Hand-washing issues and 24 violations: Peoria food inspections for January 2024

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 during January. More than 40 routine inspections were completed for these categories.

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."

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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 January inspections

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Establishments that received warning comments during routine January inspections

Tawa Kitchen at 816 W. Pioneer Parkway, Peoria, received four priority, seven priority foundation and 13 core violations. These included:

• None of the "cooked product within establishment is marked with a use-by date." According to the health department, "Food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours must be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food must be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of 41°F or less for a maximum of 7 days."

• The health department found a hand sink in the kitchen did not have liquid soap. Along with this, hand sinks in the kitchen and men's restroom did not have paper towels.

• Multiple employees "handled food without washing hands while preparing product."

• The health department observed that the inside "of all microwaves are heavily soiled."

• Butter was discarded after the health department found it was "not maintained at 41°F, or less."

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Follow up on December warning comments

JR's Kitchen at 1024 Main St., Peoria, received four core violations on Dec. 5, 2023. A follow-up inspection on the same day noted: "The establishment has yet to provide an onsite person in charge with the required CFPM and Allergen certifications."

During a foodborne illness investigation on Dec. 20, 2023, the health department commented that a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) was present but the establishment still needed allergen training. Comments regarding the foodborne illness investigation recommended "closing this complaint."

Popeyes 838 at 2245 Glen Ave., Peoria, received three priority foundation and 10 core violations on Dec. 21, 2023. Violations included handwashing sinks not providing hot enough water, plumbing issues, a "heavily soiled" microwave interior and more.

During a follow up on Jan. 4, comments noted: "This establishment’s license has been suspended and the operator/owner has agreed to voluntarily close until such time as violations noted have been corrected and an inspection for re-open has been conducted by this Department." The men's restroom sink was "not operational," and a separate handwashing sink did not provide hot enough water.

The hot water issue was resolved, and Popeyes 838 had its license reinstated on Jan. 10. A follow up on Jan. 23 found one priority and five core violations. Comments noted: "This is considered appropriate improvement and no further follow up is needed in regards to the original violations."

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for January