Clinton County restaurant inspections: Improper food storage, not-so-hot gyro meat
ST. JOHNS — When county health inspectors visit local restaurants, they document problems that need addressing to meet county health codes.
The most serious problems are considered priority violations, which present potential health hazards and should be corrected immediately. Priority foundation violations do not present immediate health hazards but should be corrected in a timely manner. Consequently, follow-up inspections and reports may be generated.
In most cases, violations are corrected, and this information isn't an indication that violations at any establishment are an ongoing issue.
The State Journal obtained some of the reports through a public records request. Here are the most serious violations in Clinton County for the month of December:
Domino's Pizza, 101 N. Clinton Ave., in St. Johns
Violation: Priority Foundation
Inspection Date: Dec. 6
Inspection Type: Risk Based Inspection - Routine
Problem: No sanitizer test strips
Comments: "At the time of the inspection there were no sanitizer test strips that were available to monitor the QUAT sanitizer concentrations. Improper sanitizing can allow for potentially dangerous pathogens to survive on food contact and equipment surfaces."
Corrective Action: "Provide sanitizer test strips for the used QUAT sanitizer within the facility. This issue shall be corrected within 10 days. A follow-up will be conducted by this department."
Pita Way, 13070 Old U.S. 27, in DeWitt
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 7
Inspection Type: Risk Based inspection - Routine
Problem: Gyro meat on roasting stick wasn't heated to 135 degrees Farenheit
Comments: "During today's evaluation this department observed improper hot holding of time/temperature controls for safety foods (TCS). Specifically, the gyro meat that was on the roasting stick was observed to be hot held at 88 F. Improper hot holding may increase the risk of foodborne illness due to the rapid growth of harmful bacteria.
Corrective Action: "Violation corrected today by voluntarily discarding the item listed above. Facility has increased the temperature of the equipment in question."
Pita Way, 13070 Old U.S. 27, in DeWitt
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 7
Inspection Type: Risk Based inspection - Routine
Problem: Food not being heated to at least 135 degrees Farenheit
Comments: "During today's evaluation this department observed improper hot holding of time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS). Specifically, the Gyro meat that was on the roasting stick was observed to be hot held at 88 F. Improper hot holding may increase the risk of foodborne illness due to the rapid growth of harmful bacteria."
Corrective Action: "Violation corrected today by voluntarily discarding the item listed above. Facility has increased the temperature of the equipment in question."
Main Street Cafe, 205 N. Clinton Ave., in St. Johns
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 8
Inspection Type: Risk Based Inspection - Routine
Problem: Food storage happening at more than 41 degrees Farenheit
Comments: "During today's evaluation this department observed improper cold holding of time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS). Specifically, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Tuna Salad and various other items were observed to be stored in the Reach in Prep Cooler at a temperature of 45-57 F. Improper cold holding may increase the risk of foodborne illness due to the rapid growth of harmful bacteria."
Corrective Action: "Per the PIC all of the TCS food items were placed in the cooler at 9 a.m. from the walk-in cooler, which was observed to be holding TCS foods at 38 F. The facility was able to remove the TCS food items to the walk-in cooler, where they were cooled to below 41 F within 1 hour. The facility has reduced the temperature of the equipment in question. By the time of the end of the inspection at 12:30 p.m., the cooler was now holding TCS foods below 41 F. Continue to monitor this equipment to ensure that it will hold all TCS foods at 41 F and lower at all times during the operation. At this time this violation is considered as corrected."
Main Street Cafe, 205 N. Clinton Ave., in St. Johns
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 8
Inspection Type: Risk Based Inspection - Routine
Problem: Using a cup to scoop ice
Comments: "At the time of the inspection it was noted that an employee at the wait station was observed using the cup to scoop the ice out of the ice holding bin. Potential contamination can occur to the ice if an improper item is used to scoop the ice. This potential contamination may include potentially dangerous pathogens, that may cause food-borne illnesses."
Corrective Action: "At the time of the inspection this violation was corrected by discussion with the PIC and the employee, that a cup does not have the adequate handle as required to prevent bare hand contact of RTE foods or the ice."
St. Johns Brewing Co, 200 N. Clinton Ave., in St. Johns
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 8
Inspection Type: Risk Based inspection - Routine
Problem: Foods not stored at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less
Comments: "During today's evaluation this department observed improper cold holding of time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS). Specifically, Cajun Sauce and Alabama Sauce were observed to be stored in the Small Reach in Cooler at the end of the bar at a temperature of 45-57 F. Improper cold holding may increase the risk of foodborne illness due to the rapid growth of harmful bacterial."
Corrective Action: "The sauces that had been located in the cooler for over 4 hours were voluntarily discarded. Any sauces in the cooler less than 4 hours were re-located to the reach-in cooler which is holding food at 38 F. The facility has reduced the temperature of the equipment in question. Until this equipment can always hold TCS foods below 41 F during the operation it should not be used to store TCS foods. Continue to monitor this equipment to ensure that it will hold all TCS foods at 41 F and lower at all times during the operation. At this time this violation is considered as corrected."
Clinton County Senior Center, 201 E. Walker St., in St. Johns
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 11
Inspection Type: Risk Based Inspection - Routine
Problem: Food assembled in a home kitchen
Comments: "At the time of the inspection it was noted that the Senior Lunch for the day was Chicken Enchiladas, in which the chicken was cooked and the enchiladas assembled in a home kitchen. All food that is served within the licensed food establishment is to be prepared in a licensed food establishment. Food should be purchased from commercial supplies under regulatory control. Home kitchens, with their varieties of food and open entry to humans and pet animals, are frequently implicated in the microbial contamination of food."
