Don’t eat poop (like those kids at Georgetown); proper handwashing and proper tools
Oct. 3, 2008
Dr. Douglas Powell
Foodsafety.ksu.edu
I used to steal toilet paper.
As an undergraduate 25 years ago, and once my girlfriend showed me how to get at the theft-proof rolls in the university centre, the supplies of toilet paper in our household became one less student expense.
My hockey bag is still filled with those little soaps and shampoos from hotel rooms around the globe.
I was the kind of student -- and apparently I'm not alone -- University of Guelph administrators in Canada were worried about when they say that residence students should provide their own handwashing soap.
In 2005, the university switched to sanitizers instead of soap and paper towels in the residence washrooms because soap dispensers, paper towels and garbage cans went missing.
That was before a 2006 norovirus outbreak sickened over 150 students, primarily in one university residence.
The university subsequently returned soap and paper towels to all residences to help control the outbreak.
Students at Georgetown University are now being implored to wash their hands after a norovoirus outbreak linked to the school’s dining hall caused 175 students to vomit their way to the hospital. Said one university official, “Handwashing is going to be our mantra for a very long time around here.”
That’s great. A little late, but better than before. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 25 per cent of the 76 million annual cases of foodborne illness in the U.S. could be eliminated with proper handwashing.
That's a lot fewer sick people.
But, as Jon Stewart quipped in 2002, “If you think the 10 commandments being posted in a school is going to change behavior of children, then you think ‘Employees Must Wash Hands’ is keeping the piss out of your happy meals. It's not.”
So why don't more people wash their hands?
While some practice a Howard Hughes-like paranoia, study after study shows that many are lazy when it comes to handwashing. The proclamations to practice proper handwashing, on restroom posters, in daycare facilities, in media scare stories, will always fail to register with those who are impervious to risk -- that bad things happen to someone else, not me.
But as the Guelph example demonstrates, anything that can even slightly encourage proper handwashing and hygiene in general needs to be encouraged -- and that means ready availability of soap, water and paper towels.
Once available, the facilities have to actually be used, whether in the workplace, the home, the university residence, or, the farm.
The steps in proper handwashing, as concluded from the preponderance of available evidence, are:
• wet hands with water;
• use enough soap to build a good lather;
• scrub hands vigorously, creating friction and reaching all areas of the fingers and hands for at least 10 seconds to loosen pathogens on the fingers and hands;
• rinse hands with thorough amounts of water while continuing to rub hands; and,
• dry hands with paper towel.
Water temperature is not a critical factor -- water hot enough to kill dangerous bacteria and viruses would scald hands -- so use whatever is comfortable.
The friction from rubbing hands with paper towels helps remove additional bacteria and viruses.
The next time you visit a bathroom that is missing soap, water or paper towels, let someone in charge know. And next time you see someone skip out on the suds in the bathroom, look at them and say, “Dude, wash your hands!”
Don’t eat poop.
Douglas Powell is an associate professor of food safety at Kansas State University
dpowell@ksu.edu
785-317-0560
BLOG: Your mother was right! Wash your hands
03.oct.08
Worms and Germs Blog
Scott Weece
https://www.google.com/reader/view/#stream/feed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.wormsand
germsblog.com%2Findex.xml
You may notice a recurring theme in many of our posts and on virtually all of the information sheets on the Worms & Germs Resources page: an emphasis on handwashing. There is increasing emphasis on hand hygiene (i.e. hand washing and use of alcohol hand sanitizers) education in hospitals because the hands of healthcare workers are a major (if not the most important) means of disease transmission between patients. Despite hand hygiene being easy, cheap and effective, people rarely wash their hands as often as they should, and they often don't do it properly.
Most of the research about hand hygiene that has been published has focused on its use and impact in human hospitals, but this area is now also being studied more with regard to animals and veterinary medicine. A study published earlier this year in Veterinary Microbiology provided more evidence that hand hygiene is a critical infection control measure when dealing with animals. The study, coordinated by Dr. Maureen Anderson (of Worms&Germs fame) looked at MRSA carriage rate in veterinarians who work with horses. In addition to finding a high rate of MRSA carriage among these veterinarians (which was consistent with other reports indicating that equine vets are at higher than average risk for exposure to MRSA), the study looked at factors associated with MRSA carriage. Vets that reported routinely washing their hands between farms and those that reported washing their hands after contact with potentially infectious cases had a significantly lower rate of MRSA carriage. That should come as absolutely no surprise, but it's one more piece of evidence that we need to pay more attention to this routine infection control measure, in human hospitals, in veterinary environments and in households.
Remember, the 10 most important sources of infection are the fingers on your hands!
WASHINGTON, DC: Leo’s food sickens 96; Health Dept. launches inspection
02.oct.08
Georgetown Voice
Molly Redden
http://www.georgetownvoice.com/2008-10-02/news/leo-s-food-sickens-96
Barfblog Post
At least 96 students were treated by the Georgetown University Hospital or the Student Health Center for gastroenteritis from Tuesday night and Wednesday. Speaking to an audience of student and local reporters in the Leavey Center yesterday afternoon, Todd Olson, the Vice President of Student Affairs, said that the “clear common denominator” amongst all the students was that they had dined at the Leo O’Donovan Cafeteria.
On Wednesday, Leo’s did not open. Staff workers and DPS officers turned students away for all three meals.
As students swarmed the hospital on Tuesday night, both rooms and doctors became scarce.
Neil McGroarty (NHS `12), arrived at the emergency room at around 10:30 p.m., only hours after eating a roast beef sandwich from Grab N’ Go. He said within hours of arriving at the Hospital, the emergency room was backed up to the point that students who weren’t receiving medical attention began vomiting in the waiting room.
“I know that some people in the waiting room had been there for three hours. There was a boy yelling ‘help me, help me!’ but there were no doctors,” Kathrin Verestoun (SFS `11), who accompanied her roommate to the emergency room, said. “They ran out of rooms and set up stretchers in the hall. Some people were so dehydrated that they couldn’t find their veins for IVs. They were just bleeding. [My roommate] bled all over her stretcher.”
Hospital employees declined to comment.
Georgetown administrators, and the D.C. Department of Health would not yet speculate as to whether students contracted food-borne illnesses from Leo’s. Together, they have launched an investigation into the cause of the illnesses.
However, a Food Establishment Inspection Report obtained by the Voice through a Freedom of Information Act request reveals that in June, the D.C. Bureau of Community Hygiene determined that Leo’s’ handwashing facilities were not up to code, although this was “corrected on-site.” According to the report, sinks used for handwashing in the service area lacked handsoap.
Since receiving the first call they received at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service increased the number of people they keep on staff per hour from four to ten.
While they usually receive one to two calls in an overnight period, Taylor Burkholder (MSB `09), the director of public relations for GERMS, said that as of 2:00 p.m. yesterday GERMS had received 35 calls from students who were “vomiting, nauseous, dehydrated, or had diarrhea.”
The actual number of students who have fallen ill may be far higher than reported. Interviews have revealed that many students who fell ill did not get medical help, like Katie O’Niell (COL `11), who began to vomit about three hours after eating a burrito at Leo’s.
“I didn’t feel like I could make it any further than from my bed to the bathroom,” she said.
Roommates Adha Mengis (COL `11) and Will McMahon (MSB `11) both decided to “tough it out,” said Mengis, despite McMahon being violently ill.
Resident assistants emailed students on their floors midday yesterday, encouraging them to call GERMS if they felt the symptoms of gastroenteritis. An R.A. who wished to remain anonymous said that it is possible that housing directors were hoping to encourage students who were not seeking medical attention to do so.
The foods eaten by the ill students varied widely, from Grab N’ Go’s Hoya Wraps and roast beef sandwiches to make-your-own pasta and burritos.
Yesterday in the Leavey Center, students could use their meal plans to get food from the Center Grill.
PENNSYLVANIA: Check out that restaurant's grade
02.oct.08
The Intelligencer
Lou Sessinger
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-10022008-1599659.html
There are more than 4,000 establishments licensed to sell food in Montgomery County, and now the public can go online to view their favorite restaurant's health report card.
The Montgomery County Health Department has put its inspection reports of food service establishments on its Web site. The database includes not only restaurants and taverns, but also cafeterias in schools and companies, supermarkets and convenience stores.
