Greene County food inspections find items stored under sewer line, dead bugs in basement

Springfield-Greene County Health Department inspectors this week found that a Springfield sushi restaurant was storing supplies under a sewer line.

A Jan. 26 inspection at Kai, 306 S. Campbell Ave., uncovered single-serve items stored under an unshielded sewer line, "numerous dead insects in basement" and lack of a consumer advisory for raw or undercooked food on its menu. SGCHD officials advised the restaurant to shield the sewer line, clean and maintain the basement, and add the advisory to its menu.

Food inspections take place one to three times a year, depending on the type of food served, the population served, difficulty of food preparation and past history. Restaurants preparing food from raw ingredients are inspected more often "than convenience stores that serve only non-potentially hazardous foods, such as popcorn and soda," according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Issues found during inspection fall into either priority or non-priority violations. Priority violations impact the safety of the food, such as cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food, improper food temperature and poor personal hygiene and employee health. Multiple priority violations can lead to an establishment being shut down. Non-priority violations alone do not directly affect food safety, such as dirty floors, sticky tabletops or outside trash cans not being covered.

Here are more of the food inspections from this past week:

Last week:More than half of Greene Co. restaurants inspected had no priority violations this week

Archie's Italian Eatery, 1410 E. Republic Road, Springfield. Jan. 26 routine inspection – Result: Permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed bar cooler not holding potentially hazardous items (heavy cream at 44 degrees Fahrenheit) at or below 41 degrees. Education given and items voluntarily discarded. No non-priority violations.

Black Sheep @ Chesterfield Village, 2160 W. Chesterfield Blvd., Springfield. Jan. 27 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority items corrected: Both dish machines not at 50 parts per million chlorine. (Hot water temperature at hot water heater was lowered; the chlorine was burning off due to temperature being too high). No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed grease is beading on vent-hood frame. Clean more frequently to prevent build-up.

Burger King, 3009 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Jan. 30 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Four non-priority violations: 1. Observed walk-in freezer compressor is dripping when in defrost, creating a build-up of condensate on compressor lines and boxes below. Required: Equipment should be in good repair; do not store food below compressor until repaired. Box of hamburgers immediately moved and manager agrees to send documentation of repair. 2. Observed side of back door is not tight fitting from ground up to three-quarters of the door and frame. Required: Door should be tight fitting to prevent pest entry. 3. Observed floors beneath fryers have build-up of food debris and grease. Required: Clean more frequently to prevent build-up of grease and food debris. 4. Observed build-up of grease under fry station and on hot-hold unit shelf above make line. Required: Clean more frequently to prevent build-up of grease and debris.

China King of Springfield, LLC, 2123 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Jan. 27 inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: 1. Observed prep cooler cutting board is scored. Required: Replace or resurface so surface is smooth and easily cleanable. 2. Observed build-up of flour, grease or food debris on outside of bulk food containers and shelves. Required: Clean as often as necessary to keep clean.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store No. 127, 1858 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Jan. 31 complaint inspection – Result: active. No violations cited related to the complaint. No violations observed at time of inspection.

Fast-N-Friendly No. 16, 501 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. Feb. 1 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Three priority violations: 1. Observed seven barbecue beef sandwiches tested at 123 degrees and four chicken sandwiches tested at 105 degrees. Multiple bulbs in hot holding unit were out. Required: All food items being hot held at 135 degrees or above. Corrective action: All hot held items that tested out were voluntarily discarded. Re-inspection scheduled for hot holding violation. 2. Observed open container of barbecue beef without a date marking. Required: Food items held past 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate when the item shall be sold, consumed or discarded. 3. Observed sanitizer tested above 200 ppm. Required: Follow manufacturer labels to create sanitizer solution that tests within 50 ppm to 100 ppm. No non-priority violations.

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Greene County Damaged Freight and Food Sales Inc., 3055 W. Kearney St., Springfield. Jan. 31 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed around edge of warehouse floor and fans inside walk-in refrigerator were dirty; observed several bags of ice bagged on premises lacked name of phone number of manufacturer.

