORROSION-RESISTANT, nonabsorbent, and SMOOTH material. NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES shall be free of unnecessary ledges, projections, and crevices, and designed and constructed to allow easy cleaning and to facilitate maintenance. Observed flattened cardboard sheets at ware washing and grill area flooring. Additional conversation with PIC has elaborated that these items are not litter, and are instead being used as non slip flooring. Replace cardboard at flooring throughout the kitchen with non absorbent, non slip material, such as plastic matting.
53	0.50	Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied & cleaned	No	Yes	No	5-501.17 Provide a covered waste bin in female restrooms. Observed no covered waste receptacle in female restroom. REPEAT. No escalation in point deduction due to attempted improvement in female restroom trash storage (use of plastic trash bags within waste bin)