Food Establishment Inspection Report Pursuant to Title 25-A of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations
Health Regulation & Licensing Administration • Office of Food, Drug, Radiation, and Community Hygiene • 2201 Shannon Place, SE - 2nd Floor • Washington, DC 20020
D.C. licensed sewage & liquid waste transport contractor:
Valley Proteins
D.C. licensed pesticide operator/contractor:
Rays Professionals Service. (Service date – 11/01/2021)
D.C. licensed ventilation hood system cleaning contractor:
The Grease busters
FOODBORNE ILLNESS RISK FACTORS AND PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS
Compliance Status
COS
R
Supervision
IN
OUT
1.
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
IN
OUT
2.
Certified Food Protection Manager
Employee Health
IN
OUT
3.
Management, food employee, and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities, and reporting
IN
OUT
4.
Proper use of restriction and exclusion
IN
OUT
5.
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Good Hygienic Practices
IN
OUT
N/O
6.
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
IN
OUT
N/O
7.
No discharge from eyes, nose, and mouth
Control of Hands as a Vehicle of Contamination
IN
OUT
N/O
8.
Hands clean and properly washed
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
9.
No bare hand contact with RTE foods or a pre-approved alternate procedure properly allowed
IN
OUT
10.
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Approved Source
IN
OUT
11.
Food obtained from approved source
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
12.
Food received at proper temperature
IN
OUT
13.
Food in good condition, safe, and unadulterated
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
14.
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Protection from Contamination
IN
OUT
N/A
15.
Food separated and protected
IN
OUT
N/A
16.
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized
IN
OUT
17.
Proper disposition of returned, previously served, reconditioned, and unsafe food
Potentially Hazardous Food (Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food)
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
18.
Proper cooking time and temperatures
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
19.
Proper reheating procedures for hot holding
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
20.
Proper cooling time and temperature
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
21.
Proper hot holding temperatures
IN
OUT
N/A
22.
Proper cold holding temperatures
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
23.
Proper date marking and disposition
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
24.
Time as a public health control: procedures and records
Consumer Advisory
IN
OUT
N/A
25.
Consumer advisory provided for raw or undercooked foods
Highly Susceptible Populations
IN
OUT
N/A
26.
Pasteurized foods used; prohibited foods not offered
Chemical
IN
OUT
N/A
27.
Food additives: approved and properly used
IN
OUT
N/A
28.
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, and used
Conformance with Approved Procedures
IN
OUT
N/A
29.
Compliance with variance, specialized process, and HACCP plan
GOOD RETAIL PRACTICES
Compliance Status
COS
R
Safe Food and Water
IN
OUT
N/A
30.
Pasteurized eggs used where required
IN
OUT
31.
Water and ice from approved source
IN
OUT
N/A
32.
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Food Temperature Control
IN
OUT
33.
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
34.
Plant food properly cooked for hot holding
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
35.
Approved thawing methods used
IN
OUT
36.
Thermometers provided and accurate
Food Identification
IN
OUT
37.
Food properly labeled; original container
Prevention of Food Contamination
IN
OUT
38.
Insects, rodents, and animals not present
IN
OUT
39.
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, and display
IN
OUT
N/A
40.
Personal cleanliness
IN
OUT
41.
Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
IN
OUT
N/A
N/O
42.
Washing fruits and vegetables
Proper Use of Utensils
IN
OUT
43.
In-use utensils: properly stored
IN
OUT
44.
Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, and handled
IN
OUT
45.
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored and used
IN
OUT
N/A
46.
Gloves used properly
Utensils, Equipment, and Vending
IN
OUT
47.
Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
IN
OUT
48.
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, and used; test strips
IN
OUT
49.
Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Physical Facilities
IN
OUT
50.
Hot and cold water available; adequate pressure
IN
OUT
51.
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
IN
OUT
52.
Sewage and waste water properly disposed
IN
OUT
53.
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, and cleaned
IN
OUT
54.
Garbage and refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
IN
OUT
55.
Physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
IN
OUT
56.
Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
IN = in compliance
OUT = not in compliance
N/O = not observed
N/A = not applicable
COS = corrected on-site
R = repeat violation
Establishment Name
ALERO RESTAURANT LOUNGE
Establishment Address
1301 U ST NW 113
OBSERVATIONS
25 DCMR
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
10. - There are no paper towels at the handwashing sink located at the bar. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS)
3002.1
Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent sinks shall be provided with: (a) Individual, disposable towels; Pf (b) A continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; Pf (c) A heated-air hand drying device that is provided in addition to other hand-drying devices at sinks used for food preparation or warewashing areas; Pf or (d) A hand drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures. Pf
22. - Temperature control for safety foods temp above 41 degrees F.(Items placed on ice) (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS)
1005.1
Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control as specified in Section 1009, potentially hazardous food (time/ temperature control for safety food) shall be maintained: (b) At five degrees Celsius (5 degrees C) (forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees F)) or less. P
23. - Some temperature control for safety foods intended to be held for more than 24 hours are not date marked.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS)
1007.1
Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method as specified in Section 1011, and except as specified in Section 1007.4 and 1007.5, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) prepared and held in a food establishment for more than twenty- four (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 when held at a temperature of five degrees Celsius (5 degrees C) (forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees F)) or less for a maximum of seven (7) days. Pf
33. - Observed beans cooling in big stock pots. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS)
1004.1
Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified in Section 1003 by using one (1) or more of the following methods based on the type of food being cooled: (a) Placing the food in shallow pans; Pf (b) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions; Pf (c) Using rapid cooling equipment; Pf (d) Stirring the food in a container placed in an ice water bath; Pf (e) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; Pf (f) Adding ice as an ingredient; Pf or (g) Other effective methods. Pf
33. - Observed rice tightly covered while cooling at the counter top. (Loosely covered)
(Corrected On Site)
1004.2
When placed in cooling or cold holding equipment, food containers in which food is being cooled shall be: (a) Arranged in the equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and (b) Loosely covered or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination as specified in Section 816.1(b), during the cooling period to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the food.
37. - Working containers of foods (Oil, Wine) are not name labeled.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)
803.1
Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages for use in the food establishment, such as cooking oils, flour, herbs, potato flakes, salt, spices, and sugar shall be identified with the common name of the food, except that containers holding food that can be readily and unmistakably recognized, such as dry pasta, need not be identified.
38. - Observed live roaches at the cook line and fruit flies near the dish wash area. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS)
3210.1
The premises shall be maintained free of insects, rodents, and other pests. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to minimize their presence on the premises by: Pf (a) Routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies; Pf (b) Routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests; Pf (c) Using methods, if pests are found, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified in Sections 3402, 3410 and 3411; Pf and (d) Eliminating harborage conditions. Pf
39. - Containers of raw chicken were stored on a floor at the walk-in refrigerator. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)
816.1
Except as specified in Sections 816.2 and 816.3, food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food: (a) In a clean, dry location; (b) Where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (c) At least fifteen centimeters (15 cm) or six inches (6 in.) above the floor.
40. - One food employee observed not wearing a hair restraint while working with open food. (He wore at call)
(Corrected On Site)
502.1
Food employees shall wear clean and effective hair restraints, such as hairnets or beard nets, if appropriate, and clothing that covers body hair that are designed and worn to effectively keep hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles. Hats, caps, scarves or other head covers are acceptable if the hair is contained to prevent contamination. Hair spray and tying back the hair in a ponytail are not effective hair restraints.
47. - The wash cycle temperature measuring gauge of the dish wash machine is not functional. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)
1816.3
Ambient air temperature, water pressure, and water temperature measuring devices shall be maintained in good repair and be accurate within the intended range of use.
Sanitizer: Chlorine, 50 ppm, 0.0 pH, 120.0°F
Temperatures
Item/Location
Temp
Item/Location
Temp
Item/Location
Temp
Item/Location
Temp
Hot Water (Handwashing Sink - Bar)
110.0F
Hot Water (Dishwashing Machine - Final Rinse Cycle)
120.0F
Hot Water (Handwashing Sink (kitchen))
110.0F
Hot Water (Handwashing Sink - Dishwash area)
117.0F
Hot Water (3-compartment sink)
120.0F
Hot Water (Dishwashing Machine - Final Rinse Cycle)
Inspector Comments:
Correct cited violations within 5 and 14 calendar-days.
If you have any questions, please contact the Area Supervisor at food.safety@dc.gov with your inquiry details.
DC Health does not assign a grade, percentage, or rating for establishment inspection reports. We perform a pass-fail inspection. The amount of Priority, Priority Foundation, and Core violations are tallied at the top of each inspection report. DC Health also performs follow up inspections to ensure the violations which were cited on the initial report have been corrected. To view an establishment's inspection report, follow this link: https://dc.healthinspections.us.