Kava Neo Taverna in ROXBURY, MA Failed Its Health Inspection on 08/15/25

ROXBURY, MA - Kava Neo Taverna received citations for health code violations during an inspection on 08/15/2025.

Situated at 315 SHAWMUT AV, the establishment is part of Roxbury's active food service sector. The Roxbury area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.

The inspection identified 8 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.

The first violation related to pest prevention. Inspectors documented: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation Packaging and Segregation (P). The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces.

The second violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: (B) Cooling Methods (C). Health code violations require correction to maintain safe operating conditions.

The third violation related to thermal management. Inspectors documented: (A)(2) and (B) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P). The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus can produce toxins in improperly stored food that are not destroyed by reheating.

The fourth violation related to food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Pressure (Pf). Regulatory standards exist to minimize health risks to consumers.

The fifth violation concerned handwashing procedures. Inspectors documented: Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf). According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.

The sixth violation related to food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Prohibiting Animals (Pf). Health code violations require correction to maintain safe operating conditions.

The seventh violation involved cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C). FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.

The eighth violation involved food storage. Inspectors documented: Common Name-Working Containers (Pf). Improper storage can lead to cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods.

Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.

This inspection data is provided by Boston Public Health Commission. The establishment had violations identified during the 08/15/2025 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Boston Public Health Commission. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Massachusetts Food Code. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.