Inspection
November- 2007

NORTH CAROLINA: Salmonella outbreak contained at Newton restaurant
30.nov.07
wbtv.com
http://www.wbtv.com/news/topstories/11977121.html
A Salmonella outbreak is contained in Newton tonight and the restaurant where it all started has been cleared to re-open.
But WBTV's Kristen Hampton talked to the owner today who says his doors will remain closed.
The story explains that there are two different businesses affected, one is a grocery shop the other is a restaurant. Both were closed by the salmonella outbreak and only the grocery will re-open.
Javier Chavez closed the restaurant down voluntarily on November 2, after dozens of people reported symptoms of salmonella.
The health department has confirmed that 44 people got the bacteria from eating at Chavez's restaurnat.
Now, more than three weeks after the outbreak, Chavez says he will not re-open dining room portion of his business.

BOSTON moves restaurant violations online
30.nov.07
The Daily Free Press
Jessica Lam Hill Young
http://media.www.dailyfreepress.com/media/storage/paper87/news/2007/
11/30/News/Boston.Moves.Restaurant.Violations.Online-3125469.shtml
The next time Boston visitors and residents look up restaurant reviews online, they would be wise to also check out the Mayor's Food Court, the city's newly launched database of area restaurants and their most recent food violations.
The database, managed by Boston Inspectional Services Department, provides consumers with the most recent restaurant inspection reports and ranks the violations with a three-star system.
The ratings range from non-critical violations such as a lack of paper towels to critical violations dealing with food-borne illnesses.
Nancy Lo, project manager for the ISD's digital conversion, was cited as saying that before the digitization of paper files, restaurant violation information could be outdated by three to four months, adding, "Now health inspectors have computer tablets that will upload real-time reports and specific comments online."
Food safety inspections at Boston restaurants are made at least once a year, unless there is a specific complaint about a restaurant, Lo said.

LONDON: Restaurants may have to display food safety scores
29.nov.07
Evening Standard
Katharine Barney
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23423709
details/Restaurants+may+have+to+display+food+safety+scores/article.do
All London, U.K. restaurants could, according to this story, be forced to display their food hygiene ratings under plans being discussed in Parliament.
Some boroughs are testing a scheme for rating food premises on cleanliness, with the findings kept on a website and displayed voluntarily by the outlet.
However, it was feared the worst premises would be the least likely to display the signs. Under the London Local Authorities Bill, it would be compulsory for food outlets to display ratings on a door or window.
The current Scores On The Doors scheme, promoted by the Food Standards Agency, uses a star system. Five stars indicate "very high standards of food safety management," while no stars suggests a "general failure" to meet food safety rules.
Last month it was revealed that

RHODE ISLAND: Investigation: Dirty dining follow-up
28.nov.07
Target 12
http://www.myfoxprovidence.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=5065464&version
=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
Providence -- New developments now following a Target 12 Investigation on food safety and dirty dining in Rhode Island.
Since the Target 12 Investigators announced that Rhode Island restaurant inspection reports are now online, more than 800,000 people have visited the health department's website. It's been a huge wake up call for some restaurants to clean up their act.
Just minutes after the Target 12 Investigators told you where to find your favorite restaurant's inspection report the states newest website was jamming.
Ernie Julian, Director of Food Protection for the Department of Health was quoted as saying, "I figured if we had 100-thousand views in a year that would be great. We ended up with more than 800,000 in 3 weeks."
With customers now armed with information never seen before, like where inspectors found cockroaches, mice or unsafe food temperatures, the Department of Food Protection is getting more calls then ever.
Ernie Julian says, "Internet complaints have gone up. We're getting more calls."
Some of the customers calling the states 24 hour hotline number reporting on dirty restaurants. Health inspectors follow up on all the calls.
Ernie Julian was quoted as saying,, "We want to know that and if a customer sees something that may be a problem we want them to call us."
Also since our Target 12 Investigation, more than 80 restaurants have expressed interest in the health departments Dine Safe program. It rewards restaurants that put food safety first. Restaurants can voluntarily hire a certified third party inspector who will inspect their facility twice a year.
Ernie Julian says, "The more establishments with dine safe awards. The more time we can spend on the problem places."
The health department really would like to see hundreds of restaurants sign up for the "Dine Safe" program. Although it costs a restaurant about one-thousand dollars a year, they feel that when it comes to food safety, it's money well spent.
If you want to report a dirty restaurant you can call the states 24 hour hotline.
Hotline Number: (401) 222-2749

MARLER BLOG: Rochester Minnesota Quiznos Salmonella outbreak tied to tomatoes
28.nov.07
Marler Blog
Bill Marler
http://www.marlerblog.com/2007/11/articles/legal-cases/rochester-minnesota
-quiznos-salmonella-outbreak-tied-to-tomatoes/index.html
On the same day it was announce that I settled the last of the Salmonella suits against Sheetz, the Post-Bulletin of Rochester reported that “Quizno's outbreak came from outside source.” The common denominator was Tomatoes.
A foodborne illness outbreak at Quizno's Subs, 3499 22nd Ave. N.W. in Rochester, wasn't the restaurant's fault. Larry Edmonson, an epidemiologist with Olmsted County Public Health, said studies showed that tomatoes delivered to the store were contaminated before they even got to the restaurant. Salmonella made more than 20 Quizno's customers and employees sick in October. The store closed for one day, hired a cleaning company to sterilze equipment and reopened.
In 1990, a reported 174 Salmonella javiana illnesses, as part of a four state outbreak, were linked to raw tomatoes. In 1993, 84 reported cases of Salmonella Montevideo were part of a three state outbreak that was linked to raw tomatoes. In January 1999, Salmonella Baildon was recovered from 86 infected persons in eight states. In July 2002, an outbreak of Salmonella javiana occurred associated with attendance at the 2002 U.S. Transplant Games held in Orlando, Florida during late June of that year. Ultimately, the outbreak investigation identified 141 ill persons in 32 states who attended the games.
During August and September 2002, a Salmonella Newport outbreak affected the East Coast. Ultimately, over 404 confirmed cases were identified, in over 22 states. Epidemiological analysis indicated that tomatoes were the most likely vehicle, and were traced back to the same tomato packing facility in the mid-Atlantic region.
In early July 2004, as many as 564 confirmed cases of salmonellosis associated with consumption of contaminated tomatoes purchased at Sheetz Convenience Store were reported in five states, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia. Seventy percent were associated with tomatoes in food prepared at Sheetz convenience stores.
In 2006 two outbreaks of Salmonella-tainted tomatoes where reported by the FDA. According to Ms. Murphy, the Food & Drug Administration is now investigating two tomato-related outbreaks, with the latest blamed for nearly 100 illnesses in 19 states. FDA was already tracing tomatoes involved in another outbreak involving 183 people in 21 states. Federal authorities said that fresh tomatoes contaminated with Salmonella typhimurium served in restaurants were the likely cause of that outbreak.