A look at a small sample of inspection reports on Wednesday indicated that many establishments were “out of compliance” on one or more comparatively minor issues.
Until now, someone who wanted to see a report had only two options: to visit the health department in person or to submit a written request for a copy to be sent to them via mail or fax — at a cost.
Visitors to the Web site can search for a particular establishment or groups of establishments by name or municipality. Information can also be sorted alphabetically and by city.
Inspection reports for April and thereafter are posted.
They include routine inspection reports, follow-up inspection reports and complaint inspection reports.
Reports are to be posted five days after an inspection occurs.
TENNESSEE: Restaurant scorecard: October 2, 2008
02.oct.08
WMC-TV
Bill Lunn
http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=9116664
MEMPHIS, TN -- Patrick's restaurant in East Memphis at Park and Mendenhall is a popular hangout among the University of Memphis crowd. But a restaurant inspection found that there were other things hanging out here too. Like roaches.
Patrick's failed with a 63.
Each week on Restaurant Scorecard, we will tell you about a restaurant or two that has bugs. Maybe a roach on the floor or flies in the kitchen. At a Waffle House in Germantown they found a roach alright. But this one was crawling right across a cutting board in the kitchen.
But as you can see a major renovation is underway. They are cleaning it out and cleaning it up and hey expect that this waffle house in Germantown will be open by Saturday.
The owner of the franchise said the renovation had nothing to do with this week's failing grade of 68.
The low grade of the week goes to Yum's at 1934 South Third.
Major problems there. Employees failing to wash their hands on three occasions. Even though a health inspector was present. Dirty Floors. Dirty aprons. Mold in the ice machine.
Yum's on South Third failed with a 49.
At the Mandarin Palace in Bartlett, eggs were warm to the touch.
The sink where employees are supposed to wash their hands had no soap.
And an employee dropped chicken on the floor, then began kicking the chicken. Then picked up the chicken and didn't wash his hands.
Mandarin Palace on Bartlett Boulevard failed with a 51.
At the Casa Mexicana at 3875 Hacks Cross, an employee did not wash his hands before getting ready to prepare food.
Casa Mexicana failed with a 64.
The El Mercadito at Ridgeway and Winchester had a number of plumbing problems as well as some smaller violations.
El Mercadito failed with a 65.
At the Wendy's at 2180 Covington Pike, one employee wiped their face. Another employee adjusted their headset. Both went back to preparing food without washing their hands.
Wendy's Covington Pike failed with a 67.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Midlands restaurant inspection database
01.oct.08
The State
http://www.thestate.com/newsextras/story/541424.html
Restaurant inspections are carried out by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control's Food Protection program. The State obtains data weekly through S.C. Freedom of Information Act requests. This data is presented as is. Questions about inspections and results should be directed to DHEC staff.
WHAT THE GRADES MEAN
A - An establishment having a rating score of 88-100 points. These facilities typically exhibit very good to acceptable levels of sanitation during an unannounced routine inspection.
B - An establishment having a rating score of 78-87 points. These facilities typically exhibit acceptable to marginal levels of sanitation during an unannounced routine inspection.
C - An establishment having a rating score of 77-70 points. These facilities typically exhibit poor to marginal levels of sanitation during an unannounced routine inspection.
ABOUT INSPECTIONS
(From the DHEC FAQ):
Routine inspection
Routine inspections (R) are unannounced, full and comprehensive evaluation visits of the entire physical establishment and all aspects of safe food handling practices in an establishment. The rating score for this type of inspection is reflective of violations normally cited on an unannounced visit and sometimes may result in a lowered rating score.
Follow-up inspection
Follow up inspections (F) are made to verify compliance or corrective action subsequent to a previous inspection. The rating score for this type of inspection is reflective of management`s opportunity to correct items cited on the previous routine inspection and almost always results in a higher rating score.
Complaint inspection
A complaint inspection conducted in response to a citizen reporting unsanitary conditions or unsafe food handling practices at an establishment.
Training inspection
A training inspection is a scheduled visit in cooperation with management for the purpose of conducting training or providing a presentation on food safety issues to food handlers at the establishment.
Pre-opening (site) inspection
Pre-opening or site inspections are scheduled to approve a newly constructed or remodeled establishment (or installation of new equipment) prior to a permit being issued and an establishment beginning operation. This gives the operator an opportunity to correct any remaining items which have to be corrected before a permit can be issued.
Permit inspection
Unlike a site inspection, a permit inspection is one that is scheduled to issue a permit. An establishment that is ready to be permitted will have made application for a permit with the local environmental health office and the facility will have everything ready as if the establishment were ready to open on that day. For example, If all the refrigeration units in the establishment was not ready to be turned on, a permit would not be issued.
CANADA: Better hand hygiene at hospital still 'embarrassing'
30.sep.08
The Windsor Star
Sonja Puzic
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=50c9d755-797c-4aed-8806-d299c0ee6325
Windsor Regional Hospital needs to improve "embarrassing" handwashing compliance rates among its staff, CEO David Musyj said a day after the province's auditor general released his report on hospital-acquired infections, which are commonly spread through hand contact.
Musyj said the hospital's own hand hygiene audit shows that about 80 per cent of staff are washing their hands frequently under the hospital's heavily promoted guidelines.
"We were at 40 per cent back about eight months ago," he said. "Forty was horrible. Eighty (per cent) is embarrassing. We need to get to 100 per cent -- no exceptions."
IOWA: Restaurants' health reports out in open
30.sep.08
Iowa City Press Citizen
Rob Daniel
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/NEWS01/809300313/1079
Kim Chandler said it is her job to be thorough with health inspections.
An environmental health specialist with the Johnson County Department of Public Health, much of her duties revolve around conducting health inspections of the 527 restaurants and other locales that serve food in Johnson County. With the Iowa food code as her guide, she looks at everything from how dishes are washed to how chemicals and food are stored.
"If people haven't opened a business before, they might (miss) the little things," Chandler said.
Although Chandler and other health inspectors do regular examinations of the restaurants and other establishments that serve food, a national advocacy group is pushing for even more transparency in how the public knows the restaurant is safe.
In Iowa, a revised food code that went into effect July , puts the health inspections out for all to see, according to Tricia Kitzmann, deputy director of the Johnson County Department of Public Health. While anyone can view a restaurant's inspection report online at the Web site of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, the revised food code requires all food service establishments to display their most recent report in a place where the public can easily view them.
"They'll be able to read the inspection itself," Kitzmann said. "Ours is going to be more detailed."
Other additions to the food code that recently went into effect include sending home employees who may be ill with norovirus or the "stomach flu." Restaurant workers also are no longer allowed to handle ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and must wear gloves while serving.
Chandler said they are rules that most restaurant operators can abide by, with most eateries in good shape "overall."
"Typically, if they don't run their kitchen and they're not good managers, they're eventually shut down," she said.
Scott Parshall, who opened Terrapin on Norcor Avenue in Coralville on Sept. 15, said he had no problems with the new requirements, including having to post the inspection in the public dining area.
"The overall concept is awesome," he said. "Everybody knows a little more, because it can get a little scary. If you're doing it right anyway, nothing's changed. People have the right to expect it to be safe. It's common sense enforced."
BARFBLOG: Handwashing rates low in hospitals: report
30.sep.08
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/09/articles/handwashing/handwashing-rates-low-in-
hospitals-report/index.html
In 2002, Jon Stewart quipped while hosting Saturday Night Live,
“If you think the 10 commandments being posted in a school is going to change behavior of children, then you think “Employees Must Wash Hands” is keeping the piss out of your happy meals. It's not.”
Apparently the signs aren’t working in Ontario hospitals either.
Jim McCarter, the province's auditor general, said in a report tabled in the provincial legislature that the results of a hand-hygiene program piloted in 10 hospitals revealed personnel were complying with the rules of good hand hygiene only 40 to 75 per cent of the time.
Time for new messages.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=a554e528-961f-
482b-a2b4-48fbb6193643
OHIO: Restaurant inspection report
29.sep.08
Newark Advocate
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20080929/NEWS01/809290306
# Thirsty Jake's Drive Thru, Sept. 16, 349 W. Church St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Marble Slab Creamery, Sept. 17, 277 Deo Drive, Newark, standard inspection, violations reported. 1. No hand washing signage at hand sink. 2. No towels at hand sink.
