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Maria’s Tex Mex, located at 33 Buford Village Way in Buford, received a score of 50 points out of a possible 100 points during their 12/06/2024 inspection by the Georgia Department of Public Health.
The violations noted by the inspector were:
Violation #1:
1-2A: .03(2)(a)-(l), (n)Due to multiple risk factor and public health intervention violations during today’s inspection, person in charge is not demonstrating active managerial control. It is the responsibility of the person in charge to ensure compliance with the food code by demonstrating active managerial control within their facility. (Pf)
Violation #2:
2-1B: .03(5)(c)Observed employee remove gum from their mouth with hand, then proceed to clean dishes with sprayer without washing hands. Employees must wash hands and exposed portions of arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service articles, and: 1) after touching exposed body parts; 2) after using the restroom; 3) after coughing, sneezing, using tobacco, eating, or drinking; 4) after handling soiled equipment or utensils; 5) during food preparation, as often as needed to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks; 6) before putting on gloves; 7) after engaging in other activities that contaminate hands; 8) a second time when entering the kitchen from using the restroom. (P)
Corrective Actions: Employee washed hands properly. Equipment contacted by hands were re-washed and sanitized.
Violation #3:
2-2B: .03(5)(j)1&2Observed employee chewing gum while cleaning dishes. Employees shall consume food and drink only in approved designated areas separate from food preparation and serving areas, equipment or utensil areas and food storage areas (unless drinking from a single service beverage cup with a secure lid and straw that is handled to prevent contamination of the employee’s hands, the container, exposed food, clean equipment, utensils and linens, unwrapped single-service and single-use articles). (C)
Corrective Actions: Employee discarded gum.
Violation #4:
2-2D: .07(3)(a)Observed handwashing sink with no soap. Each handwashing sink shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. (Pf)
Corrective Actions: Soap was supplied to handwashing sink.
Violation #5:
2-2D: .06(2)(o)Observed handwashing sink blocked by trash can. A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. (Pf)
Corrective Actions: Trash can was moved.
Violation #6:
5-1B: .04(5)(h)Observed two containers of queso with a final reheat temperature below 165F. Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooked, cooled, and reheated for hot holding shall be reheated so that all parts of the food reach a minimum temperature of 165°F (74°C) within 2 hours. (P)
Corrective Actions: Queso that did not reheat to 165F in 2 hours were discarded. Instructed person in charge to continue reheating other 2 containers of queso to 165F.
Violation #7:
6-1B: .04(6)(f)Observed cooked rice, green salsa, and refried beans that were hot holding below 135F. Time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 135°F (57°C) or above. (P)
Corrective Actions: Foods were discarded.
Violation #8:
6-2: .04(6)(h)Observed crushed tomatoes, salsa de camaron, birria, and steak in walk-in cooler that were date marked to indicate they were prepared more than 7 days ago. Observed ground beef, refried beans, shredded chicken, and black beans in walk-in freezer that were date marked to indicate they were prepared more than 7 days ago. A food that requires datemarking shall be discarded if it exceeds 7 days, not including the time that the product is frozen. (P)
Corrective Actions: Person in charge explained foods in the walk-in cooler had been in freezer for a time. Foods were labeled with the date of freezing and thawing. Foods in the freezer were labeled with their freeze date.
Violation #9:
8-2B: .07(6)(b)Observed container of soap and spray bottle of Windex with no labels. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. (Pf)
Corrective Actions: Labels were added to containers.
Violation #10:
8-2B: .07(6)(g)Observed rags stored in chlorine sanitizer above the maximum allowable concentration. Chemical sanitizers used on food contact surfaces shall not exceed stated concentrations (100 ppm for chlorine and 400 ppm for quaternary ammonia). (P)
Corrective Actions: Sanitizer was remade to proper concentration.
Violation #11:
11C: .04(6)(c)Observed pan of refried beans thawing at room temperature. Time/temperature control for safety food shall be thawed: 1) under refrigeration that keeps the food at 41°F or below; 2) completely submerged in running water with the temperature of the water at 70°F or below, and the no part of the food exceeding 41°F; 3) as a part of the cooking process. (C)
Corrective Actions: Refried beans were moved to walk-in cooler.
Violation #12:
12D: .04(4)(g)Observed white onions and red onions that had been cut without being washed first. Raw fruits and vegetables shall be thoroughly washed in water, in a sink designated for that purpose only, to remove soil and other contaminants before being cut, combined with other ingredients, cooked, served, or offered for human consumption in ready-to-eat form. (Pf)
Corrective Actions: Onions were discarded.
Violation #13:
17A: .07(2)(l)Mens restroom door is not self-closing. Except where a toilet room is located outside a food service establishment and does not open directly into the food service establishment, such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall, a toilet room located on the premises shall be completely enclosed and provided with a tight-fitting and self-closing door. (C)
Additional remarks:
Note: A follow-up inspection will occur within 10 days.
Note: An informal inspection will occur within 10 days to verify that item 17A has been corrected. Failure to correct violation may result in permit suspension.
Note: A required additional routine inspection will occur on or before 12/6/2025.
Note: All cold holding and hot holding temperatures in compliance unless otherwise stated. Only one item was cold holding improperly. Food was discarded.
Note: Joint inspection with KKP.