TEXAS: Restaurant reports
28.nov.07
Lubbock Online
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/112807/loc_112807057.shtml
Restaurant reports for the week ending Nov. 18:
NO CRITICAL VIOLATIONS
& Bakery, 3501 50th St.
• Heritage Oaks Nursing & Rehab Center, 5301 University Ave.
• Ice Cream Shoppe, 2705 26th St.
• Jumbo Joe's No. 2, 3218 34th St.
• Market Street No. 543 (Taste of Market Street), 4205 98th St.
• One Stop, 301 N. University Ave.
• Rocky LaRues (Restaurant), 2420 Broadway Ave.
• Sonic Drive In, 1901 34th St.
• Starbucks Coffee Co., 801 University Ave.
• United Supermarkets No. 551 (Bakery), 8010 Frankford Ave.
• United Supermarkets No. 551 (Coffee Shop), 8010 Frankford Ave.
• United Supermarkets No. 551 (Meat/Fish), 8010 Frankford Ave.
ONE CRITICAL VIOLATION
• Fast Eddies (Restaurant), 7301 University Ave. - food contact surfaces found soiled. Corrected at inspection.
• French Quarter Bistro, 1636 13th St. - toxic items stored improperly. Corrected at inspection.
• Lubbock Health Care Center, 4120 22nd Place - food contact surfaces found soiled. Corrected at inspection.
• Rocky LaRues (Bar), 2420 Broadway Ave. - food contact surfaces found soiled. Corrected at inspection.
• Skooner's Grill & Bar (Bar), 1617 University Ave. - food contact surfaces found soiled. Corrected at inspection.
• Baker Bro, 5106 Slide Road - food containers in unsound condition. Corrected at inspection.
• Boss Office Bar (Restaurant), 518 E. 34th St. - good hygienic practices not followed. Corrected at inspection.
TWO OR MORE CRITICAL VIOLATIONS
• Barnes & Noble Booksellers, IM, 6707 Slide Road - no certified food manager and no tip-sensor thermometer. To be corrected by Nov. 26.
• Chances 'R', 5610 S. Frankford Ave. - good hygienic practices not followed and food contact surfaces found soiled. Corrected at inspection.
• Jumbo Joe's No. 3, 1520 Ave. Q - good hygienic practices not followed and food contact surfaces found soiled. Corrected at inspection.
• McAlister's Deli, 2415 19th St. - cold hold food items kept at improper temperature and inadequate hand wash facilities. Corrected at inspection.
• Taqueria Y Tortilleria El Diamante, 313 N. Detroit Ave. - cold hold food items kept at improper temperature. Corrected at inspection. Also, no certified food manager. To be corrected in 30 days.
• McDonald's, 6511 82nd St. - inadequate hand wash facilities and no thermometer in cooling unit. Corrected at inspection. Also, no Heimlich chart. To be corrected by next inspection.
• United Supermarkets No. 551 (Deli), 8010 Frankford Ave. - improper cooling for cooked foods and cold hold food items kept at improper temperature. Corrected at inspection.
• Angela's Cafe, 2705 26th St. - cold hold food items kept at improper temperature and observed inadequate employee hand washing. Corrected at inspection. Also, no certified food manager. To be corrected in 30 days.
• Skooner's Grill & Bar (Restaurant), 1617 University Ave. - cold hold food items kept at improper temperature and mechanical dish washer inadequately dispensing sanitizer. Corrected at inspection. Also, inadequate water supply. To be corrected by next inspection.
• Wendy's, 5729 Fourth St. - cold hold food items kept at improper temperature and improper date-marking system. Corrected at inspection. Also, food contact surfaces found soiled. To be corrected by next inspection.
• Bingo Express, 3601 N. Loop 289 - hot hold food items kept at improper temperature and improper rapid reheating. Corrected at inspection. Also, no certified food manager. To be corrected by next inspection.
• Quizno's, 7301 University Ave. - cold hold food items kept at improper temperature. To be corrected by next inspection. Also, no certified food manager and no tip-sensor thermometer. To be corrected by Dec. 13. Also, food contact surfaces found soiled. Corrected at inspection.
• Kwik Stop No. 3, 4719 58th St. - improper date-marking system and toxic items stored improperly. Corrected at inspection. Also, no certified food manager. To be corrected by Dec. 13. Also, no tip-sensor thermometer and food contact surfaces found soiled. To be corrected by Nov. 20.
• Villa Pizza, 6002 Slide Road - cold hold food items kept at improper temperature, observed possible cross-contamination, improper date-marking system, toxic items stored improperly and food contact surfaces found soiled. Corrected at inspection. Also, no certified food manager. To be corrected by Dec. 12.
Compiled from City of Lubbock Environmental Inspection Service

MINNESOTA: Quizno's outbreak came from outside source
27.nov.07
Post-Bulletin
http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=317074
Rochester, MN -- Larry Edmonson, an epidemiologist with Olmsted County Public Health, was cited as saying that a foodborne illness outbreak at Quizno's Subs, 3499 22nd Ave. N.W. in Rochester, wasn't the restaurant's fault, rather, studies showed that tomatoes delivered to the store were contaminated before they even got to the restaurant.
Salmonella made more than 20 Quizno's customers and employees sick in October. The store closed for one day, hired a cleaning company to sterilze equipment and reopened.