# Dickey's Barbeque Pit, Sept. 17, 1195 W. Church St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Liquid, Sept. 17, 2062 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Doug's Farside Catering, Sept. 17, 1923 Coffman Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Creno's Pizza, Sept. 17, 221 N. Cedar St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Wickham Grocery, Sept. 17, 330 National Drive, Newark, standard inspection, violation reported. 1. Light burnt out in walk-in.
# Horizon Petroleum, Sept. 18, 13075 Worthington Road, Pataskala, follow-up inspection, violations reported. 1. Light by coffee area needs serviced. 2. Water damaged ceiling tile yet to be replaced. 3. Light shield on order for cooler.
# Cumberland Trail Golf Club, Sept. 18, 8244 Columbia Road, Pataskala, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Dapper Dan's Pub, Sept. 18, 9327-29 Columbia Road, Pataskala, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Licking Heights Roosters, Sept. 18, 4000 Mink St., Pataskala, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Hillview Elementary, Sept. 18, 1927 Horns Hill Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Meijer No. 49 Gas Station, Sept. 18, 1153 N. 21st St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Appletree Snack Bar No. 2, Sept. 18, 1635 W. Church St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Appletree Snack Bar No. 1, Sept. 18, 1616 W. Church St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Twilight Coffee, Sept. 18, 39 S. Park Place, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Family Dollar No. 3165, Sept. 19, 1036 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# GMP Local 244, Sept. 19, 350 Hudson Ave., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Tony's Bar, Sept. 19, 390 W. Main St., Newark, standard inspection, violation reported. 1. Pop nozzles at bar are dirty.
# Midway Tap, Sept. 19, 146 Union St., Newark, standard inspection, violation reported. 1. Ceiling in walk-in is not finished.
# Lakewood Middle School, Sept. 19, 5222 National Road, Hebron, standard inspection, violation reported. 1. No lid on trash container in employee restroom.
# Lakewood High School, Sept. 19, 9331 Lancer Road, Hebron, standard inspection, violation reported. 1. No lid on trash container in employee restroom.
# Lakewood-Jackson Intermediate School, Sept. 19, 9370 Lancer Road, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Lakewood-Hebron Elementary School, Sept. 19, 709 Deacon St., Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# World of Wonderment Child Development No. 4, Sept. 19, 709 Deacon St., Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Creative Catering, Sept. 19, 925 W. Main St., Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Home Town Deli, Sept. 19, 102 Lakewood Drive, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Granville Golf Course, Sept. 19, 555 Newark Road, Granville, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Hebron Trailblazers Youth Football, Sept. 20, 1801 Refugee Road, Building B, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Granville Fall Softball, Sept. 20, Raccoon Valley Park, Granville, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Granville Music Boosters, Sept. 20, Hot Licks Blues Festival, Granville, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Bake-N-Brew II, Sept. 20, Hot Licks Blues Festival, Granville, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# River Road Coffeehouse, Sept. 20, Hot Licks Blues Festival, Granville, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# First Community Church, Sept. 20, 627 National Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Utica Elementary, Sept. 22, 367 Church St., Utica, 30-day inspection, no violations reported.
# North Fork-Newton Elementary School, Sept. 22, 6645 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, 30-day inspection, no violations reported.
# Denison University-Curtis Dining Hall, Sept. 22, Curtis Dining Hall, Granville, foodborne inspections, violations. 1. Conveyor dishwasher indicated only 149 degrees F. 2. Rack dishwasher rinse only indicated 174 degrees F. 3. Several dented cans found. 4. Food items must be stored a minimum six inches off floor. 5. Undercounter cooler at 55 degrees F. 6. Clean thoroughly cutter/gear on electric can opener to remove food debris. 7. Clean portable fans throughout operation. 8. Clean handles on doors of all walk-in coolers/freezers and reach-in coolers/freezers to remove gunk build up. 9. Replace damaged door gasket on Herrel walk-in cooler. 10. Replace all damaged door gaskets on Delfield three door cooler. 11. Wet wiping cloths need to be stored in sanitizing solution. 12. Dry wiping cloths shall be free of food debris and visible soil. 13. Replace missing door gasket on indoor freezer. 14. Clean fans and evaporators to remove debris in cheese and produce walk-in coolers. 15. Clean roll around carts to remove mold, food debris and other soil. 16. Clean mold from ice chutes on drink dispensing units. 17. Single-serve articles cannot be stored in women's locker room area. 18. Repair/replace lights throughout kitchen, prep, storage and dishwash areas as necessary to achieve proper operation.
# Licking Heights Boosters, Sept. 22, 6565 Summit Road SW, Pataskala, standard inspection, no violations reported.
INDIANA: Food establishment inspections
29.sep.08
Palladium-Item
pal-item.com
http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080929/NEWS01/809290310/1008
WAYNE COUNTY, IND. -- The Wayne County Health Department makes routine inspections of food service establishments for employee practices, food storage and handling, food temperatures, utensil washing, restrooms and general sanitation. They are graded with critical and non-critical violations. A critical item is defined as a violation that is more likely than other violations to contribute to food contamination, illness or environmental health hazard. Information: Marshall Kern, Health Department, (765) 973-9245.
Abbott's Candy & Gift Shop, 48 E. Walnut St., Hagerstown, Sept. 4. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
American Legion Post 315, 1214 S. Eighth St., Richmond, Aug. 14. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Area 9 Centerville, 111 S. Third St., Centerville, Aug. 19. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Area 9 Nettle Creek Senior Center, 327 E. Main St., Hagerstown, Sept. 4. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0
Area 9 Northeastern Senior Center, 600 W. Main, Fountain City, Aug. 20. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Brown Jug, 125 E. Main St., Centerville, Aug. 19. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Carniceria Las Palmas, 3420 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 18. Critical -- 3: 1) establishment needs certified food handler; 2) band saw, two knives used to cut raw meat, slicer next to microwave, meat tenderizer and scale at customer counter were soiled with dried food product; 3) oil is stored in spray bottle previously used to store cleaning solution; Non-Critical -- 3.
Charles Elementary, 2400 Reeveston Road, Richmond, Sept. 3. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Chipotle, 3726 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 25. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Ci Ci's Pizza, 3717 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 18. Critical -- 2: 1) three open drinks and a plate of food were in kitchen on hand sink and storage areas; 2) kitchen hand sink not accessible due to plate of food and soiled towels stored in it; Non-Critical -- 1.
Country Ribeye Steakhouse, 725 Progress Drive, Richmond, Sept. 2. Critical -- 6: 1) written employee health policy not provided; 2) six bags of thawing raw shrimp stored above containers of gelatin in walk-in cooler; cooked chicken and ready-to-eat soup was stored below trays of raw beef in reach-in cooler, bag of raw chicken stored on top of beer keg in walk-in cooler, hot dogs stored below packages of raw hamburger in the walk-in cooler; 3) mashed potatoes holding at 127 degrees, brown gravy holding at 125 degrees; 4) chili, nacho cheese, vegetable soup, cooked beef and green beans were not reheated to 165 degrees before placed in hot holding unit; 5) three cooked pork roasts prepared and placed in walk-in cooler measured at 44 and 45 degrees while operating temperature of the unit was 35 degrees; 6) vegetable prepared on Aug. 7 was in the reach-in cooler on Sept. 2, ready-to-eat bags of ham and turkey datemarked Aug. 20 were in the walk-in cooler Sept. 2; Non-Critical -- 5.
Crestdale Elementary School, 701 Crestdale Drive, Richmond, Aug. 25. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
CVS 6646, 1122 Indiana 1, Cambridge City, Aug. 21. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Dairy Queen, 837 N. 10th St., Richmond, Aug. 12. Critical -- 1, a fly was in the hotdog cooker at front of establishment; Non-Critical -- 1.
Discovery School, 900 S. L St., Richmond, Aug. 29. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Doc's BP, 2105 National Road W., Richmond, Aug. 29. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Double B's Bar-B-Que, 917 Ross St., Richmond. Aug. 29. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Elks Country Club, 2100 U.S. 27 S., Richmond, Aug. 12. Critical -- 1, pasta salad and potato salad had date markings to be discarded Aug. 8 and Aug. 9; Non-Critical -- 1.
