Loveland Butcher Shop Cited for Food Safety Violations, Re-Inspection Required
Carniceria Las Delicias 4, a Hispanic butcher shop and grocery store in Loveland, received a failing health inspection score of 80 points and must undergo re-inspection after health officials found multiple food safety violations on September 18, 2025.
The establishment at 1421 Cleveland Ave was cited for eight violations, including improper sanitizer concentrations, cross-contamination issues, and inadequate food labeling that could pose risks to customers with allergies.
Health inspectors found the sanitizer solution used to clean the lunch meat slicer contained only 10 parts per million of chlorine, significantly below the required 50-200 ppm range needed to effectively kill harmful bacteria. The person in charge incorrectly believed 10 ppm was adequate, prompting inspectors to provide immediate education on proper sanitization procedures.
The store was also cited for storing raw chicharrones above ready-to-eat lunch meats in refrigerated display cases, creating potential for cross-contamination. Inspectors required staff to rearrange the refrigerator during the inspection to separate raw and ready-to-eat products.
Several food labeling violations posed particular concern for customers with allergies. Inspectors found a bag of dried crickets labeled only in Spanish without English translation or allergen warnings. The product did not indicate that insects can trigger allergic reactions similar to shellfish. The crickets, valued at less than $10, were discarded during the inspection.
Additional labeling issues included unlabeled bags of carne seca and products from suppliers marked only in Arabic without required English labeling. Inspectors emphasized the importance of complete ingredient lists and allergen information, particularly for specialty items that may contain unexpected allergens.
Temperature control violations were identified with hot-held foods in the display case. Four burritos measured 128 degrees Fahrenheit, below the safe holding temperature, while chicharrones registered only 96 degrees. Staff explained they transport prepared foods from a Fort Collins commissary kitchen at 9 AM and discard unsold items at noon, but lacked written procedures for time-based food safety controls. All improperly held items were discarded during the inspection.
The butcher shop, which serves as an important cultural hub for Loveland's Latino community, also received violations for storing glass cleaner above single-use food packaging bags and maintaining damaged canned goods with severe dents that could allow bacterial contamination.
Inspectors noted the establishment requires a certified food protection manager on-site when slicing lunch meats, a requirement that took effect March 1, 2025. While staff confirmed they slice lunch meat for customers, no slicing was observed during the inspection, and proper certification documentation was not available for review.
Carniceria Las Delicias 4 operates daily from 8 AM to 8 PM and offers fresh meat cuts, Mexican grocery staples, and prepared foods popular with local Hispanic families. The store must correct all violations and pass re-inspection before returning to compliant status with Larimer County Health Department standards.
Under Larimer County's inspection scoring system, establishments receiving 50-109 points fall into the "Re-Inspection Required" category, indicating food safety violations were found that require follow-up to ensure basic standards are met. The business remains open while addressing the cited violations.