TENNESSEE controversy: Should public know about a restaurant's dirty past?
26.nov.07
HealthInspections.com
http://healthinspections.com/articles.cfm?YXJ0aWNsZUlEPTkw
How much should customers know about dirty restaurants?
That's a question creating controversy in Tennessee – pitting the city of Nashville against the state of Tennessee health department.
Jerry Rowland, who runs Nashville's restaurant inspections, believes that customers should know if a restaurant got a second chance to improve a bad grade.
So, when you walk into a restaurant in Nashville and look at the grade posted on the wall, you might read the words "FOLLOW-UP SCORE ADJUSTED."
This tells you that the restaurant's score was initially lower, but a follow-up inspection resulted in a higher score.
"I think customers should know. We're letting the public know that this is a follow-up score," Rowland told News Channel 5 in Nashville.
But, Hugh Atkins of the state department of health told the television station that state law prohibits what Nashville is doing.
"The law says that no mention of the previous score is to be put on the follow-up inspection score," Atkins told the television station.
He also says that a restaurants inspection history can't be posted on the state's website.
News Channel 5 in Nashville wondered why the state doesn't post a restaurant's complete inspection history online.
It showed examples of restaurants where the current score posted online could be misleading. For example, the trendy Palm restaurant received a score of 59 in August, but asked for a chance to clean up, and received a follow-up score of 95.
If you look online, you would think that the Palm simply got a good grade on a routine inspection. There's no mention that it was a follow-up inspection, requested by the restaurant as a second chance.
Hugh Atkins told the television station that if consumers want a restaurant's complete history, they can pull the file at the local health department.
But consumer advocates say that response is ridiculous because no one has time to do that.
Many health department websites that are accessible through Healthinspections.com provide inspection data for several years about each restaurant. For example, detailed data is available in New York, Florida, Kansas, and dozens of others.
In Tennessee, however, you will not get the full picture of a restaurant's cleanliness by looking online. If you want to see current inspection reports for Tennessee restaurants, enter "Tennessee" on our homepage here at Healthinspections.com

NEW JERSEY: Restaurant inspection report
26.nov.07
Newark Advocate
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/NEWS01/711260305/1002
Cottage Restaurant, 2710 W. High St., Newark, standard inspection, with violations. 1. Portable fans used for cooling need cleaned. 2. Area immediately outside hood needs cleaned. (Second notice) 3. Floor along walls and under equipment needs cleaned. 4. A light shield is needed on light in dry storage.
Licking Valley Elementary, 1510 Licking Valley Road, Newark, 30-day inspection, no violations.
River Road Coffee House and Cafe, 935 River Road, Granville, standard inspection, with violations. 1. Observed items on floor of dry storage area (upstairs). 2. Observed substance on floor of dry storage area. 3. Observed employees preparing food without proper hair control. (hair net or hat).
The Wine Cache, 925 River Road, Granville, standard inspection, no violations.
Kentucky Fried Chicken, 165 E. Broad St., Pataskala, standard inspection, with violations. 1. Observed milk with use-by date of Nov. 7, 2007. 2. Observed hood and both walk-in coolers in need of cleaning. 3. Floor near deep-fryer and underneath equipment observed with build-up of debris.
Nancy's Nutcracker Sweets, 63 E. Broad St., Pataskala, standard inspection, no violations.
Pete's Place, 14211 Broad St., Pataskala, standard inspection, with violations. 1. Observed raw steak above lunch meats in reach-in cooler near grill and ground beef above pepperoni in reach-in cooler. 2. Observed lunchmeats dated 8/22 and hamburger dated 3. Hood, vent, filters and wall behind grill observed in need of cleaning. 4. Shelves in dry storage area observed (unreadable). 5. Lights in kitchen and above 3-comp. sink observed not working.
Licking Heights South, 6623 Summit Road, Summit Station, standard inspection, no violations.
Hickory Farms No. 16118, 771 S. 30th St., Heath, standard inspection, with violation. 1. Do not overfill coolers.
Aladdin Restaurant, 122 E. Broadway, Granville, follow-up, no violations.
Bangkok City, 28 Park St., Buckeye Lake, follow-up, no violations.
The Barn Pub, 7467 Mount Vernon Road, St. Louisville, standard inspection, with violations. 1. GFS foam plates and pizza boxes stored on floor in old walk-in cooler. 2. The hand sink shall be equipped with soap and disposable towels.
Lowe's, 888 Hebron Road, Heath, standard inspection, no violations.
R.R. Donnelley Warehouse, 190 Milliken Drive, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations.
R.R. Donnelley breakroom, 190 Milliken Drive, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations.
R.R. Donnelley (Main), 190 Milliken Drive, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations.
Johnnies Villa Pizza, 105 W. Coshocton St., Johnstown, standard inspection, no violations.
JKB at Johnstown LLC, DBA McDonalds, 625 W. Coshocton St., Johnstown, standard inspection, with violation. 1. Observed employees preparing food without proper hair control (hat or hair net).
Horizon Petroleum, 10375 Worthington Road, Pataskala, complaint, no violations.
Kids' Space Inc., 1062 River Road, Granville, standard inspection, no violations.
Domino's, 18 N. Main St., Johnstown, standard inspection, no violations.
Freddie's Inn, 8352 Mount Vernon Road, St. Louisville, standard inspection, with violation. 1. Grease on wall and floor behind grill and fryers needs cleaned up.
Duchess Shoppe, 12 Columbus Road, Utica, standard inspection, with violation. 1. Some of the sandwiches in display case were past expiration date.
Lonsinger Pharmacy, 244 N. Main St., Utica, standard inspection, no violations.
Legend Marathon, 249 S. Main St., Utica, standard inspection, with violation. 1. No hot water to 3-compartment sink.
Nick's Pizza, 6 S. Sugar St., St. Louisville, standard inspection, with violation. 1. Pizza boxes are stored on floor.
Village Market, 8260 Mount Vernon Road, St. Louisville, standard inspection, no violations.
JR's Chicks and Hogs, 163 W. Coshocton St., Johnstown, pre-licensing, no violations.
Bombay Gardens, 842 30th St., Heath, standard inspection, with violations. 1. Preparation cooler behind counter was not cold enough. 2. Handles on equipment were not clean to the touch. 3. Water leak on prep sink and hand sink. 4. Wall behind grill needs cleaned. 5. Onions stored on floor in walk-in cooler.
Hampton Inn, 1008 Hebron Road, Heath, standard inspection, no violations.
Compiled from official reports.