Houlihan's North, 2431 Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Jan. 31 routine inspection – Result: active. Six priority violations: 1. Observed employee in dish-washing area eating while doing dishes and storing employee food and drink above plates. Education given. 2. Observed can opener not found clean. Food pans found containing sticker residues, cracks and chips. Education given. 3. Observed chipped and cracked knives, several with melted handles. Education given. 4. Observed numerous ready-to-eat foods not labeled or labeled with multiple conflicting dates. Education given. Items voluntarily discarded. 5. Observed raw chicken being held over ready-to-eat foods. Education given. 6. Observed dishwashing machine sanitizer was empty. Education given, chemical replaced. Five non-priority violations: 1. Observed several hand sinks did not have hand soap available. Education given. 2. Observed several handwashing sinks did not have paper towels or any other appropriate means of drying hands available. Education given. 3. Observed handwashing sink in dish area being used to hold items. Education given. 4. Observed several employees not wearing hair or beard restraints in food preparation area. Education given. 5. Observed no quat sanitizing strips available to test sanitizer strength in buckets. Education given.

Jordan's Inn Chinese Restaurant, 423 E. Old Route 66, Strafford. Jan. 26 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed kitchen ceiling vent and back storage room having accumulation of debris, required to clean physical facilities as often to keep them clean; observed daylight shining through bottom frame of back exterior door; observed absence of thin-probed food thermometer.

Kai, 306 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Jan. 26 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Discussed: 1. Regularly cleaning out prep drawers. 2. Proper storage of wet wiping clothes. 3. Proper storage of in use utensils. 4. Exposing of expired foods. 5. Written Policy for Time Control. 6. Honestly Presenting Fish. Three priority violations: 1. Observed dinner and lunch menu missing consumer advisory. Required: Consumer advisory is required when serving raw or undercooked animal foods. 2. Observed noodles cooked yesterday at 43 to 45 degrees in coolers. Required: Prepared foods are to be cooled to 41 degrees and below within six hours. 3. Observed numerous potentially hazardous foods not held at or below 41 degrees in coolers. Required: All potentially hazardous foods are required to be cold held at 41 degrees or below. Four non-priority violations: 1. Observed boxes of single-serve items stored under sewer lines. Required: Boxes of single-serve items stored under sewer lines require proper shielding of sewer line. 2. Boxes of single-serve items were stored less than 6 inches off the floor. Required: Boxes of single-serve items are to be stored at minimum 6 inches off the floor. 3. Observed numerous dead insects in basement. Required: Routine cleaning to prevent accumulation of dead insects that may attract live pests. 4. Observed no statement from supply source that fish were raised and fed as stated in food code. Required: Statements from supplies are to be retained for 90 days.

Kum & Go No. 1470, 1810 E. Kearney St., Springfield. Jan. 31 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed live pests in cabinet under the frosty machines. Staff placed pest control work order and follow-up will be conducted.

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Popeye's No. 779 - HZ Ops Holdings Inc., 1231 W. Kearney St., Springfield. Jan. 31 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed potentially hazardous foods not being held at 41 degrees or below (blackened ranch at 53 degrees). Education given and items voluntarily discarded. Five non-priority violations: 1. Observed employees not wearing hair restraint on head or beard. Education given and corrected on site. 2. Observed employee having long artificial nails working in food preparation area. Education given. 3. Observed hand sink did not have hand soap. Education given and corrected on site. 4. Observed handwashing sink by drive-thru window did not reach 100 degrees during time of inspection. Education given. 5. Observed handles to walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer not found clean. Education given.

Primas East, 3662 S. Glenstone Outer Road, Springfield. Jan. 27 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed potentially hazardous foods not being kept at 41 degrees or below (chicken at 44 degrees, chorizo at 44 degrees). Education given and chicken at 46 degrees voluntarily discarded. One non-priority violation: Observed quat solution too weak. Required to be in range of 150 to 400 ppm.