Garrison Elementary, 4138 Niewoehner Road, Richmond, Aug. 28. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Girls Night Inn, 2035 E. Main St., Richmond, Sept. 9. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Hagerstown Elementary School, 299 N. Sycamore St., Hagerstown, Sept. 4. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Hagerstown High School, 700 Baker Road, Hagerstown, Sept. 4. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 1.
Hartman's Market, 1201 S. 13th St., Richmond, Aug. 14. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Harvestland Co-op 63, 498 S. E St., Richmond, Aug. 13. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Highland Heights Elementary School, 1751 E. Chester Road, Richmond, Aug. 25. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
JoAnn's Café, 723 S. Fifth St., Richmond, Aug. 13. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 1.
KFC, 4575 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 21. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
La Chiquita Mexican Market, 1625 E. Main St., Richmond, Sept. 8 follow-up inspection. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Long John Silver's/A&W, 3707 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 18 follow-up inspection. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Main Street Market, 8337 N. Main St., Williamsburg, Aug. 28. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Marsh Supermarket, 1301 S. E St., Richmond, Sept. 2. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Martha E. Parry Bed & Breakfast, 2221 E. Main St., Richmond. Sept. 9. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Philip W. Smith Bed & Breakfast, 2039 E. Main St., Richmond. Sept. 9. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Pizza Hut, 2250 Chester Blvd., Richmond, Sept. 4. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 4.
Potter's Wheel, 4495 Park Elwood Road, Richmond. Sept. 9. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Richmond Dream Center, 310 N. 19th St., Richmond, Aug. 13. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Ritter's Frozen Custard, 3005 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 28. Critical -- 1, employee hand sink used for food prep rather than handwashing only; Non-Critical -- 1.
Rose City Shell LLC/Quiznos, 1304 Industries Road, Richmond, Aug. 18. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Save-A-Lot, 3775 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 20. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Seton Catholic High School, 233 S. Fifth St., Richmond, Aug. 25. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Sheridan Pub, 625 Sheridan St., Richmond, Aug. 28. Critical -- 1, consumer advisory identification of food items not provided on menu; Non-Critical -- 0.
Skyline Chili, 81 S. 37th St., Richmond, Sept. 3. Critical -- 4: 1) written employee health policy not provided; 2) two containers of spaghetti in walk-in cooler measured 46 and 48 degrees while operating temperature of unit was 41 degrees; 3) employee hand sink in front food prep area covered with a tray and not accessible; 4) spray bottle of degreaser was labeled as sanitizer and spray bottle of window cleaner was not labeled; Non-Critical -- 3.
Sportsman's Lounge: 1304 N.W. Fifth St., Richmond, Aug. 20. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Subway 3, 2425 Chester Blvd., Richmond, Aug. 26. Critical -- 1, employee illness policy not provided; Non-Critical -- 1.
Subway/Wal-Mart, 3601 E. Main St., Richmond, Aug. 15. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Tally Ho Pub, 502 N. 19th St., Richmond, Aug. 12. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Taste of Asia, 2515 Chester Blvd., Richmond, Aug. 19. Critical -- 9: 1) employees entered establishment and prepared food without washing hands; chicken broth prepared previous day and left on stove measured 90.3 degrees rather than 135 or above, rice prepared the previous day and intended for today's use measured 91.7 rather than 135 or above; 3) boiled eggs, crab meat mixture, cooked noodles and egg rolls stored in walk-in cooler for a period greater than 24 hours not date marked; 4) written consumer advisory not provided on menu, Hibachi buffet or cooking place; 5) plastic shopping bags not intended for food contact are being used to store food; 6) cabbage grader stored by dish machine is made of wood and cannot be cleaned; 7) dead fly was on the exterior cover of a container of mayonnaise in the walk-in cooler; 8) pans and utensils washed and rinsed at three-bay sink are not being sanitized, rice cooker containers were not sanitized after washing and rinsing; 9) utensils were stored in hand sink in sushi prep area; Non-Critical -- 8.
TCBY, 4563 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 15. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 1.
The Underground, 5501 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 14. Critical -- 1, cockroach in unused reach-in cooler across from grill in main food prep area; Non-Critical -- 1.
Uptown Grill, 718 E. Main St., Richmond, Aug. 13 follow-up inspection. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Vaile Elementary School, 300 S. 14th St., Richmond, Sept. 3. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
VFW Post 1108, 213 S. Eighth St., Richmond, Aug. 12. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Village Pantry 588, 1101 S. E St., Richmond, Aug. 18. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
Wellings Steak House, 1500 N. E St., Richmond, Aug. 12. Critical -- 1, potato salad was datemarked with expired date; Non-Critical -- 0.
Wendy's, 1716 E. Main St., Richmond, Sept. 5. Critical -- 2: 1) employee handled raw hamburger patties and then touched drawer handles above sandwich prep station without washing hands; 2) approximately eight gallons of chili measured 52 degrees in walk-in cooler where operating temperature determined to be 42; Non-Critical -- 2.
Westview Elementary, 1707 S.W. A St., Richmond, Sept. 8. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
White Castle Systems Inc., 5803 National Road E., Richmond, Aug. 18 follow-up inspection. Critical -- 0; Non-Critical -- 0.
CALIFORNIA: Food inspections, Sept. 15 to 18
26.sep.08
Tulare Advance-Register
Visalia Times-Delta
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/BUSINESS/809260357
Every Friday, the Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register publish, in print and online, reports of inspections at locations where food is prepared or sold. The inspections are performed by the Tulare County Department of Environmental Health Services. The score is based on a point system that rates 97-100 as excellent, 88-96 as good, 76-87 as poor. Below 76 is failing and usually requires, as noted, immediate correction of deficiencies or, in some cases, closure. Some violations are considered major, others minor. Comments listed are for major violations.
Online
The Times-Delta and Advance-Register Web sites contain a searchable database, updated weekly, with all reports back to October 2006. Go to www.VisaliaTimesDelta.com or www.TulareAdvanceRegister.com, click "News," then "Databases," then "Tulare County Restaurant Inspections."
How to make a complaint
Complaint forms are available at the Environmental Health Services office, second floor, Tulare County Government Plaza, 5957 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia. Call 733-6441.
# You have a right to ask restaurants to see a copy of their most recent food inspection report.
Name Address Date Score Comment
Earlimart
La Barca 271 S. State St. 09/18/2008 N/A
Replace the filthy dumpster.
Nagi's Market 592 E. Clay 09/15/2008 N/A
Reinspection regarding violations listed in 9/11/08 inspections report. Additional violation: Provide valid food safety certificate for an employee working at this facility.
Exeter
The Barn 19558 Ave. 296 09/16/2008 88
Observed fly strip hanging in front of oven. Must only hang in non-food areas. Remove ASAP. Observed the shelf under the steamer and the cold table unclean. Observed can opener rusty and unclean. Observed the employees storing drink on prep-table. Must store away from food. Observed the salmon at 45 degrees. Must maintain at 41 degrees. Observed the three-compartment sink not set up. Set up sink to wash, rinse and sanitize, with 200 ppm quart.
Huckleberry Café 1102 W. Visalia Rd 09/17/2008 89
Observed paper towels not in dispenser at men's bathroom. Observed no paper towels at hand-wash station located in the back. Observed breakfast reach-in refrigerator at 43-48 degrees. Must maintain at or below 41 degrees. Observed dishes stored unclean and with wet residue at dish rack. Must store all dishes clean and sanitized and upside down.
Frosty King 279 E. Pine 09/17/2008 84
Observed open bottles of soda on prep table. Must provide straw and lid and be placed in a non-food area. Observed knives stored unclean. Observed build-up where blade meets handle. Store clean and sanitize. Observed soda nozzles with build-up. Maintain clean and sanitized. Must scrub and soak nozzles in sanitizer. Provide hot water at hand-wash sink. Observed the main reach-in at 48 degrees. Maintain at or below 41 degrees. Must service refrigerator. Observed hand-washing at 3-compartment sink. Must wash hands at designated hand-wash station.
McDonald's 1109 W. Visalia Rd. 09/17/2008 94
Observed employee place raw frozen hamburger patties on grill and not wash his hands. Must always wash hands after handling raw products.
