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EL MERCADO LATINO INC.

1807 HOWARD RD, AUBURN, WA 98002 · Restaurant (Meat/Sea Food)

Inspection summary

EL MERCADO LATINO INC. has been inspected 37 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since June 23, 2009. The most recent inspection, on August 24, 2026, found no infractions.

17 of 37 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 15 times across 13 separate inspections, most recently on February 17, 2026. For example: 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities

  • 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 9 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on January 29, 2020. For example: 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used ...

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on February 19, 2025. For example: 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized

  • 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 once on September 6, 2022. For example: 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on March 20, 2018. For example: 3100 - Proper labeling, signage

About this data

These results come from Public Health – Seattle & King County, 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.

37 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  2. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  3. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  4. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
      • BLUE
  5. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  6. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  7. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 1300 - Food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized; no cross contamination
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
  9. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  10. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used ...
      • RED
  11. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
  12. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
  13. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
  14. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 3100 - Proper labeling, signage
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  15. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 4700 - Garbage, refuse properly disposed; facilities...
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
  16. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
  17. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  18. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  19. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  20. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  21. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  22. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  23. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  24. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  25. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  26. Return Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  27. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  28. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
  29. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  30. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  31. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  32. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  33. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  34. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  35. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  36. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  37. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

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