EDMONTON: Complaints from public and auditor general prompt provincewide standards for restaurants, and plans to post inspection results online by next July
25.nov.07
The Edmonton Journal
p. A1
Karen Kleiss
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=b1c81f34-f532-423e-b1e9
-3ebfa40ab6e6&k=60940
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2007/11/articles/food-safety-communication/alberta-sets-provincewide-standards-for-restaurants-and-inspection-disclosure/index.html
EDMONTON - One year after a widespread outcry about Edmonton's restaurant inspection system, the number of compulsory closures is, according to this story, on the rise, health regions across the province have adopted minimum standards, and all Albertans can expect to have online access to inspection results by July 1.
Capital Health Authority spokesman Steve Buick, referring to lessons learned after last year's complaints by the public and provincial auditor general, was quoted as saying, "We think generally the system has served people well, but it needed upgrading in a few key respects, and certainly the disclosure issue is one of them. We get that the public wants to see more information. ... It needs to be more transparent, and it will be."
The story explains that a three-part Journal investigation, published in October 2006, revealed that other North American cities routinely shut down dirty restaurants, fine owners for repeated heath violations, or advise the public of kitchen safety by posting inspection results on front doors and the Internet.
In Edmonton, however, even repeated health violations did not always trigger written warnings or fines. Dirty restaurants were rarely closed, and the health authority seldom took owners to court. Inspection results were not easily available to the public.
Days after the Journal stories appeared, Alberta Auditor General Fred Dunn released a report that confirmed The Journal's findings and recommended change.
The story says that message for change has been taken quite seriously.
In Edmonton, the number of compulsory restaurant closures has risen 60 per cent, to 16 so far this year from 10 in 2006.
Buick was cited as saying the increase is due to more mandatory closure orders, and is not the result of more dirty restaurants, and that previously, restaurants could choose to close voluntarily in order to avoid the "stigma" of an order, adding, "That is really where the perception came from that our system was permissive in not closing very many places."
Health Minister Dave Hancock has ordered all Alberta health regions to develop a response, due at the end of this year, to the auditor general's recommendations. They have also been ordered to adopt uniform risk assessment and management standards.
Hancock wants all Alberta health regions to come up with a plan to make restaurant inspection reports available online.
A "safe food" working group, made up of the regions' environmental health directors, is working on that project.
The working group's minimum goal is to ensure that every Albertan can see online whether a restaurant has been cited for critical violations -- the kind most likely to make diners sick, such as hand-washing or food-storage infractions.
Once regions have met minimum standards of disclosure, they can choose to offer more information as they see fit.
Robert Bradbury, director of public health for the Calgary Health Region, was quoted as saying, "We will move as close to complete disclosure as we possibly can. It's all about choice. The more information the dining public has, the better prepared they are to make that choice."
Last year, The Journal put a searchable database of restaurant inspections on the edmontonjournal.com website. It received more than 500,000 hits.

CALIFORNIA: Norovirus confirmed after South Bay food poisoning incident
21.nov.07
NBC 11
http://www.nbc11.com/news/14660470/detail.html
Bob Kennedy, chief of Santa Cruz County Public Health, was cited as confirming that one of the 99 people suffering from an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness at an Aptos hotel has tested positive for Norovirus.
On Friday, the public health department issued an advisory regarding the outbreak of a foodborne illness at a restaurant in the Seascape Resort and Conference Center. Since the outbreak the health agency worked to contact more than 1,000 people who visited the hotel between Nov. 9 and 15.
The story says that the restaurant reopened Friday night after a thorough cleaning of all facilities and a complete review of procedures with 71 hotel and restaurant employees.
New policies have been put into place to help combat future outbreaks, including an hourly hand-washing cycle, illness checks at the beginning of each shift and a log of the checks to be reviewed by Santa Cruz County Public Health.

TENNESSEE: Restaurants repeatedly flunk with little penalty
21.nov.07
News Channel 5-Nashville, TN
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=7392850
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2007/11/articles/culture-of-food-safety/repeat-restaurant-offenders-open-by-breakfast/index.html
A NewsChannel 5 investigation was cited as finding that some of the Midstate's dirtiest restaurants get written up over and over, and consumer investigator Jennifer Kraus discovered no one seems to do much about those repeat offenders.
Hugh Atkins with the state Health Department was quoted as saying, "We don't allow an unsafe restaurant to remain open," and that if a restaurant is open, it's safe.
The story says that the investigation led to the Jade Dragon in Clarksville, one of the worst offenders around when it comes to dirty kitchens; in the last two years, the Jade Dragon has repeatedly failed its surprise inspections, getting scores as low as a 58, 52, even a 47.
The manager told us, "Everything's clean."
But despite what he told us, when he took us back into the kitchen, we saw what appeared to be many of the same violations the restaurant has been repeatedly cited for before.
The outside thermometer on the walk-in cooler wasn't working.
And inside the cooler, we found what longtime Metro health inspector Jerry Rowland said were serious problems that could make customers sick. Among them: trays of uncovered food, an open bucket of sweet and sour sauce sitting on the floor, and raw meat that was sitting in the same bin as uncooked vegetables.
Rowland told NewsChannel 5, these were health code violations, some of them even critical violations.
Rowland was further cited as saying that a leaky cooling unit that we saw dripping right down onto uncovered broccoli is what alarmed him the most, adding, "You never want a food stored under a condensation drain. Never."
But the restaurant remains open for business, though it has been shut down for these same sorts of health code violations in the past.
Atkins was further quoted as saying, "If we go back after that ten days and they have corrected all of the critical items that we have pointed out to them, there's no reason to take any further action because at that point, they're in compliance."
But our investigation found those same critical problems often show up again and again when inspectors come back.
And we discovered, this seems to happen at other problem restaurants too. In fact, it happens so often, health inspectors even have a name for it.
"See-saw -- the see-saw effect as we call it," Rowland says.
At the Jade Dragon in Clarksville, as we continued to point out what seemed to be violations to the manager, he asked, "Can we get everything stopped?" referring to our camera. He added, "I don't want to be on TV at all."
But Atkins says there is no problem, telling NewsChannel 5, "I am very confident in the program."
Ronnie Hart with the Tennessee Restaurant Association was quoted as saying, "The bottom line is fix the problem. You can't put a band-aid on it. Fix the problem," adding that his group has little patient for repeat offenders and is now pushing for mandatory food safety training.
The state now can only ask restaurant workers to attend these free classes, but Hart says requiring such classes might make a difference.