Pixley
Best Truck Stop 451 N. Park St. 09/18/2008 93
According to the persons in charge, this facility is not sanitizing equipment. All food-related utensils and equipment must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Provide a combination rinse and sanitizer for the two-compartment sink.
Bob's Auto and Truck Stop 444 E. Court 09/18/2008 93
According to the manager, no sanitizer is being used for washing equipment. All food-related utensils and equipment must be washed, rinsed and sanitized in 100 ppm chlorine sanitizing solution. Containers of baby juice were observed to have expired. Remove all expired food products from the shelf.
Tulare
Burger King 1255 N. Blackstone 09/18/2008 100
No violations.
Chase Mobile Tulare 1275 N. Blackstone 09/18/2008 94
Three-compartment sink was observed to be inaccessible. This sink should be accessible at all times for washing, rinsing and sanitizing food-related equipment.
Big Lots 1277 N. Cherry St. 09/18/2008 100
No violations.
Sierra Mini Mart 1595 E. Bardsley Ave. 09/17/2008 89
An employee's drink was observed without a lid. Maintain a lid and straw on cup. Items were observed laying in the employee handwash sink. Maintain the sink accessible at all times for handwashing purposes.
Superior High School 1105 S. O St. 09/17/2008 95
The towel dispenser located at the employee handwashing sink was observed empty. Provide and maintain adequate supply of towels in dispenser. Hot-water temperature measured 109 degrees. Inadequate. Maintain at minimum of 120 degrees.
Countryside High School 1200 S. Pratt St. 09/17/2008 100
No violations.
Tulare Tech Prep 737 W. Bardsley 09/17/2008 100
No violations.
Mariscos Vallarta 744 W. Inyo St. 09/17/2008 79
An employee was observed washing his hands without soap. Wall-mounted soap dispenser is missing from employee handwash area in kitchen. Install this dispenser and provide adequate supply of soap. Flies were observed inside the facility. Maintain premises free of vermin.
Fruit Y Nieve La Placita 756 W. Inyo St. 09/17/2008 91
According to the owner sanitizer is not being used when washing equipment. All food-related utensils and equipment must be washed, rinsed and sanitized using a sanitizer such as chlorine bleach at 100 ppm minimum. Hot water temperature measured 111 degrees. Inadequate. Maintain at a minimum of 120 degrees.
Rite Aid 110 E. Cross Ave. 09/17/2008 91
The current food-safety certificate is not posted on the premises. Flies were observed in the ice cream section of the floor. Maintain premise free of vermin. The towel dispenser located at the employee handwash sink was observed empty. Temperature of walk-in cooler measured at 46.5 degrees. Maintain at or below 45 degrees.
Dollar Tree #1207 130 E. Cross Ave. 09/17/2008 96
Jars of fruit were observed to have compromised seals. Products were removed. All pre-packaged food must be carefully inspected for signs of adulteration, no labeling, bulged or swollen and sever denting across seams of cans.
Visalia
Taco Bell 421 W. Acequia 09/15/2008 100
No violations.
La Fiesta Burgers 2839 E. Noble 09/15/2008 99
No major violations.
Gil Duyst 76 515 S. Lovers Lane 09/15/2008 98
No major violations.
Hayden's Liquor 531 S. Lovers Lane 09/15/2008 99
No major violations.
Rozie's 831 Lovers Lane 09/15/2008 96
No major violations.
Rick and Nachos II 2233 S. Mooney 09/17/2008 92
Five-door refrigerator measured 45 degrees. Contact repair technician to evaluate and repair. Maximum temperature must never exceed 41 degrees. Minimum hot water temperature must be 120 degrees or higher at all times. Adjust thermostat.
Dairy Queen 2031 S. Mooney Blvd. 09/17/2008 100
No violations.
McDonald's 2231 S. Mooney Blvd. 09/17/2008 100
No violations.
India Gift and Spices 1737 W. Caldwell 09/17/2008 97
No major violations.
Campus Chevron 500 S. Mooney 09/17/2008 99
No violations.
Caffe E Via 520 S. Mooney 09/17/2008 95
No liquid soap in bathroom or main handwashing sink. Maintain adequate supply at all times.
MONTANA: Billings restaurants honored for food safety
26.sep.08
Montana's News Station
http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=9078443
Some Billings area restaurants are being recognized for going above and beyond in their efforts to ensure food safety.
Riverstone Health and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services honored eight food service outlets on Thursday afternoon.
Fuddruckers, Perkins, I-HOP, three Pizza Huts, Vans State Avenue IGA and Highgate Senior Living were each given the Riverstone Health Food Safety Excellence Award.
Six of the eight businesses received the Montana Food Star Award for food safety measures, ranging from Employee Training to reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Jim Carlson has been the executive chef at Highgate Senior Living since the facility opened more than five years ago, but has been working in the food industry for much of his life.
"Restaurants, I've been doing it for, well, better than half the life already. A good 25-30 years" said Carlson. "Something like that...I've lost count."
He admitted to running a tight ship, but says it's a must, especially with his clientele, "It's a clientele that are really prone to disease and illness. So, you have to be very careful. But you have to be careful wherever you're working".
"They're actually just giving you credit for the things that you are doing or should be doing in your kitchen already. It's a recognition for having the standards in place."
Chef Carlson and his kitchen are being recognized for cleanliness. But to him, it's all part of the job.
PENNSYLVANIA: Montco restaurant inspection reports will be online
26.sep.08
Reporter online.com
http://www.thereporteronline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20139830&BRD=2275&PAG=461&
dept_id=662733&rfi=6
On October 1, 2008, the Montgomery County Health Department will make its inspection reports of food service establishments available for the public to view on-line.
Until now, a member of the public wishing to see a report had only two options: to visit the health department in person or to submit a written request for a copy to be sent to them via mail or fax - at a cost. Now the inspection reports of every food service establishment licensed in Montgomery County will be available to everyone at no charge on the health department's web page. The health department's web address is http://health.montcopa.org.
The website will provide inspection information for all of Montgomery County's food service establishments. Visitors to the health department's web page will be able to
search for a particular establishment or groups of establishments by name or municipality. Information can also be sorted alphabetically and by city.
Visitors will be able to view inspection reports dated from April 2008 and there after.
Viewing consists of routine inspection reports, follow-up inspection reports, and complaint inspection reports. There are over 4,000 eating and drinking establishments
in the inspection database. Results will be posted five days after an inspection occurs.
MCHD inspects most food service establishments in the County twice annually. Some examples of what an inspection consists of includes: observing food handling practices, proper sanitizing of equipment and utensils, temperature control of food items and the physical facility.
By posting these inspection reports on the web page, the health department anticipates a general improvement in resident's access to the reports.
For more information contact the Health Department at 610-278-5117.
GEORGIA: Behind the scenes: restaurant health inspections
25.sep.08
NBC Augusta
http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/health/29762359.html
Starting next Thursday night at six, NBC Augusta will bring you a weekly segment showcasing the highest and lowest restaurant inspection scores.
You might say it's a Restaurant Report Card and that's exactly what NBC Augusta is calling it.
It will be a way for you to see how your favorite restaurant faired on its routine inspection.
Keep in mind, the score is based on what inspectors found the day they visited the restaurant.
NBC Augusta's Ashley Campbell will be covering the restaurant report card each week.
NBC Augusta wanted to find out what goes into these inspections before we launch the segment.
Health inspectors in Richmond County break it down into what they call five-risk based factors that are aimed to keep restaurants clean and the food you eat safe.
Monday through Friday health inspectors across Georgia-Carolina visit restaurants to make sure they're following the rules.
"The food professionals know that's the key to avoid foodborne illnesses is by eliminating the five food factors," says Michael Allison with Richmond County Environmental Health.
Allison says the first factor is where restaurants get their food.
Allison says the supplier must be FDA approved.
Once it reaches the restaurant...it's all about preparation and storage.
Allison says all raw meat should avoid the "hot zone” which is any temperature between 41 and 100 degrees.
Another key to food safety is avoiding cross contamination.
"You don't want to cut raw chicken and then go over and cut your tomatoes and onions for your salad," says Allison.
Personal hygiene is also important when handling food.
It can knock four points off a food inspection report.
