Richland County restaurant inspections: critical violations

The following restaurant inspections with critical violations were conducted by Richland Public Health between Dec. 29 and Jan. 3:

● V&M Restaurant, 275 E. Main St., Lexington, Dec. 29. Chlorine sanitizing solution at incorrect temperature and/or concentration (critical). Observed the dishwasher sanitizer concentration at 10 ppm. Facility has sanitizer tablets and test strips to use at the three compartment sink until dishwasher is repaired. Correct by Jan. 5.

● Denny's #9605, 720 N. Lexington Springmill Road, Mansfield, Dec. 29. Handwashing sink not accessible (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed metal trays sitting on and blocking access to hand sink. Single-use gloves used improperly (critical, corrected). Observed employee handle raw, frozen meat with gloved hands then transition to using utensils on griddle and grabbing ready-to-eat food (shredded cheese) without changing gloves. Education provided to employee regarding using single use gloves for only one task and discarding when soiled.

Equipment food-contact surfaces or utensils are unclean (critical, corrected). Observed scissors used to open food packages/items in kitchen area to contain visible residue build up. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected). Observed TCS foods in cold holding well along prep cooler to have internal temperatures of above 41 degrees. Person in charge (PIC) discarded shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, cooked vegetable medley, hollandaise sauce, Nashville hot sauce and one steak during inspection.

● McDonald's - Appleseed #13982, 1480 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, Dec. 29. Food employee(s) did not wash hands when required (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed employee adjusting beard net and then work with food without washing hands. Handwashing sink is being used for purposes other than handwashing (critical, corrected). Observed hand sink being used to wash scissors. Equipment food-contact surfaces or utensils are unclean (critical, corrected). Observed two serving spoons in the clean areas with visible food residue.

● Buckeye Express Diner, 810 Ohio 97 W., Bellville, Dec. 29. Improper bare-hand contact with RTE foods (critical, corrected during inspection). Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected). Observed an uncovered pan of fish inside the walk-in cooler. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected). Observed a pan of raw bacon on the shelf above lunch meat inside the make table cooler.

● Steve's Dakota Grill, 3101 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Dec. 30. Handwashing sink is being used for purposes other than handwashing (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed sanitizer bucket in the hand sink. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected). Observed uncovered chicken and Bloody Mary mix uncovered. Improper packaging of food using reduced oxygen packaging without a variance (critical, corrected). Observed no HACCP plan for reduced oxygen packaging. PIC discontinued practice until HACCP plan can be obtained.

Conducting a special process without a required variance (critical, corrected). Observed facility using reduced oxygen packaging on site for cooked prime rib without required variance from Ohio Department of Health. Prime rib was in packaging less than 24 hours. PIC opened the packaging to allow air flow into the product. PIC discontinued practice until further guidance and variance can be obtained. Insufficient air gap between the flood rim and the water supply inlet (critical, corrected). Observed insufficient air gaps at the bar and the bulk ice machine.

● AMVETS Post #26 - Home Building Co., 1100 W. 4th St., Mansfield, Dec. 30. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed an opened bag of diced chicken without a date mark. PIC voluntarily discarded chicken. Ready-to-eat, TCS food not properly discarded when required (critical repeat, corrected). Observed hard boiled eggs, sliced ham, grilled chicken and hot dogs that were past their seven day use by date. PIC voluntarily discarded products at the time of inspection.

● Newswanger Meats, 1585 Ohio 603, Shiloh, Dec. 30. Handwashing sink is being used for purposes other than handwashing (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed rag in the hand sink.

● Tacos & Margaritas, 288 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, Jan. 3. Unnecessary persons in the operation (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed child in the beverage preparation area. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected). Observed missing lids on bottle in the drink station and open ice bins. Improper use of a poisonous or toxic substance (critical, corrected). Observed Raid and mouse trap boxes in the facility not being applied by licensed pest control. No evidence of pest issue at time of inspection. PIC had both traps and raid removed from facility.

Improper storage of poisonous or toxic materials (critical, corrected). Observed spray bottle of cleaner sitting in tub with ketchup bottle. Missing and/or incomplete allergen declaration(s) (critical, corrected). Observed spoon candy without proper labeling for allergens. PIC removed candy from sale until proper allergen statement labels can be located.

● Buffalo Wild Wings, 949 N. Lexington Springmill Road, Ontario, Jan. 3. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical repeat, corrected during inspection). Observed pan of cut celery in front of servers window uncovered/unprotected. Chemical sanitizer other than chlorine, iodine, or a quaternary ammonium applied improperly (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed sink and surface sanitizer solution at in three-compartment sink at bar are to be under strength at time of inspection.

● Circle K #4705374, 2094 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Jan. 3. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed packages of raw bacon stored next to chip dip and above protein drinks in walk-in beverage cooler. Improper storage of poisonous or toxic materials (critical, corrected). Observed spray bottles stored hanging on shelf above Little Debbie products in retail area and motor oil stored amongst good and medicine on shelf in back storage area.

For full inspection details, visit healthspace.com/Clients/Ohio/Richland/web.nsf.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County restaurant inspections: Dec. 29-Jan. 3