GEORGIA: Restaurant inspection scores released
19.nov.07
The Northeast Georgian
http://www.thenortheastgeorgian.com/articles/2007/11/20/news/business/03business.txt
Following are the food service inspections for Oct. 23-Nov. 1 by the Habersham County Health Department's Environmental Health Section. A score of 85 and above is considered passing. Food service establishments are required to post their score sheets in public so that customers can review them.
For more information about an inspection, contact the environmental health office at (706) 776-7659.
Oct. 23
Woodville Elementary School, 911 Old Historic Highway 441, Clarkesville. Score: 100; previous score: 100. Very clean! Great job.
North Habersham Middle School, 1500 Wall Bridge Road, Clarkesville. Score: 100; previous score: 100. Great job!!
Tallulah Falls School, Tallulah Falls. Score: 100; previous score: 100.
Tallulah Falls School Student Center, Tallulah Falls. Score 100; previous score: 100.
Oct. 24
Fairview Elementary School, 901 Fairview School Road, Demorest. Score: 100; previous score: 100. Dishwasher needs gasket replacements; it sprays water onto floor and surrounding area; school does take precautions not to cross-contaminate and to keep floor area dry.
North Habersham Sixth Grade Academy, Demorest. Score: 100; previous score: 100. Great job!
Oct. 25
South Habersham Middle School, 237 Old Athens Highway, Cornelia. Score: 100; previous score: 100. Nice and clean! Well maintained!
Oct. 26
Level Grove Elementary School, 2525 Level Grove Road, Cornelia. Score: 100; previous score: 100. Wonderfully clean!
South Habersham Sixth Grade Academy, 427 Cash St., Cornelia. Score: 100; previous score: 100. Very well maintained/clean kitchen!
Clarkesville Elementary School, 6539 State Highway 115 W., Clarkesville. Score: 100; previous score: 100.
Oct. 29
Ribeyes, 283 Highway 441 Business North, Cornelia. Score: 100.
Oct. 30
Habersham Head Start, 291 Light St., Baldwin. Score: 100; previous score: 98.
Cornelia Elementary, 140 Old Cleveland Road, Cornelia. Score: 100; previous score: 100.
Baldwin Elementary School, 894 Willingham Ave., Baldwin. Score: 100; previous score: 100.
Oct. 31
Habersham Central High School, 171 Raider Circle, Mt. Airy. Score: 100; previous score: 100.
Nov. 1
Sharkey's, 1406 N. Washington St., Clarkesville. Score: 83; previous score: 93.
Employees must not use tobacco products in kitchen area. Hold all cold potentially hazardous foods at 41 degrees or lower on sandwich line (sour cream at 51 degrees, egg wash at 55 degrees, guacamole at 57 degrees); have cooler repaired immediately. Items discarded and new items reinforced. Meat slicer must be thoroughly washed, rinsed, sanitized after use. Clean all gaskets/seals on cooler and freezer; replace cracked containers. Repair floor; replace tiles where needed. Must store employee items in a separate area. Seal all cracks under cabinets; clean corners thoroughly; use professional pest control program.

VIRGINIA: Restaurant watch: Nov. 15-Dec. 5, 2007
17.nov.07
Henrico Citizen
http://www.henricocitizen.com
Following are routine and complaint inspection reports for Henrico County food establishments inspected recently by the Henrico Health Department, according to Virginia Department of Health guidelines. Deficiencies are noted as “critical” (posing a direct or immediate threat to the safety of the food being served) or “non-critical” (representing a failure of cleaning or maintenance). Inspections represent only a snapshot of the establishment on a specific date and time and may not be representative of its overall cleanliness, according to the VDH. Unless noted, all reported violations were corrected at the time of inspection or shortly thereafter.
OCT. 23
Burger King, 1013 Parham Road – No violations reported during a complaint inspection. Complainant alleged that on Oct. 21 at about 8 p.m., he witnessed an employee leave the restroom zipping up his pants and did not believe the employee had washed his hands. The inspector spoke to the assistant manager, who said he would discuss hand-washing policies with employees.
Bahama Joe's, 6922 Staples Mill Road – One critical violation reported (sanitizer observer at improper concentration) and eight non-critical violations reported.
Maggiano's Little Italy, 11800 West Broad Street – Two critical violations reported (foods observed reheating at improper temperatures; dirty knives, bowls, utensils observed with clean items at dishwashing station) and five non-critical violations reported.
New Tops China Restaurant, 7111 Staples Mill Road – No violations reported during a complaint inspection. Complainant alleged that on Oct. 18 at about noon, the lunch buffet was cold. The inspector found that the food on the buffet is discarded daily at 2 p.m. and found that the temperature was not a violation but advised that all foods should remain hot for quality reasons.
OCT. 25
Land America, 5620 Cox Road, Glen Allen – One critical violation reported (spray bottle of clear liquid found in coffee station area with no identification) and four non-critical violations reported.
Mamma Felicia's Ristorante Pizzeria, 9681 West Broad Street – One critical violation reported (raw chicken found stored over produce in walk-in refrigerator) and three non-critical violations reported.
OCT. 26
5 Star Gyros and Subs, 9076 West Broad Street – Two critical violations reported (can found dented across side seam; cooked steak found holding at improper temperature) and two non-critical violations reported.
OCT. 30
China King Buffet, 4935 Nine Mile Road – One critical violation reported (dirty knives found stored in plastic container) and no non-critical violations reported.
Henrico Employee Cafeteria, 4301 East Parham Road – No violations reported.
OCT. 31
Olive Garden, 7113 West Broad Street – No violations reported during a complaint inspection. A customer's son allegedly found glass in his plate of spaghetti. The inspector spoke with the manager, who said that all of the spaghetti sauce and meatballs were discarded after the customer complained. The customer also spoke with the manager via telephone at the time. The manager said that a glass had been broken near the spaghetti pots and could have projected into a pot. Employees later moved the pots out of the proximity of the glassware.
NOV. 1
Burger King, 11274 Patterson Avenue – One critical violation reported (employee used cup to scoop ice) and one non-critical violation reported.
Chanello's Pizza, 2500 Gayton Center Drive – No critical violations reported and one non-critical violation reported.
Chianti Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, 1304 Gaskins Road – Four critical violations reported (employee observed handling deli meat with bare hands; refrigerator set to improper temperature; packages of repackaged deli products on site not date-labeled; bus pans used for food found cracked) and seven non-critical violations reported.
Tuckaway-Barony II Child Development Center, 3331 Barony Crescent – One critical violation reported (several packages of past date deli meats and cheeses found in refrigerator) and one non-critical violation reported.
Youth Emergency Shelter, 2250 Pump Road – No violations reported.
NOV. 2
Carvel, 10208 Staples Mill Road, Suite 100 – No violations reported.

