CARAMELO CAFE
1447 VALINDA AVE A, LA PUENTE, CA 91744 · RESTAURANT (61-150) SEATS HIGH RISK
Inspection summary
CARAMELO CAFE has been inspected 4 times by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division since February 5, 2024. The most recent inspection, on April 29, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.
None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 17 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.
Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
PestsHigher risk
Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.
Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 29, 2026. For example:
PREMISES; PERSONAL/CLEANING ITEMS; VERMIN-PROOFING
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.
Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 29, 2026. For example:
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND ACCURATE
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 9, 2026. For example:
FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk
Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.
Recorded once on April 9, 2026. For example:
TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, AND USED
Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk
Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.
Recorded once on May 3, 2025. For example:
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS AND HAIR RESTRAINTS
About this data
These results come from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
4 inspections
- OWNER INITIATED INSPECTION
5 infractions
- F139: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND ACCURATE
- 1 point
- F145: FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED AND CLEAN
- 1 point
- F108: PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- 2 points
- F136: EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS APPROVED: INSTALLED; GOOD REPAIR; CAPACITY
- 1 point
- F144: PREMISES; PERSONAL/CLEANING ITEMS; VERMIN-PROOFING
- 1 point
- F139: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND ACCURATE
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
12 infractions
- F115: FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
- 4 points
- F137: EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS AND LINENS: STORAGE AND USE
- 1 point
- F140: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED AND STORED
- 1 point
- F145: FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED AND CLEAN
- 1 point
- F124: NO INSECTS, RODENTS, BIRDS OR ANIMALS PRESENT
- 11 points
- F142: GARBAGE AND REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
- 1 point
- F152: PERMIT SUSPENDED, REVOKED, OR MODIFIED
- F130: TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, AND USED
- 1 point
- F136: EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS APPROVED: INSTALLED; GOOD REPAIR; CAPACITY
- 1 point
- F141: PLUMBING: FIXTURES, BACKFLOW DEVICE, DRAINAGE
- 1 point
- F144: PREMISES; PERSONAL/CLEANING ITEMS; VERMIN-PROOFING
- 1 point
- F134: NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- 1 point
- F115: FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 infractions
- F043: # 43. PREMISES; PERSONAL/CLEANING ITEMS; VERMIN-PROOFING
- 1 point
- F039: # 39. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED AND STORED
- 1 point
- F025: # 25. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS AND HAIR RESTRAINTS
- 1 point
- F043: # 43. PREMISES; PERSONAL/CLEANING ITEMS; VERMIN-PROOFING
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 infractions
- F055: # 01A. DEMONSTRATION OF KNOWLEDGE
- 2 points
- F007: # 07. PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- 2 points
- F055: # 01A. DEMONSTRATION OF KNOWLEDGE
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