"In restaurants there's absolutely no bare hand contact with ready to eat foods and employees need to be washing their hands thoroughly,” says Allison.
And when cooking, restaurants should heat chicken and turkey to at least 165 degrees.
Steak should be cooked to at least 145 degrees.
Hamburger meat should be cooked to at least 155 degrees.
It's not just food, inspectors are looking at.
"We want to make sure pots and pans are cleaned properly, no dirt or grime... the equipment is clean because that all can contribute to foodborne illness,” said Allison.
MISSOURI: St. Charles County restaurant inspections
25.sep.08
STLtoday.com
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stcharles/story/7974C9DFE8F9EA4F86257
4CF007EC01F?OpenDocument
St. Charles County inspectors grade restaurants on a numerical scale with 100 being the best score. St. Peters inspectors use the ABC system for grading with A being the best, followed by a numerical rating to reflect the number of demerits. Only the numerical ratings are listed here. Violations are expected to be corrected by the time of the next inspection. Only the more serious infractions are listed here. Occasionally, other comments by inspectors will be listed.
SF, for Smoke Free, designates establishments where smoking is not allowed in the enclosed dining area.
NSF, for Not Smoke Free, means that smoking is allowed, whether throughout the dining area or in a separate section.
ST. PETERS
China Moon, 6132 Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Sept. 18. Score 93. Cloth towels used to cover food product in walk-in cooler. Hood filters soiled with grease. Mops improperly stored, not air drying. Flooring soiled with food debris. Walls soiled with food debris. SF.
Tour 3 Golf Course, 10000 Elm Point Road. Sept. 22. Score 100. No violations. SF.
St. Peters Golf Course, 200-A Salt Lick Road. Sept. 22. Score 97. Can opener blade soiled with food debris. Single service items improperly stored. SF.
T.J's Catering, 22 South Hillview Drive. Sept. 22. Score 98. Soiled linens improperly stored on the floor. Stove top surface dirty. SF.
Elmer's Old Town Tavern, 8 Main Street. Sept. 22. Score 97. Towel dispenser empty in men's restroom. Lower drawer of table top pizza oven soiled with food debris. NSF.
Vista Grande, 3300 Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Sept. 22. Score 95. Fan covers soiled on cooling unit on walk-in cooler. Can opener blade soiled. Interior of reach-in freezer soiled with food debris. Carpet soiled with food debris in dining room. NSF.
Pizza Hut, 7315 Mexico Road. Sept. 22. Score 95. Trash bin not covered properly. Mop improperly stored in mop bucket filled with dirty water, not air drying. Utility carts soiled with food debris. Flooring soiled along baseboards. SF.
Hatfield and McCoys Restaurant, 7337 Mexico Road. Sept. 22. Score 93. Shelving soiled with food debris in walk-in cooler. Fan cover dusty. Mops improperly stored in mop sink, not air drying. Shelving soiled with food debris in prep area. Reach-in freezer soiled with food debris. Gaskets in poor condition on reach-in freezer. Ice scoop improperly stored on top of ice machine. NSF.
Domino's Pizza, Suite A, 309 Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Sept. 22. Score 100. No violations SF.
China Wok, 309 Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Sept. 22. Score 99. Food container soiled with food debris next to fryer. SF.
China Queen III, 1217 Jungermann Road. Sept. 23. Score 97. Mop bucket improperly stored with dirty water. Three compartment sink soiled with food debris. SF.
Stefanina's Express, 1215 Jungermann Road. Sept. 23. Score 98. Wet-stacking food containers, not air drying. Single service items improperly stored. SF.
Quizno's Classic Subs, 1211 Jungermann Road. Sept. 23. Score 100. No violations. SF.
Pizza Hut, 70 Charleston Square. Sept. 23. Score 99. Wet-stacking food containers, not air drying. SF.
Eagles Nest Pub & Grill, 83 Charleston Square. Sept. 23. Score 98. Utensil drawer soiled with food debris. NSF.
Gameday Sports Grill, 73 Charleston Square. Sept. 23. Score 94. Flooring soiled with food debris throughout kitchen. Mop sink soiled. Raw food product improperly stored above bottled beverages in walk-in cooler. Wall soiled behind dishwashing machine. Trash bags piled next to trash bin. NSF.
Imo's Pizza, 51 Charleston Square. Sept. 23. Score 99. A violation was corrected. SF.
Papa John's Pizza, 49 Charleston Square. Sept. 23. Score 98. Employee drink improperly stored on food prep table. SF.
Subway Sandwiches & Salads, 1661 Jungermann Road. Sept. 23. Score 100. No violations. SF.
Silver Moon Saloon, 14 Harvester Square. Sept. 23. Score 99. Lower drawer of table pizza oven soiled with food debris. NSF.
Jack in the Box, 6096 Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Sept. 23. Score 99. A violation was corrected. SF.
Domino's Pizza, 45 Charleston Square. Sept. 23. Score 95. Chemical bottles improperly labeled. SF.
South 94 Bistro, 19 Charlestowne Plaza. Sept. 23. Score 96. Raw food product improperly stored above salad dressing. Can opener blade soiled. NSF.
Teacher's Billiards, 291 Centre Pointe Drive. Sept. 23. Score 95. Mop sink soiled. Single service items improperly stored. Waste receptacle soiled in kitchen. NSF.
Rich and Charlie's Italian Restaurant, 299 Centre Pointe Drive. Sept. 23. Score 94. Ice scoops improperly stored in ice bins. Two can opener blades soiled. Two uncovered employee drinks improperly stored above ice bin. NSF.
Good Tymes Pub, 592 Jungermann Road. Sept. 23. Score 100. No violations. NSF.
Stumpy's House of Bar-B-Que, 620 Jungermann Road. Sept. 23. Score 99. Two fan covers dusty. SF.
West of Hunan, 630 Jungermann Road. Sept. 23. Score 96. Can opener blade soiled. No hand towels provided in employee restroom. SF.
Cecil Whittaker's Pizzeria, 632 Jungermann Road. Sept. 23. Score 98. Exterior of deep fryer soiled. Flooring soiled. NSF.
Fritz's Frozen Custard, 506 Jungermann Road. Sept. 23. Score 100. No violations. SF.
Malone's Grill & Pub, 1320 Triad Center Drive. Sept. 23. Score 95. Towel dispenser empty at employee handwashing sink. Mops improperly stored in mop sink, not air drying. Wet-stacking food containers, not air drying. Flooring soiled near baseboards in kitchen. NSF.
Domino's Pizza, 509 Jungermann Road. Sept. 24. Chemical stored in unlabeledbottle. SF.
Kentucky Fried Chicken, 4118 Mexico Road. Sept. 24. Score 93. Chemicals stored in improperly labeled bottles. Can opener blade soiled. SF.
Comedy Forum, 4141 Cloverleaf Drive North. Sept. 24. Score 100. No violations. NSF.
Omni Sportsplex II, 4160 Industrial Drive. Sept. 24. Score 97. Lower tray of pizza oven soiled with food debris. Exterior of beverage station soiled. SF.
Joe's Crabshack, 5856 Suemandy Drive. Sept. 24. Score 97. Wet-stacking food containers. Mop bucket improperly stored with dirty water. Forks and spoons improperly stored. NSF.
Shane and Wiese's Bar & Grill, 4 Main Street. Sept. 24. Score 98. Raw food product improperly stored in reach-in cooler. NSF.
Planet Fun, 5849 Suemandy Drive. Sept. 24. Score 100. No violations. SF.
Imo's Pizza, 595 Starwood. Sept. 23. Score 99. Ice scoop improperly stored in ice bin. SF.
Lucky Sushi House, 222 Mid Rivers Center. Sept. 24. Score 97. Flooring soiled throughout kitchen. Shelving soiled with food debris in kitchen. Hood filters soiled. SF.
Thai Kitchen, 3899 Veterans Memorial Parkway. Sept. 24. Score 100. No violations. SF.
Papa John's Pizza, 521 Jungermann Road. Sept. 24. Score 98. Trash bin not covered properly. SF.
Patty's Catering Service, 2129 Parkway Drive. Sept. 24. Score 99. Plastic single service items improperly stored. NSF.