TEXAS: Nov. 16 Leger's restaurant report card
16.nov.07
KFDM.com
Bill Leger
http://www.kfdm.com/onset?id=23533&template=article.html
This week's restaurant inspection scores come to us from the Beaumont City Health Department.
WAFFLE HOUSE 3865 I-10 SOUTH/GRADE=75
We begin with Waffle House on I-10 South. Inspector Wilhelm found eggs at unsafe temperatures, raw meat was in a position to contaminate eggs, and the bottom of the egg cooler needed to be cleaned. Waffle House on I-10 South gets a 75.
WAFFLE HOUSE 3989 COLLEGE/GRADE=76
Now to the Waffle House on College Street. Inspector Wilhelm reports eggs, hash browns and ham at unsafe temperatures, there was mold in the ice machine and the cooler needed to be cleaned. Waffle House on College gets a 76.
DICKIES RESTAURANT 3280 EAST LUCAS/GRADE=78
Next is Dickies on East Lucas formerly the Lucky Star Market and Deli. Inspector Wilhelm found flies and roaches in the kitchen. And she informed the managers that they must clean the kitchen every day. Dickies gets a 78.
JACK IN THE BOX 775 S. 11TH/GRADE=80
And finally Inspector Wilhelm dropped in on Jack in the Box on 11th street. She detected an odor in the ice machine room and said it needed a good cleaning, there was also mold in the ice machine. Jack in the Box on 11th Street gets an 80.
KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN
3297 COLLEGE
GRADE=82
WAFFLE HOUSE
2760 I10 EAST
GRADE=90
SOUTHERN DELIGHT
3195 WASHINGTON BLVD
GRADE=86
OUTBACK STEAK HOUSE
2060 N MAJOR DR
BEAUMONT
GRADE=93
SONIC DRIVE IN
5850 WALDEN ROAD
GRADE=92
STARBUCKS COFFEE
3935 DOWLEN
GRADE=92
MARTHA'S RESTAURANT
1175 WASHINGTON BLVD
GRADE=92
FOOD HUT
3595 CONCORD
GRADE=92
HARBOR HOSPICE OF BEAUMONT
2450 N. MAJOR DR
GRADE=96
SNACK DELITE
6155 EASTEX FRWY SUITE 31
GRADE=96
CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH
88 JAGUAR DR
GRADE=100
BRIANS'S PLACE
595 ORLEANS
GRADE=100
CALDWOOD ELEMENTARY
102 BERKSHIRE
GRADE=100
CHINA HUT
3675 COLLEGE
GRADE=100
DICKIES FAST FOOD
3280 B EAST LUCAS
RETAIL FOOD INSPECTION (STORE)
GRADE=100

NEW YORK: Bubby's closed: Rats and roaches just weeks ago
16.nov.07
nymag.com
http://nymag.com/daily/food/2007/11/bubbys_closed_bad_history_with.html
While we're still waiting to hear the final vermin count on Bubby's, the beloved Tribeca joint that the DOH unceremoniously shut down this morning, owner Ron Silver has appeared in Eater's comments, revealing that the final, fatal inspection was due to a neighborhood complaint; he also calls bullshit on something regarding an open-can count. Right, right — there are always these nitpicky problems. But was there something more? We decided to take a look at their last inspection, which was October 25, wherein they racked up an impressive 43 violation points. We can't say how many of the previous wrongs have since been righted, but we hope they had at least cleaned up that roach problem in the past few weeks.
BUBBY'S 120 HUDSON STREET, MANHATTAN 10013 212-219-0666
Violation points: 43
Inspection Date: 10/25/2007
Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring immediate action were addressed.
Sanitary Violations
1.) Accurate thermometer not provided in refrigerated or hot holding equipment.
2.) Lighting inadequate. Bulb not shielded or shatterproof.
3.) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin exist.
4.) Nuisance created or allowed to exist. Facility not free from unsafe, hazardous, offensive or annoying condition.
5.) Evidence of flying insects or live flying insects present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
6.) Evidence of roaches or live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
7.) Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
8.) Food item spoiled, adulterated, contaminated or cross-contaminated.
9.) Hot food not held at or above 140˚F.

NEW YORK: Health violations close renowned east side restaurant
15.nov.07
NY 1
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=75662
NEW YORK -- Serendipity 3, a famous city restaurant popular with kids and tourists, has, according to this story, been shut down by the city Department of Health after a second failed health inspection Wednesday night.
The story says that an inspection Wednesday night found the restaurant crawling with cockroaches, mice and flies. Inspectors spotted a live mouse and mouse droppings in many areas of the restaurant, which is usually better known for its lavish desserts, like frozen hot chocolate.
One customer was quoted as saying, "We are very sad. We made reservations weeks in advance, and we've tried to get here many, many times, and it's always very crowded and so we are obviously quite disappointed."
Another was quoted as saying, "I am in shock. You know a friend of mine from Washington, D.C. asked me to come by to Serendipity especially to pick some coffee up. So I get here, it's chain and everything and they found a hundred roaches in there."
Just last week the restaurant made headlines when it unveiled a dessert that was billed as the most expensive in the world.
A person answering the phone at the eatery was cited as saying the restaurant is working to correct a problem in the kitchen and would remain closed until at least next week.

NEW JERSEY: Lemon with your drink? Restaurant lemons are
loaded with germs
15.nov.07
Healthinspections.com
http://healthinspections.com/articles.cfm?YXJ0aWNsZUlEPTg4
Restaurants workers are, according to this story, apparently spiking your drink with germs whenever they put a lemon wedge on your glass of water, tea, or soda.
A new study by a New Jersey microbiologist found nasty bacteria on two-thirds of the lemons that were tested from 21 restaurants.
Anne LaGrange Loving, assistant science professor at Passaic County Community College, was quoted as saying, "It was gross."
Loving decided to do the study after noticing a waitress with dirty fingernails delivering a drink to a table.
"They put lemon in my Diet Coke, I didn't ask for it, and so I decided to do a study."
Loving and her team swabbed for bacteria as soon as drinks hit the table at restaurants all around Patterson, New Jersey.
"You would think they had dipped the lemons in raw meat," she said, referring to the high levels of bacteria that she found.
The swabs of lemon wedges revealed everything from high counts of fecal bacteria to a couple of dozen other microorganisms -- most of which can make you sick. They found bacteria on the lemon rind and on the flesh of the lemon.
Health laws require lemons to be handled with gloves or tongs. But its common practice for waiters and waitresses to simply pop the little lemon wedge onto a drinking glass with their bare hands.
If an employee's hands aren't clean, however, then touching the lemons is likely to contaminate them with bacteria according to Loving.

