Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 13, 2026
64
Score
Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 13, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
“Hot water and chemical-methods” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
By comparison, the average Dorchester facility scores 86, putting Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe on the weaker side. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 13, 2026
Routine
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: ROP process utilized at establishment. Prior approval not given. Any special process requires prior approval. Provide a Haacp plan approval for proper review and the sop pertaining to the menu item.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink missing soap. Provide at all times
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Paper towels missing at the handsink. Provide
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Handsink missing proper signage to identify. Provide
590.006/6-301.14-C
When a haccp plan is required (c)
Inspector notes: Observed sous vide equipment stored. Per pic establishment rop is for chicken. Advised pic that a Haccp plan is required for the special process. Discontinue until approval is granted by the City of Boston Health Division.
590.008/8-201.13-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple refrigeration and freezer units with heavy food soils inside. Clean to remove
590.004/4-601.11-C
64
Aug 27, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: Bar glass machine - sanitizer not registering / Repair. Main dish machine can be used until repair is made
590.004/4-703.11-P
Ventilation hood systems adequacy (c)
Inspector notes: Table top fryer being used without proper hood ventilation / Discontinue use or move under the hood ventilation system
590.004/4-301.14-C
82
Mar 6, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floors in basement and behind gift area with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.12-C
Wiping cloths air drying location (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths left out on cutting boards / Store in sanitizer solution when not in use
590.004/4-901.12-C
Storing maintenance tools (c)
Inspector notes: Brooms stored on floor in basement / Elevate at least 6" off of floor when not in use
590.006/6-501.113-C
86
Sep 12, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: Low temp main dish machine not pulling santizer automatically and not registering at time of inspection appears that the line is clogged where it feeds into to machine / Repair. 3 bay sink an bar glass machine can be used until repair is made.
590.004/4-703.11-P
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: Provide air gap on the prep sink in the basement
590.005/5-202.13-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Small rodent droppings noted along base of walls in the basement. Ecolab provides monthly-biweekly exterminations last IPM report on file from 8/29/24 with live mouse activity noted on report. Suggested increasing frequency / Remove droppings and ensure daily cleaning of floors
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Basement cluttered in different areas / De-clutter and organize basement to prevent possibility of harborage and to allow access for extermination services
590.006/6-501.114-C
64
Apr 4, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: Low temp main dish machine - sanitizer not registering rinse line and sanitizer line appear to be hooked up backwards Low temp bar glass machine - sanitizer not registering /Provide 50pp-100ppm chlorine in both machines / 3 bay sink can be used in the interim. Plastic drinkware can be used in place of glassware
590.004/4-703.11-P
Preventing contamination from hands (p)
Inspector notes: Cook observed assembling RTE sandwich with bare hands / Discontinue and provide a proper barrier
590.003(C)/3-301.11-P
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Basement prep room - paper towels out at hand sink / Replace
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling vents and walls surrounding with visible dust build up / Clean to remove
590.006/6-201.17-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Small rodent droppings noted in basement / Ecolab provides monthly or as needed exterminations. Last IPM report dated 3/27/2024 and are actively treating for mice. Discussed moving exterminations to a weekly schedule until further notice / Remove droppings and maintain a daily check and clean in all problem areas Floors in basement and upstairs kitchen with visible soils / Provide a deep clean to floors.
590.006/6-501.13-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood vent covers with visible grease build up / Clean to remove. Hood tag is current through the month of April
590.006/6-201.17-C
58
Dec 20, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Rodent bait stations (p)
Inspector notes: Open bags of poison observed in the basment storage area. Discontinue
590.007/7-206.12-P
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Several portions of ceiling in the basement preparation/hallway missing possibly due to water damage. Address and make any necesary repairs.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Dead rodet observed in the basement dry storage room. Remove.
590.006/6-501.112-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Electric fryer being used in the main kitchen area not under a suppression system. Discontinue use unless otherwise authorized.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: 2 door deli basement cooler with no equipment thermometer observed. Provide. Flpi top deli style cooler on the cook line with no visible equipment thermometer. Provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Portion of ceiling in the basement dry storage area is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
67
May 10, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Faucet at the 3 bay dump sink next to the dish machine is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
95
Oct 13, 2022
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hot water faucet to the hand sink in the basement preparation area does not shut off and continuosly runs. Address and make any necessary repairs. Faucte to the 3 bay sink is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs. Hand sink in the basement restroom is not functioning properly. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Evidence of what appears to be rodent droppings located in the basement rear storage room. Clean to remove and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from July 2022. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Boxes of meats observed being stored on the ground of the walk-in freezer. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
82
May 18, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked chicken in the front service cooler at 65F (cooked from earlier in the morning). Address and ensure all TCS foods are being properly cooler prior to being placed out for service. All other foods inside of the unit were at below 41F. Chicken to be removed and placed into a refrigeration unit to continue the cooling process.
590.003/3-501.14-P
Pressure (pf)
Inspector notes: Hot and cold running water from teh hand sink in the basement is not sufficient enough to properly wash hands. Address and makw any necessary repairs. All other hand sinks were functioning properly at the time of the inspection.
590.005/5-103.12-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of what appears to be rodent droppings on the basement storage floor. Address and clean to remove. Pest control reports were up to date at the time of the visit.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of the small single door Blodget oven with excess carbon build-up. Clean to remove. Floor of the walk-in cooler visibly soiled. Clean to remove. Evidence of what appears to be rodent droppings on teh basement storage floors. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Squeeze bottle filled with sauces and dressings have no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all unecesssary equipment/debris to prevent any further harborage. Preparation room in the basement area with unecessary clutter and tools. Remove and ensure preparation room remains clear of any unecessary equipment/debris.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: No hand washing sign observed at the front service hand sink. Provide.
590.006/6-301.14-C
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe on file is from Feb 13, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “hot water and chemical-methods” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe.
How does Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe 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 Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sweet Life Bakery and Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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