Eaton County restaurant inspections: No food thermometer, missing paper towels
CHARLOTTE — 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, followup 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.
Here are the most serious violations in Eaton County for the months of November and December:
Little Caesars Pizza, Elmwood Plaza, 4124 W. Saginaw Hwy., Delta Township
Violation: Priority foundation
Inspection Date: Nov. 1
Inspection Type: Routine
Problem: No probe food thermometer
Comments: "No probe food thermometer could be located at time of inspection. Ensure that at least one digital probe thermometer is available in the facility at all times to measure the internal temperatures of TCS foods. Purchase a new probe thermometer within 10 days. A followup will occur."
Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill, 940 Elmwood Road, Delta Township
Violation: Priority
Inspection Date: Nov. 1
Inspection Type: Enforcement
Problem: Potentially hazardous food
Comments: "The facility was observed with new probe thermometers sitting in food to monitor temps on the prep cooler. The prep cooler was working properly, but there are still no lids directly on the containers, nor any swing top lid overall for the cooler. No issues were observed with sauces sitting out at room temperature. A specific warmer has also been purchased just for cooked peppers, according to the PIC. More steps have been taken to ensure that temperatures are properly being held. Remaining issues with temperatures may now be looked at as improper cooling, such as having cold chickpea mash out for the process of becoming hummus, and then putting them in large plastic containers in the walk-in cooler and putting lids on them too quickly. For instance, hummus was found at 45 F in the walk-in. The PIC removed the lids from these as they were still in the cooling window. Further follow-up will occur. The PIC must have a swingtop lid for the prep cooler by 11/15/2023."
Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill, 940 Elmwood Road, Delta Township
Violation: Priority Foundation
Inspection Date: Nov. 1
Inspection Type: Enforcement
Problem: Person in charge
Comments: "The facility still does not have high heat test strips for checking the dish machine. The PIC stated he has tried purchasing some through GFS and Sysco, but they are out of stock and he is banned from Amazon. The PIC was asked to get someone to ensure the test strips can be purchased by time of next inspection set for 11/15/2023."
Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill, 940 Elmwood Road, Delta Township
Violation: Priority Foundation
Inspection Date: Nov. 1
Inspection Type: Enforcement
Problem: Assignment
Comments: "The PIC has adjusted hours to be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and then from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., for less days in the week. The PIC intends to be present for all hours of operation at this time. The PIC was present at time of follow up. CORRECTED."
Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill, 940 Elmwood Road, Delta Township
Violation: Priority Foundation
Inspection Date: Nov. 1
Inspection Type: Enforcement
Problem: Food items cooled improperly
Comments: "At the time of inspection, three large containers of hummus were found in the walk-in cooler around 45 F. The PIC stated the hummus had been made around two hours prior. Proper cooling has been verified with the hummus when it is first mashed from cooked chickpeas. These have been seen in past visits cooling on the top shelf, uncovered, in the walk-in cooler, in shallow metal pans. It is once the chickpeas come out to then be made into hummus where issues are being seen. Large, plastic containers with lids on them, two of the containers stacked on top of each other as well, all lead to insulation of heat and keeping foods in the danger zone. It was discussed with the PIC to utilize proper cooling methods, such as using shallow metal pans instead of large, plastic ones, and leaving cooling foods uncovered until they are properly out of the danger zone. The PIC unstacked and uncovered all of the hummus containers to let them cool down in the remaining timeframe. The PIC stated they had several more shallow metal pans in their storage containers out back, and it was agreed these will be used to cool items moving forward. This is seen as temporarily corrected. This will be looked at on 11/15/2023."
Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill, 940 Elmwood Road, Delta Township
Violation: Priority Foundation
Inspection Date: Nov. 1
Inspection Type: Enforcement
Problem: Sanitary hand drying provisions disposable, paper towels not provided
Comments: "The facility did not have any paper towel at their hand sink in the cook line/main prep area. Ensure all hand sinks are supplied with paper towel and soap at all times, and that they are left easily accessible at all times. Never store items in front of or directly in hand sinks, and do not use them to rinse dishes or dump food. This was discussed with the PIC, as was the option to move the paper towel and soap dispensers to the existing prep sink, and swapping their roles, if desired, though the existing prep sink is much larger than the hand sink and would make more sense remaining as is. This will be looked at for the facility follow-up on 11/15/2023."
Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill, 940 Elmwood Road, Delta Township
Violation: Priority Foundation
Inspection Date: Nov. 1
Inspection Type: Enforcement
Problem: Person in charge not ensuring compliance
Comments: "The facility still does not have any way to verify that the dish machine is hot enough. The HD plate simulator used by the inspector was showing various temperatures, with the highest being 159 F. Ensure the facility has some way to verify that the dish machine is properly sanitizing. The facility must purchase test strips for the dish machine by 11/15/2023. The PIC was asked to submit the last maintenance report from the supply company to the HD. A new dish machine may be required if this one is not able to reliably sanitize dishes. A followup will occur."
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Eaton County restaurant inspections for November, December
