Karen Market

41 Bennington St, East Boston, MA 02128
Grocery / Market
Last inspected: May 6, 2026
61
Score
Medium Risk

Karen Market appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from May 6, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near two violations per visit across recent inspections.

Across the inspection history, “nonfood contact surfaces” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

Karen Market's latest score of 61 falls below the East Boston average of 91. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
4
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 6, 2026
Routine
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: No DBA post outside the establishment ./Provide
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed cheese stored in the refrigeration without label./Provide label
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Segregation and location-distressed merchandise (pf)
Inspector notes: 10 Bottle of Nance en almbar with past expiration date from June 2025.6 bottles Luroco en salmuera ( Loroco In brine) with past expiration date from 10/2020. Facundo Gandulles _Pigeen Peas with past expiration date from 09.2023. /Address and ensure all foods are being checked prior to and while out on the sales floor for expiration dates
590.006/6-404.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Small amount of mise dropping observed on the selves with dry goods. Clean to remove/Provide IPM report to Keila.depina@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Observed employee washing mango on the handwashing sink/ Discontinue
590.003/3-307.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Circus-Man Coffin freezer observed with excess frost build -up. Defrost and Clean to remove Retail shelving/observed dust/soils on food cans/clean to remove dust/soils
590.004/4-602.13-C
61
Dec 4, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 28, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jan 2, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 18, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jan 9, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsinks at prep area and toilet missing paper towels. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips on site for QUATs sanitizer used. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: No signage at prep area hand sink. Provide.
590.006/6-301.14-C
78
Oct 4, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 8, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Deep freezer with excessive ice build up / Remove and maintain
590.004/4-602.13-C
Frequency-removal (c)
Inspector notes: Large amount of cardboard boxes in the back trash area / Provide more frequent removal to maintain a clutter free space
590.005/5-502.11-C
90
Dec 27, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jun 22, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Shelving in stand up refrigeration with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
95

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Karen Market last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Karen Market on file is from May 6, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Karen Market?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Karen Market.

How does Karen Market compare to other restaurants in East Boston?

Karen Market most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the East Boston average of 91.

Has Karen Market's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Karen Market have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Karen Market 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 Karen Market inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Karen Market is inspected around three times per year on average.