22 violations and food on the floor: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for November

The Peoria City/County Health Department conducts food inspections for a wide range of establishments in the area − from restaurants to long-term care facilities and schools. Inspections look for issues that could contribute to the spread of foodborne illness, as well as general cleanliness and maintenance of the establishment.

The Journal Star examined routine inspections for restaurants, mobile establishments and bars/taverns in Peoria County for November. From these categories, just over 90 inspections were completed.

The establishments listed below received either no violations or enough violations to warrant a warning from the health department.

Note: According to the Peoria City/County Health Department, "inspections only provide a snapshot of a food establishment's practices, as they are based on what is seen at the time of the inspection."

More: Leaking roof and unprotected food: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for August

Terminology used by the health department

• Core violation: These violations relate to "general sanitation, operational controls, sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), facilities or structures, equipment design, or general maintenance," according to the health department.

• Priority foundation violation: These violations could lead to priority violations if they are not corrected.

• Priority violation: These violations are considered the most high-risk by the health department, as they have the potential to directly contribute to foodborne illness.

Establishments with no violations during routine November inspections

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Establishments that received warning comments during routine November inspections

Dog Haus Biergarten at 4712 N. University St. Suite B, Peoria, received five priority, six priority foundation and 11 core violations. These included:

• Multiple handwashing sinks were blocked by various items, and one sink did not have paper towels.

• The health department found "food stored on floor in the walk cooler and freezer." According to the health department, food should be six inches above the ground and in a clean place which is safe from contamination.

• According to the health department, the person in charge of the establishment "is not a Certified Food Protection Manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program."

• The health department found onions sitting next to bottles of bleach. The health department noted that, "toxic materials must be stored so that they cannot contaminate food, equipment, utensils, linens or single-service articles."

Peoria food inspections: Follow-up food inspections for two businesses warned in August

Follow up on October warning comments

Hoops Pub and Pizza at 516 Main St., Peoria, received five priority, three priority foundation and nine core violations in October.

A follow up on Oct. 18 noted that "improvement in food safety sanitation standards (was) observed."

During the routine inspection on Oct. 4, the health department observed improper handwashing and an employee using their "bare hands to handle ready to eat" food. Neither issue was observed during the follow-up.

However, the establishment received two priority, two priority foundation and eight core violations. Mice droppings were again noted and found "on the floor on all three levels of the establishment" and dead roaches were observed. The health department also noted the "inside of soda gun is soiled with dust, dirt, food residue and other debris" and needed to be cleaned.

More: Live roach and mouse droppings: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for October

Subway at 3315 N. University St., Peoria, received a warning comment in October because of "an ongoing issue" with the person in charge not becoming a Certified Food Protection Manager.

In a follow up on Nov. 8, the health department noted that "The establishment has provided a CFPM."

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria health department food inspections for November 2023