Old Hickory Golf Club, 1 Dye Club Drive. Sept. 24. Score 96. Flooring soiled with food debris in kitchen. Wet-stacking food containers, not air drying. Pan of food product uncovered in walk-in cooler. Uncovered bulk food bin in storage room. NSF.
Gragnani's Bistro, 235 Jungermann Road. Sept. 24. Score 93. Interior base of reach-in refrigerator soiled with food debris. Back splash soiled on soda dispenser. Food containers improperly stored on the floor in walk-in cooler. Towel dispenser empty at employee handwashing sink. SF.
TENNESSEE: Restaurant ratings
25.sep.08
The Leaf Chronicle
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080925/COMMUNITY/809250312
The following are the Montgomery County Health Department's food service establishment inspection scores and the Department of Agriculture's retail establishment scores.
AUG. 29
*Hananoki Japanese Steakhouse, 2111 Lowes Drive, 57, follow-up inspection required due to violations involving potentially hazardous food meeting temperature requirements during storage, preparation, display, service and/or transportation; sanitization rinse cleanliness, temperature, concentration, exposure time, equipment, utensil sanitization; water source, safe, hot and cold under pressure; number, convenience, accessibility, design, installation of toilet and handwashing facilities; proper storage, labeling, usage of toxic items.
*Burritos Fresh Mexican Restaurant, 1911 Fort Campbell Blvd, 79, complete.
*The Love Development, Too, 507 Lafayette Road, 92, complete.
*Speakeasy, 1991 Fort Campbell Blvd., 83, complete.
SEPT. 2
*Burger King, 2227 Madison St., 91, complete.
*Tropicana Restaurant, 233-A Tiny Town Road, 82, complete.
*McDonald's, 724 Sango Road, 69, follow-up inspection required due to violations involving hand washing and cleanliness; good hygienic practices; sewage and waste water disposal; number, convenience, accessibility, design, installation of toilet and handwashing facilities.
SEPT. 3
*Manzanillo Mexican Restaurant, 3373 S Highway 41-A, 92, complete.
*Northeast Middle School Cafeteria, 3703 Trenton Road, 92, complete.
*New China Buffet & Grill No. 2, 664 N Riverside Drive, 81, complete.
*St. Mary's Preschool, 740 Franklin St., 97, complete.
US: Hospitals to dirty-handed workers: we’ll be watching you
23.sep.08
Wall Street Journal
Laura Landro
http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/09/23/hospitals-to-dirty-handed-workers-well-be-watching-you/
When it comes to preventing infections in hospitals, one of the toughest challenges is getting health-care workers to wash their hands. Seems basic, but studies show compliance with hygiene rules is often less than 40%.
Now a company called Arrowsight is bringing to bear a Big Brotherish solution that has worked in food processing and manufacturing plants: a video surveillance system that measures adherence to hand-washing rules and provides hospitals with quick feedback on the laggards.
To pitch the system to hospitals, Arrowsight is tapping Suzanne Delbanco, 40, who most recently was CEO of the Leapfrog Group, the national coalition of large health-care purchasers that includes heavyweights like General Motors and Boeing. Leapfrog, created in 2000, aims to prod hospitals to provide safer, higher-quality care and reward them for a better job with payment incentives.
Though Arrowsight can’t yet say what it will charge for the watchdog service, Delbanco tells the Health Blog the company is working with a major academic medical center that she declined to name on a major pilot program. In an earlier pilot, launched in January of 2007, the company says its hospital video auditing service boosted hand-hygiene compliance to 90% from 38% in three months. The improvement was durable, remaining above 90% for twelve months running.
Hospitals have fresh incentive to at least consider such steps: Medicare and many private insurers won’t pay for the extra costs of treating preventable infections starting next October.
“There are lots of things that can only be measured visually that we hope to be able to use this methodology for,” such as protocols requiring nurses to turn patients at risk of bedsores on a regular basis and to follow specific rules for placing central lines and urinary tract catheters, Delbanco says.
The doctor’s hands are germ-free. The scrubs too?
23.sep.08
New York Times
Tara Parker-Pope
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/23/health/23well.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1222149607-
x5OSySZnIiekqSTInfv75w
Barfblog Post
Many hospitals have stepped up efforts to encourage regular hand washing by doctors. But what about their clothes?
Amid growing concerns about hospital infections and a rise in drug-resistant bacteria, the attire of doctors, nurses and other health care workers — worn both inside and outside the hospital — is getting more attention. While infection control experts have published extensive research on the benefits of hand washing and equipment sterilization in hospitals, little is known about the role that ties, white coats, long sleeves and soiled scrubs play in the spread of bacteria.
The discussion was reignited this year when the British National Health Service imposed a “bare below the elbows” rule barring doctors from wearing ties and long sleeves, both of which are known to accumulate germs as doctors move from patient to patient.
But while some data suggest that doctors’ garments are crawling with germs, there’s no evidence that clothing plays a role in the spread of hospital infections. And some researchers report that patients have less confidence in a doctor whose attire is casual. This month, the medical journal BJU International cited the lack of data in questioning the validity of the new British dress code.
Hospital rules typically encourage workers to change out of soiled scrubs before leaving, but infection control experts say enforcement can be lax. Doctors and nurses can often be seen wearing scrubs on subways and in grocery stores.
Ann Marie Pettis, director of infection prevention for the University of Rochester Medical Center, says most hospitals are focusing on hand washing and equipment sterilization, which are proven methods known to reduce the spread of infection. But she adds that her hospital, like many others, has a policy against wearing scrub attire to and from work, even though there is no real evidence that dirty scrubs pose a risk to people in the community.
NOVA SCOTIA: Restaurant inspection records to go online
22.sep.08
Metro
http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/115477
The provincial agriculture department is close to getting restaurant inspection records online.
A spokeswoman for the department said the site would be up and running by early October, as staff has been working to iron out the last details.
Setting up the site, which will host restaurant inspection results for two years, will cost around $500,000, and the government will require one full-time staffer to run it.
OHIO: Restaurant inspection report
22.sep.08
Newark Advocate
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20080922/NEWS01/809220306/1002
Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sept. 1, 165 E. Broad St., Pataskala, standard inspection with violations. 1. Inoperable ice machine in prep area needs repaired as necessary to achieve proper operation. 2. Door gaskets and edge of door of Kolpak chicken walk-in need cleaned to remove mold buildup. 3. Door handle of Kolpak chicken walk-in needs cleaned to remove gunk buildup. 4. Remove ice buildup on evaporator of Kolpak walk-in freezer. 5. Remove ice buildup on floor of Kolpak walk-in freezer. 6. Clean floor of Kolpak walk-in freezer of food and debris. 7. Replace torn, damaged door gaskets of Traulsen two-door freezer. 8. Clean interior of Traulsen two-door freezer. 9. Clean mold buildup from door gasket on Delfield single-door freezer. 10. Replace cracked light shield by mop sink. 11. Replace burnt out lights throughout facility so all lights operate properly. 12. Replace broke cove base in walk-in coolers (both units). 13. Repair/replace leaking faucet at mop sink. 14. Clean prep metal trays to remove debris buildup. 15. Clean walls in rear of rear dry storage to remove cobwebs/dust buildup. 16. Clean cabinet doors of grime buildup in rear dry storage. 17. Clean floor thoroughly under wire rock shelving/work area across from three-bay sink. 18. Clean floor under three-bay sink to remove food debris. 19. Clean wall above wire rack to remove food splatters. 20. Behind fryer area, clean floor, wall, piping to remove grease accumulation. 21. Clean return air grills and accessible piping in rear area to remove dust/debris buildup. 22. Clean return air grill over prep table are to remove dust buildup. 23. Remove scratcher pads from under mixer legs. 24. Remove old electric motor and ballast stored above single service items. 25. Damaged, cracked plasticware needs discarded. 26. Potential for splash from rear hand sink to hit breading table next to hand sink.