Rib Crib, 2922 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Jan. 26 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Rogersville Area Senior Center, 197 S. Marshall St., Rogersville. Jan. 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Salvation Army Kitchen, 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. Jan. 26 re-inspection – Result: active. There was no sign of mice and actions have been taken to minimize mice. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Seoul Oriental Market, 3165 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Jan. 30 re-inspection – Result: active. Violations corrected: a new door sweep is installed on back door and door is now tight-fitting; a hand sink has been installed in the three-vat sink area for hand washing prior to re-packaging and during; test strips are available to test the sanitizer solution; all retail items are stored 6 inches off floor. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Star Mart, 3905 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. Jan. 26 re-inspection – Result: active. The spigot at three vat sink had been reattached and ice cream freezer had been defrosted. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Subway, 2721 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. Jan. 31 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed quaternary ammonia at three-vat sink was less than 100 ppm. Corrected by adding sanitizer to sink. Two non-priority violations: Observed small containers and lids being stored under hand sink; observed caulking behind three-vat sink in poor repair.

Subway, 2734 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. Jan. 31 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed during the inspection.

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The Healthy Habit, 1323 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Jan. 26 routine inspection – Result: active. Discussed: 1. Storing wet mops correctly to allow mop to air dry. 2. Wearing hairnets when preparing items other than drinks. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: 1. Observed ice scoop handle touching ice. Required: Ice scoop handles to be stored above or not touching ice. 2. Observed box of single-use items stored on floor. Required: All boxes of single-use items are to be stored minimum of 6 inches off ground.

Triple Eights, 1710 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. Jan. 27 re-inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Items corrected from routine inspection: 1. Non-food contact surfaces have been cleaned. 2. Raw animal foods are stored correctly in walk-in cooler, not over any ready-to-eat foods and in correct order. 3. Outside walk-in cooler is now below 41 degrees as required. 4. Employees are washing hands properly. 5. Standard operating procedure is in place for cooling fried chicken and chicken will be cooled on sheet or shallow pans on top shelf of inside walk-in cooler. Two priority violations: 1. Observed person in charge was able to answer some food safety questions, however training is still needed. Person in charge agrees to have one front-of-house and one back-of-house manager trained, owners agreed to take a course as well. When owners are absent, there should always be a designated person in charge that knows food safety. 2. Observed shed had been cleaned out and newly built shelves are now located on the bottom to keep items 6 inches off the floor and there is plywood sheets in place to prevent pest entry. However, a few droppings were still observed. Required: Contact pest control company to help eliminate, staff should keep unit clean. No non-priority violations.

Triple Eights, 1710 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. Jan. 31 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority items corrected - three employees have taken a food safety training course and have food safety knowledge; there was no evidence of droppings in the storage shed, all items in the storage unit are six inches off the floor to help prevent contamination from occurring and owner has pest control scheduled for Feb. 1. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Wendy's No. 01, 225 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. Feb. 1 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations found: 1. Observed quaternary sanitizer solution tested at 0 ppm. Bag not connected to dispenser. No sanitizer on site. Required: Quaternary sanitizer solutions shall be 200 to 400 ppm. 2. Observed Frosty machine holding at 44 degrees. Temperatures logs were referenced, no temps taken at time of inspection. Person in charge stated machine was filled at 6 a.m. Required: Food items being cold held shall be held at 41 degrees or lower. Correction action: Voluntarily discarded out-of-temp chocolate Frosty mix. Person in charge will contact maintenance to have machine fixed. Re-inspection will take place. Two non-priority violations: 1. Observed three bins of expired tomatoes in cooler. Required: All food items past expiration date shall be discarded. Correction action: Three bins of tomato slices that were expired were voluntarily discarded and education provided. 2. Observed employee handwashing sink tested at 92 degrees after three minutes of running. Required: Employee hand wash station shall have water 100 degrees or higher. Corrected on site: Employee hand wash sink tested above 100 degrees at end of inspection. Person in charge agreed to have booster or work done to achieve access to hot water at quicker rate.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield-Greene County restaurant inspections week ending Feb. 2