Corrective Action: "At the time of the inspection the enchiladas were removed from the menu and removed from the establishment for the Monday lunch. Ensure that all food supplied is prepared within either the licensed food establishment or another regulated food supplier. At this time this violation is considered as resolved and corrected."
Burger King, 918 S. U.S. 27, in St. Johns
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 14
Inspection Type: Risk Based Inspection - Routine
Problem: Using a cup to scoop ice
Comments: "At the time of the inspection it was noted that an employee at drive-thru window was observed using the cup to scoop the ice out of the ice holding bin. Potential contamination can occur to the ice from hands or an improper item is used to scoop the ice. This potential contamination may include potentially dangerous pathogens, that may cause food borne illnesses."
Corrective Action: "At the time of the inspection this violation was corrected by discussion with the PIC and the employee, that a cup does not have the adequate handle as required to prevent bare hand contact of RTE foods or the ice. This violation is considered as corrected at this time."
Burger King, 13135 Old U.S. 27, in DeWitt
Violation: Priority Foundation
Inspection Date: Dec. 14
Inspection Type: Risk Based inspection - Routine
Problem: Food found in sandwich condiment line without proper time marking
Comment: "At the time of the inspection it was noted that there was items that are held under Time as a Public Health Control Policy within the facility that are not being properly monitored and properly marked as required. Specifically food was found in the sandwich condiment line without proper time marking, including lettuce and tomatoes, and sliced cheese. Improperly held TCS food, if not following the required written procedure, will allow cold TCS food to be held without proper time and temperature controls to sit in the temperature danger zone for more than 4 hours which could allow for the growth of potentially dangerous pathogens to reproduce to dangerous levels that can cause foodborne illnesses."
Corrective Action: "At the time of the inspection this issue was discussed with the PIC and the facilities approved Time as a Public Health Control Policy was reviewed with the PIC. At the time of the inspection none of the food under the policy had been out for the maximum 4 hours and all TCS food under the Time as a Public Health Control policy were either voluntarily discarded or properly time marked in accordance with the written policy. At the time this issue had been corrected. Continue to ensure that all TCS foods under the facilities Time as a Public Health Control Policy are time marked as required to be used, sold or discarded within 4 hours."
Peppino's Pizza of DeWitt, 13177 Schavey Road, in DeWitt
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 18
Inspection Type: Risk Based inspection - Routine
Problem: Food should be chilled at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less
Comments: "During today's evaluation this department observed improper cold holding of time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS). Specifically, Ranch Dressing and Pizza Sauce were observed to be stored in the Reach in Sauce Cooler at a temperature of between 43-46 F. Improper cold holding may increase the risk of foodborne illness due to the rapid growth of harmful bacteria.
Corrective Action: "The facility voluntarily discarded the items listed on the menu above. To correct, the reach in sauce cooler in the kitchen must be either repaired/replaced to properly cold hold TCS foods. This shall be corrected within 10 days. A follow-up will be conducted by this department after that time."
Peppino's Pizza of DeWitt, 13177 Schavey Road, in DeWitt
Violation: Priority Foundation
Inspection Date: Dec. 18
Inspection Type: Risk Based inspection - Routine
Problem: Potentially hazardous food, date marking
Comments: "At the time of the inspection it was observed that there was improper date marking occurring on several products. Specifically ranch dressing and pizza sauce were not observed to be date marked within the Walk in cooler or the Reach in cooler. Improper date marking may increase the risk of foodborne illness due to the rapid growth of harmful bacteria."
Correction: "This violation was corrected by educating the PIC of the proper date-marking procedure. All terms that were noted to be improperly date-marked were corrected by re-dating with the proper use-by date.
Looking Glass Brewing Co., 115 N. Bridge St, in DeWitt
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 19
Inspection Type: Risk Based inspection - Routine
Problem: Food not properly reheated
Comments: "At the time of the inspection multiple items were noted in the Hot Holding unit on the prep line that were not reheated properly. Specifically Pulled pork, Brisket, Mac and Cheese Sauce, and Chili observed between 80-120 F in the hot holding unit on the Prep Line, after not reaching 165 F or higher before being pulled from the oven. Improper reheating of food products may increase the risk of foodborne illness due to the rapid growth of harmful bacteria."
Corrective Action: "Violation corrected today by educating PIC of the importance of proper reheating of cooked and cooled time/temperature control for safety foods. Since all the items were within 2 hours of being pulled from the cooler, all food items listed above were placed on the flat top or oven to reheat to over 165 F within 2 hours of removal from cooler, before replacing them in the holt holding unit, to be held a 135 F and above."
Looking Glass Brewing Co., 115 N. Bridge St, in DeWitt
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 19
Inspection Type: Risk Based inspection - Routine
Problem: Walk in Cooler
Comments: "During today's evaluation this department observed improper discarding of time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS). Specifically, Beer Cheese and a bottle of Memphis Sauce were observed to be stored in the walk-in cooler past the discard date of 12/16/23. Improper discarding of TCSF may increase the risk of foodborne illness due to the rapid growth of harmful bacteria."
Corrective Action: "Violation corrected today by the facility voluntarily discarding the items listed above."
Pirate's Pub, 117 W. Main St., in Westphalia
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Dec. 20
Inspection Type: Risk Based inspection - Routine
Problem: Improper food storage
Comments: "During today's evaluation this department observed improper raw food stored over ready-to-eat food. Specifically, raw eggs were observed to be stored over lettuce and limes, lemons, and oranges. Improper storage of raw food over ready-to-eat foods may increase the risk of foodborne illness due to the increased risk of potential cross contamination."
Corrective Action: "Violation corrected today by re-organizing the items listed above so that all raw animal foods are stored below ready-to-eat food items and educating staff member on proper storage of raw food and ready to eat food."
Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Clinton County restaurant inspections: Improper food storage, not-so-hot gyro meat