# Domino's Pizza, Sept. 10, 680 Corylus Drive, Suite E, Pataskala, standard inspection with violations. 1. Clean fan guards in walk-in cooler to remove dust/debris buildup. 2. Clean floor in walk-in cooler under shelves to remove food debris. 3. Clean door surfaces inside and out to remove buildup. 4. Clean thoroughly interior of Delfield three-door cooler. 5. Clean interior of plastic storage container small lids stored in. 6. Repair/replace loose door hinges on right-hand door of Delfield three-door prep cooler. 7. Replace torn, damaged door gaskets on all three doors on unit of Delfield three-door prep cooler. 8. Replace cracked inner door liners on left-hand and right-hand doors. 9. Resurface/replace worn cutting board on Continental prep cooler. 10. Dumpster lids found open. 11. Clean air return grills to remove dust buildup. 12. Clean air supply air diffusers to remove dust. 13. Store delivery bags six inches off floor.
# All Star Preschool, Sept. 11, 13455 Bolen Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Panther Pizza, Sept. 11, 2448 W. High St., Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Interior of ice cream cooler has food splash. 2. Exterior of flour bins has buildup. 3. Counter under meat slicer has food particles.
# The Event Center, Sept. 11, 344 Darla Drive NE, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Hillcrest Golf Course, Sept. 11, 8866 Sportsman Club Road, Johnstown, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Village View Golf Course, Sept. 11, 210 S. Main St., Croton, standard inspection with violations. 1. Norge refrigerator found at 45 degrees during inspection.
# St. Albans Golf Course, Sept. 11, 3833 Northridge Road, Alexandria, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# AVI Food Systems, Sept. 12, 3700 Hebron Road, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# AVI Food Systems, Sept. 12, 511-522 Milliken Drive, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# AVI Food Systems, Sept. 12, 19 Industrial Parkway, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# AVI Food Systems, Sept. 12, 1515 Hebron Road, Heath, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# AVI Food Systems, Sept. 12, 522 Milliken Drive, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sept. 10, 165 E. Broad St., Pataskala, complaint inspection, no violations reported.
# Avondale Marina and Pizza, Sept. 9, 52 Brookdale Lane, Thornville, consultation inspection, no violations reported.
# T's Family Restaurant, Sept. 9, 10677 Jacksontown Road, Thornville, standard inspection with violations. 1. Door seal on food prep cooler is torn. 2. Interior of oven has food splash.
# Duchess Shoppe No. 72, Sept. 9, 10638 Jacksontown Road, Thornville, standard inspection with violations. 1. Lights are not covered over three bay sink.
# Thornville Shell Food Mart, Sept. 9, 10583 Jacksontown Road, Thornville, standard inspection with violations. 1. No paper towels in the men's restroom. 2. Lights are not covered in men's and women's restrooms.
# Bocock's Dairy Hut, Sept. 9, 43 S. Main St., Pataskala, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Jersey Baptist Church, Sept. 9, 13260 Morse Road, Pataskala, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# American Legion Post No. 52, Sept. 10, 10 S. Washington St., Utica, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# The Barn Pub and Family Restaurant, Sept. 10, 7467 Mount Vernon Road, St. Louisville, standard inspection with violations. 1. Door seal on Norse cooler is torn.
# Utica Nursing Home, Sept. 10, 233 N. Main St., Utica, standard inspection with violations. 1. Pork roast thawing at room temperature in kitchen. 2. No color chart for chlorine sanitizer in three-bay sink. 3. Top of hot food holding unit is dirty. 4. Interior of microwave has food splash. 5. Shelves in kitchen where dry food is stored has food particles. 6. Wood boards on three-bay sink.
# World of Wonderment Child Development No. 3, Sept. 10, 8500 Columbia Road, Pataskala, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# World of Wonderment Child Development No. 2, Sept. 10, 395 High St., Pataskala, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# The Carryout, Sept. 10, 122 N. Washington St., Utica, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Brucker & Kishler Funeral Home, Sept. 9, 985 N. 21st St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Daisy's Diner, Sept. 9, 3 W. Church St., Newark, standard inspection with violation. 1. Food particles have collected on cart on wheels.
# The Wonder Years, Sept. 10, 1621 N. 21st St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Certified Oil Company No. 72, Sept. 10, 352 W. Church St., Newark, standard inspection with violation. 1. Lids on Dumpster are open.
# Child of God Preschool, Sept. 10, 88 N. Fifth St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# JEM at Church Street, Sept. 10, 490 Highland Blvd., Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Employees using hand sink to rinse utensils. 2. Hand sink is clogged. 3. Dishwasher is out of sanitizer. 4. No test strips for sanitizer.
# The Party House Carryout, Sept. 10, 338 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# NASA Soccer, Sept. 10, 600 Baker Blvd., Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. No thermometer in cold tables.
# Licking Spring Trout and Golf Club House, Sept. 10, 2250 Horns Hill Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Longaberger Golf Club Half Way House, Sept. 15, 1 Long Drive, Nashport, standard inspection with violations. 1. No thermometer in Perlick and two McCall refrigerators. 2. No test strips for sanitizer in three-bay sink. 3. Counter by microwave is broken. 4. No test strips for sanitizer at three-bay sink. 5. Food scoops and knife stored in container of stagnant water.
# Longaberger Golf Club, Sept. 15, 1 Long Drive, Nashport, standard inspection with violations. 1. Dishwasher machine in kitchen leaks. 2. No cover on lights in walk-in cooler in basement. 3. Light not working in dry food storage room. 4. Light bulb not working for vent hood. 5. Employee working with food product on stove in kitchen with no hat or hair net. 6. Food in cooler out of date.
# Newark Catholic High School, Sept. 11, 1 Green Wave Drive, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Miller Elementary, Sept. 11, 1350 Granville Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# ES Weiant, Sept. 11, 116 N. 23rd St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Newark City Parks Department-Catfish Derby, Sept. 12, 1500 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Fallsburg Pizza, Sept. 12, 11550 Fallsburg Road, Frazeysburg, standard inspection with violations. 1. Thermometer in Delfield cooler reads 60 degrees F. 2. No metal stem thermometer. 3. Floor in kitchen is rough in several places. 4. Lights not working above pizza oven.
# Purity Market, Sept. 12, 10316 Purity Road NE, St. Louisville, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Rocky Fork Grocery and Pizza, Sept. 12, 7270 Fallsburg Road, Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Employee not wearing hat or hair net working with ready to eat food. 2. Tops of reach-in freezers have dirt. 3. No covering for floor/wall joints.
# Licking Valley Elementary Festival, Sept. 12, 1379 Licking Valley Road, Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Dairy Isle No. 2, Sept. 9, 527 E. Main St., Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Napkin used to plug hole on lid of ice cream unit.
# Buckeye Winery, Sept. 9, 7 N. Third St., Newark, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Dairy Isle No. 1, Sept. 9, 471 W. Church St., Newark, standard inspection with violations. One unreadable violation.
TEXAS: Restaurant checks: Inspection results available online
22.sep.08
El Paso Times
http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_10524799
Restaurant-inspection information is now being posted online by the city of El Paso Public Health Department.
Such information should have been available long ago, but, as they say, better late than never.
It's incredible that in the past this information was available only through the hassle of filing a public-records request. That didn't serve the interests of open government very well and failed the test of keeping the public in the loop.
People who go out to eat, whether it be once a month or 10 times a week, have a right to know how the restaurants they frequent fared in recent inspections and what their track records are over a period of time.
According to the Public Health Department's Web site, "Inspections conducted focus on safe food-handling practices."
That's exactly what people are relying on when they dine out and what restaurants should always seek to attain. People going to an eatery go with the expectation of cleanliness and safe food-handling practices.
This is an example of constituent-friendly government.
As David Sublasky, manager of the department's food inspection program, said, "We've had no real negative feedback. I think it's awesome and it works well. I think it's a great tool for anyone to review how their favorite eatery performs."
Going out to eat? Check on your destination at www.elpasotexas.gov and click on the restaurant inspections link on the right.
ARIZONA: Health department shuts down ABC Buffet
21.sep.08
The Kingman Daily Miner
Aaron Royster
http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=17592
KINGMAN -- For the second time this month, the Mohave County Department of Public Health has closed a Kingman restaurant due to an insect infestation.
At 11 a.m. on Wednesday, ABC Buffet, 2890 E. Andy Devine Ave., was closed with an "Unacceptable" rating for critical violations found during a routine restaurant inspection.
On Tuesday, the inspector found live and dead cockroaches in all stages of development, as well as ants.
The restaurant cannot reopen until they correct the violations, according to public records obtained by the Miner.
The restaurant was still closed on Friday, when calls to the business went unanswered.
