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MERIT VEGGIE PLACE

11022 LOWER AZUSA RD, EL MONTE, CA 91732 · RESTAURANT (0-30) SEATS HIGH RISK

Inspection summary

MERIT VEGGIE PLACE has been inspected 3 times by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division since April 3, 2024. The most recent inspection, on March 18, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

None of the 3 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 2026. For example: NO INSECTS, RODENTS, BIRDS OR ANIMALS PRESENT

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 8, 2025. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS AND HAIR RESTRAINTS

  • 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 18, 2026. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED & HONESTLY PRESENTED

  • 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 once on April 3, 2024. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS

  • 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 once on April 3, 2024. For example: FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED

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.

3 inspections

  1. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    4 infractions

    • F134: NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 1 point
    • F133: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED & HONESTLY PRESENTED
      • 1 point
    • F124: NO INSECTS, RODENTS, BIRDS OR ANIMALS PRESENT
      • 2 points
    • F145: FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED AND CLEAN
      • 1 point
  2. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    4 infractions

    • F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
      • 1 point
    • F052: # 01B. FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
      • 2 points
    • F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
      • 1 point
    • F025: # 25. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS AND HAIR RESTRAINTS
      • 1 point
  3. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    14 infractions

    • F036: # 36. EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS AND LINENS: STORAGE AND USE
      • 1 point
    • F046: # 46. SIGNS POSTED; LAST INSPECTION REPORT AVAILABLE
      • 1 point
    • F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
      • 1 point
    • F025: # 25. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS AND HAIR RESTRAINTS
      • 1 point
    • F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
      • 1 point
    • F050: # 51. PERMIT SUSPENSION
    • F009: # 09. PROPER COOLING METHODS
      • 2 points
    • F053: # 21A. HOT WATER AVAILABLE
      • 2 points
    • F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
      • 1 point
    • F043: # 43. PREMISES; PERSONAL/CLEANING ITEMS; VERMIN-PROOFING
      • 1 point
    • F023: # 23. NO RODENTS, INSECTS, BIRDS, OR ANIMALS
      • 11 points
    • F037: # 37. ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS, USE
      • 1 point
    • F040: # 40. PLUMBING: PLUMBING IN GOOD REPAIR, PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 1 point
    • F014: # 14. FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
      • 4 points

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