How healthy and safe is your favorite HOUSTON restaurant?
13.nov.07
11 News Defenders
Mark Greenblatt
http://www.khou.com/business/stories/khou071112_tj_foodviolations.
204d974e8.html
11 News Defenders, according to this story, reviewed the records of more than 3,000 City of Houston health inspections. Records the city does not readily make available to the public.
The story says that the 11 News Defenders reviewed tens of thousands of restaurant inspection records to find out the state of restaurant cleanliness in our area.
Not only did they find some very high-profile restaurants with troublesome city health scores, but even more disturbingly, that the Houston Department Of Health and Human Services was covering something up: the inspections of restaurants with the most severe problems.
Mark Hempen was cited as saying he thinks he got food poisoning from a meal at a Houston restaurant, adding, “Oh my goodness it was painful. … You have it coming out both ends, I was really, really close to going to the hospital
Hempen filed a complaint with the City, and a week later health department inspectors discovered “dirty kitchen equipment,” “improper food storage” and other “health violations” there.
Pete Snyder, a nationally renowned food safety expert out of Minnesota was quoted as saying, “These are all serious,” and after reviewing the restaurant's file, said, “There’s a very high risk of vomiting and diarrhea."
But what disturbs Snyder more is that inspectors did a follow-up visit to Cafe Japon a few weeks later and found another 20 health violations, some of them “critical.”
The story says that the Defenders took a comprehensive look at dining out in Houston using city records to analyze more than 10,000 restaurant inspections performed since May of 2005. We found out of 2,800 restaurants inspected during that timeframe, more than 1,700 are past due for another inspection.
What’s more? Nearly 200 eateries had the worst or second-worst health ratings possible.

Salmonella from NORTH CAROLINA restaurant sickens 176
12.nov.07
News Inferno
http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/2020
Salmonella linked to a Newton, North Carolina restaurant could be to blame for as many as 176 illnesses. Since health officials in that area first began receiving reports of Salmonella-like symptoms from the patrons of the Carniceria Y Taqueria Hermanos Chavez restaurant, they have been able to confirm at least 25 cases of Salmonella poisoning. However, the number of people sickened in the Newton, North Carolina Salmonella outbreak is most likely much higher than that, as health officials have limited testing to victims who are at “high risk” of spreading the bacteria, such as those who work in food service or health care.
Health officials in Catawba County, North Carolina are asking anyone who ate at the Carniceria Y Taqueria Hermanos Chavez restaurant off of US 321 Business to contact the health department at (828) 695-5800 if they experience Salmonella symptoms. Salmonella bacteria cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 72 hours of exposure. Children, the elderly or people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to complications from Salmonella poisoning. In rare cases, extreme instances of Salmonella poisoning can lead to a disease called Reiter’s Syndrome, which is associated with chronic arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Salmonella bacteria sicken 40,000 people every year. Although the true number could be much higher, because it is estimated that for every case of Salmonella poisoning reported, two others are unreported.
The Carniceria & Taqueria Hermanos Chavez restaurant was ordered to close by Catawba County health officials on November 2 after several cases of Salmonella poisoning were linked to the restaurant. The owner of the restaurant has reportedly said that it is doubtful he will reopen the restaurant. Health officials have been unable to determine the source of the Newton, North Carolina Salmonella outbreak, and it is uncertain if they ever will. Health investigators have said, however, that they are especially concerned that this particular Salmonella outbreak could spread further. Many of those sickened in the Newton Salmonella outbreak work at other restaurants in the area. The Catawba County Health Department has sent letters to those victims instructing them to stay home from work until they are free of Salmonella symptoms.
Restaurant outbreaks of Salmonella poisoning are not rare. Last year, raw tomatoes served at restaurants around the country sickened dozens. And this summer over 700 people in the Chicago area became ill from Salmonella after they ate at the Pars Cove Restaurant food booth at the Taste of Chicago Food Festival. Last month, a Quiznos restaurant in Minnesota was implicated in a Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least10 people. Other Salmonella outbreaks this year have also been linked to Peter Pan and Great Value Peanut Butter, and to Banquet Pot Pies, all of which were made by ConAgra Foods.

RHODE ISLAND: Restaurant safety reports a hit online
12.nov.07
Rhode Island Providence-Journal
Mark Arsenault
http://www.projo.com/news/content/ri_food_11-12-07_RP7QEM5_v34.
22b24b4.html
PROVIDENCE — The dining public apparently has a huge appetite for information about food safety in Rhode Island’s restaurants after tens of thousands of people viewed health inspection reports for restaurants, delis, convenience stores and other places food is served since the reports first became available online last Tuesday.
Ernest M. Julian, chief of the Office of Food Protection at the Rhode Island Department of Health, was quoted as saying, “We had one person call us who said they searched for 100 places online. People are checking all the places they eat.”
The Health Department has posted a database of some 4,000 food service inspection reports, covering about half the food establishments in the state, dating back to January. The reports list health violations with short explanations.
The inspection reports are available at www.health.ri.gov/environment/food/inspections.php.
After being publicized by local media, the site attracted so much Web traffic on Thursday that an Internet traffic jam developed that temporarily slowed the site.

PENNSYLVANIA: Two fail Blair food/safety inspections
09.nov.07
altoonamirror.com
http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/501778.html?nav=742
Twenty-six Blair County food establishment inspection reports were made public this week and, according to this story, all of the inspections are available in the For the Record Section of the Mirror Web site.
Two county establishments failed inspections and were listed as out of compliance.
Bob's Sausage of Martinsburg was out of compliance with seven violations. Several of the violations were easily correctalbe with a violation for a lack of handwashing signage above the handwashing sink and lack of thermometers and chlorine testing strips. Bob's also received notice to install two additional sinks withing 30 days.
DJS Cafe of Tyrone received an out of compliance rating with three violations.
The Tyrone establishment also lacked a seperate hand washing sink in the kitchen and was cited for not having a shield on a ceiling light in the kitchen area. The other violation was for a lack of test strips for sanitizer solution.
Other Blair County establishments with new reports include: Allegheny

NORTH CAROLINA: Newton restaurant may never reopen after customers sickened by salmonella
08.nov.07
WSOCTV.com
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/14545394/detail.html
NEWTON, N.C. -- A Newton restaurant may be closed for good after nearly two dozen customers tested positive for having salmonella.
Experts with the Catawba County Public Health Office were cited as saying they may never know for sure what caused the outbreak at the Carniceria y Taqueria off U.S. 321 Business. The owner has scrubbed the place down, but he said he knows some customers will never come back.
Kristy Thompson was quoted as saying, "I felt like my body was dying," and she has a letter from the health department telling her not to go back to work until she is better.

