Dorchester Food Co-Op
Last inspected: Mar 27, 2026
74
Score
Dorchester Food Co-Op appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 27, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 11 violations to closer to two violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded seven times.
Compared to other Dorchester restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 27, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Safe unadulterated and honestly presented (p)
Inspector notes: Observed old fruit with small flies stored for purchace. PIC removed. Advised to monitor all products to assure proper quality and pest activity.
590.003/3-101.11-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed live small flies on bruised fruit. Provide a current pest control report.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Rodent droppings observed on the floor behind the refrigeration unit. Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
74
Dec 12, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service by licensed exhausthood cleaner provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Nov 10, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service by licensed exhausthood cleaner provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Apr 14, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: 3 package of rotisserie chicken 89F and 4 turkey empanada 109F. PIC voluntarily discard all products. Discussed hot holdin parameters with PIC .
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple containers of food stored in the refrigeration unit observed without date marking. Per PIC foods were prep earlier today and the night before. Provide date marking with made/discard date.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple mice droppings observed on grocery shelvings (paper/ cat /dog food). Clean to remove PC to provide current detailed IPM report to: inca.prince@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Warewashing and kitchen main handsink observed without paper towel. Provide . (corrected on site)
590.006/6-301.12-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC to provide active manegerial control
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood vent observed heavily soiled. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of 4 door refrigeratior unit in the kitchen area observed visibly soiled from food spills and encrusted food. Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood system sticker observed expired February 4 2025. Provide updated sticker from a licensed hood cleaner.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Walkin floors kitchen floor observed visibly soiled from loose debris and food spills. Clean to remove.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Numerous boxes of food observed stored on the floor inside the walking freezer. Discontinue/ Elevate
590.003/3-305.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Kitchen storage area and outside area observed heavy clutter by old pieces of furniture boxes and empty bottes. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.114-C
43
Nov 1, 2024
Routine
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 22 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Observed raw chicken stored on above cherry tomato and raw shelled eggs stored above RTE foods. Discontinue and keep separated.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Safe unadulterated and honestly presented (p)
Inspector notes: Observed coontianers of food and strawberries with visible mold inside and couple cans of beans observed dented. All products were voluntary discard by PIC. PIC to retrain staff on monotoring package integrity
590.003/3-101.11-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Observed staff leaving food prep area and coming back to the food prep area to work with food without washing hands. PIC to retrain staff on when to wash.
590.002/2-301.14-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Kitchen refrigeration units observed soiled from visible food crust and spills interior walking freezer and walking unit observed soiled cook range backsplash observed soiled interior of rinse compartment of 3 bay sink observed soiled meat chest freezer observed with heavy ice build up. Clean and sanitize to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC to retrain staff on all P's and PF's violation noted.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Kitchen area handsinks observed blocked by crate and green scrub pads. Discontinue maintain accessible at all time. (Corrected on site)
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC to retrain staff on all P's and PF's violation noted on the inspection report.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Numerous containers of food stored in the refrigeration unit observed without date marking. Per PIC foods were prep earlier today and the night before. Provide date marking with made/discard date.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired 9.12.24. Provide updated sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Kitchen storage area and outside area observed heavy clutter by old non use equipments. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.114-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Kitchen area handsinks observed without employee must wash hands sign. Provide
590.006/6-301.14-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Observed floor under all equipments and under warewashing sink with heavy soiled build up.Clean to remove.
590.006/6-201.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Front of the house handsinks and prep sink observed leaking. Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: In line refirgeration unit observed with temp 67F. Repair.
590.004/4-501.11-C
Drain boards (c)
Inspector notes: Drain boards at the 3 bay sink observed blocked by frying equipment. Remove
590.004/4-301.13-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood vent observed heavily soiled. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple boxes of foods observed stored on the floor inside walking freezer. Discontinue/ elevate
590.003/3-305.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: In use utensils observed stored inside the food. Discontinue and use handled scoop to prevent contamination by hand.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Observed containers of powder substances in the kitchen without identification labels. Provide labels when removed from original containers.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple containers of RTE foods observed without cover. Provide
590.003/3-302.11-C
Drying mops (c)
Inspector notes: Observed cleaning mop stored in stagnat soiled water. Discontinue
590.006/6-501.16-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Observed staff working with RTE foods wihout hair restraint. Provide and maintain. (Corrected on site)
590.002/2-402.11-C
19
Jun 17, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: No sticker posted on exhausthood system service by licensed exhausthood cleaning company and provide current sticker with report.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
May 15, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: No sticker posted on exhausthood system service by licensed exhausthood cleaning company and provide current sticker with report.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Apr 30, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide additional lamps for maintaining hot temps at cooked foods area.
590.004/4-301.11-PF
Segregation and location-distressed merchandise (pf)
Inspector notes: No signage posted at segregated area for damaged foods or returnables provide.
590.006/6-404.11-PF
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Food safety and Allergen certification is not posted provide.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: No sticker posted on exhausthood system at kitchen area referring to Boston Fire Department.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Storage refuse recyclables and returnable (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all wooden pallets recyclables from trash area shall be inaccessible to insects rodents.
590.005/5-501.110-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: No thermometers for some undercounter unit in the front and kitchen area provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Serving utensils stored in stagnant water In-use utensils must be stored in food with handle above food in clean water of 135F or higher.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floors below storage shelving inside walk in cooler to remove visible soil.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove clutter through rear storage area of non inuse equipment.
590.006/6-501.114-C
58
Oct 3, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: As discussed with PIC a sneeze guard will be installed at the front counter to protect the hot holding equipment from customers.
590.003/3-307.11-C
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Dorchester Food Co-Op last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Dorchester Food Co-Op on file is from Mar 27, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Dorchester Food Co-Op?
Across the inspection record, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Dorchester Food Co-Op.
How does Dorchester Food Co-Op compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Dorchester Food Co-Op most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Dorchester Food Co-Op's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Dorchester Food Co-Op have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Dorchester Food Co-Op means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Dorchester Food Co-Op inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Dorchester Food Co-Op is inspected around four times per year on average.
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