NORTH CAROLINA: Additional cases of salmonella food poisoning linked to North Carolina restaurant
08.nov.07
Salmonella Lawsuit Blog
http://salmonellalawsuit.com/?p=71
Fifteen cases of Salmonella food poisoning have been confirmed by the Catawba County Public Health Department, and 126 people have now reported food poisoning symptoms. All of the cases appear to be linked to Restaurant Hermanos Chavez and the Carniceria y Taqueria Hermanos, a Hispanic restaurant and butcher shop located in Newton.
County public health director Doug Urland said that the restaurant and shop have been voluntarily closed since last Saturday and that the health department is investigating the Salmonella outbreak.
“We do not know that it is definitely a food product,” Urland said regarding the source of the Salmonella outbreak.
Urland also noted that prior to reopening, the restaurant and butcher shop will have to discard all food items and thoroughly clean and sanitize the premises. The health department will instruct restaurant employees on proper food handling and hygiene, he said.

RHODE ISLAND: Restaurant inspection reports
07.nov.07
MyFOX Providence
http://www.myfoxprovidence.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4854847
&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
The Rhode Island Health Department is making food inspection reports available to the public.
Click here for a complete list of inspection reports and find out how your favorite restaurants measure up: http://www.health.state.ri.us/environment/food/inspections.php
You will be able to access a total of 8- thousand food establishments through the website including restaurants, markets, grocery stores, school cafeterias.
The Department of Health has 8 Food Inspectors.
Food inspections are conducted based on the risk of foodborne illness.
High priority is response to foodborne outbreaks, illness complaints and food recalls where the potential for illness is high. Response to high-risk complaints, and reinspection of facilities with a history of foodborne illness risk factors is also a high priority. Other factors used in determining inspection frequency include: Federal mandates for milk and shellfish; whether high risk populations such as the ill, the very young or the elderly are served; the number of people receiving food; whether high-risk food preparation practices are used; and the types of food served. Opening inspections for new facilities is also a high priority in order to establish safe practices from the beginning of operations. (Few violations are found during opening inspections.)

PENNSYLVANIA: State reaches 50,000 food safety certified restaurant employees
02.nov.07
Food Industry Market
http://www.foodindustrymarket.com/2007/11/governor-rendel.html
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Agreements between the state Department of Agriculture and 15 municipalities and local health departments will improve the uniformity of restaurant inspecting and reporting in Pennsylvania, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.
For the first time, the restaurant inspection reports from local health departments, in addition to the state inspection program, are available at http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/pafoodsafety.
"We are committed to improving food safety in Pennsylvania to ensure the health of consumers," Governor Rendell said. "By using the same system to conduct and report restaurant inspections across the state, we can provide consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions about where they eat."
At Governor Rendell's direction, the state Department of Agriculture invested in technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of restaurant inspections. In 2006, the department began using the Garrison Enterprises Digital Health System, which gave inspectors tablet computers that enable them to relay their results daily to the state's database.
Since that time, the department has worked with local municipalities that conduct their own restaurant inspections to standardize the inspection processes and implement the Garrison Digital Health System. There are currently 187 individual municipalities and health departments, which cover approximately 60 percent of the state's retail food establishments.
The local municipalities and health departments now using the Garrison Digital Health System are:
Bucks County Health Department City of Franklin, Venango County City of New Castle, Lawrence County City of Sunbury, Northumberland County Millville Borough, Columbia County Montgomery Borough, Montgomery County Muncy Borough, Lycoming County Northumberland Borough, Northumberland County Township of Springfield, Delaware County City of York, York County City of Hazelton, Luzerne County City of Johnstown, Cambria County Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County Borough of Lehighton, Carbon County Borough of Bowmanstown, Carbon County
The following local municipalities and health departments are in the process of joining the system:
City of Lock Haven, Clinton County City of Williamsport, Lycoming County City of Bethlehem, Lehigh County Wilkes-Barre City, Luzerne County Philadelphia Department of Public Health Erie Department of Health City of Allentown, Lehigh County Harrisburg City, Dauphin County
Pennsylvania made public safety advances in 2004 with the creation of the Food Employee Certification Law - which requires all establishments to have at least one manager certified in safe food handling if they serve food that could make people sick if improperly handled. To date, more than 50,000 food establishment employees have been trained under this law.
"The food employee certification program has been a major advancement for food safety," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "Having well-trained employees at every restaurant who understand the importance of proper food handling, and can share those methods with others, is essential to ensuring public health."
The department has proposed amendments to the 60-year old Public Eating and Drinking Places Law, Act 369, to better reflect current business practices, modern science and the Pennsylvania Food Code.
Governor Rendell is encouraging the General Assembly to pass House Bill 1422, which will help prevent food-borne illness by improving Agriculture's ability to enforce food safety regulations. The Governor also supports standardizing the inspection and reporting process so that all eating establishments are inspected using the same criteria and the public receives the results in a common format.
Through House Bill 1422, the Governor aims to: -- Make food safety inspections uniform across the state, regardless of jurisdiction. -- Make food safety inspection reports available to the public, regardless of jurisdiction. -- Increase fees and penalties for re-inspections and failure to meet safety standards. -- Require restaurants to have at least one supervisor or person in charge present at all hours of operation who has received food employee certification. -- Avoid duplication of inspections between state and local inspectors.
Consumers with questions or concerns regarding food safety and restaurant inspections in Pennsylvania may call toll-free, at 1-866-366-3723.
For more information about Pennsylvania's Food Safety programs, visit http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/pafoodsafety.

PENNSYLVANIA: Bucks County to post restaurant inspection results online
01.nov.07
Philly.com
Associated Press
http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20071101_ap_
buckscountytopostrestaurantinspectionresultsonline.html
BENSALEM, Pa. - Bucks County is about to post the results of health code inspections of its eateries on line.
Commissioner Charles Martin was cited as saying the suburban Philadelphia county has some 2,100 dining establishments, ranging from five-star restaurants to school cafeterias, and that each is inspected annually.
Martin says people will now be able to see the results of the restaurant inspections on the county's Web site. He says they will no longer be filed on paper and stuffed in a drawer.
The information will be posted as the inspections are carried out. It will take a year for the conversion to be completed.
On the Web:
Bucks County: http://www.buckscounty.org