Health and Safety Violations Found at Restaurants in Eastern Iowa
Health and safety inspections were conducted at various food venues in Eastern Iowa last week, and several establishments were found to be in violation of food safety laws.
Non-Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations
A restaurant in Waterloo was found to have several violations. An inspector discovered that there was no established protocol for handling employee sickness or cleaning up bodily fluids. Additionally, a broken cooling unit was found to be leaking fluid into food items stored in an open container. The inspector also found food items in the cooler that were stored for more than a day without a date label.
Also noted were hygiene issues, such as a magnetic knife holder and a microwave with food debris buildup. The establishment's handwashing sink also lacked paper towels, which is a requirement for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
Temperature Violations at a Chinese Restaurant
A Chinese restaurant in Decorah was cited for temperature control issues. A number of food items from the buffet were not kept at the required minimum temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, cut melon from the cold buffet line was found to be above the maximum safe temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The inspector also observed handwashing sinks being used to fill water pitchers and an unlabeled bleach sanitizer spray bottle.
Improper Food Storage and Expiration
Another eatery in Coralville was also found to have food safety violations. Raw beef was stored above ready-to-eat taco shells in a cooler, posing a risk of cross-contamination. Homemade foods were also found to have been stored past the 7-day limit, and a sanitizer solution was found to be above the safe concentration of 400 parts per million.
Lack of Proper Hygiene Procedures
In North Liberty, a bakery and kitchen did not have a procedure for cleaning up vomit and diarrhea. The handwashing sink was blocked by equipment and there was no signage indicating handwashing procedures.
Failure to Adhere to Safe Handling Practices
A restaurant in Cedar Rapids did not have a person in charge at the start of the inspection and staff were not observed washing their hands properly. Raw meat was stored under ready-to-eat food items, and several temperature-controlled foods were stored at room temperature.
Unsafe Thawing and Storage Practices
In Iowa City, a Thai restaurant was found to be thawing raw chicken and beef together in standing water in the same sink. Raw shrimp in the cooler was above the safe temperature, and raw eggs were stored at room temperature. Several prepared foods were not labeled with dates.
Issues with Sanitizer Solutions and Employee Health Reports
Several other establishments were cited for various violations, including incorrect sanitizer concentrations, lack of employee health reporting forms, and blocked handwashing sinks. It's clear that maintaining food safety standards is crucial for the health and well-being of customers.
It's important to note that these reports are snapshots of a specific time and many of these issues may have been corrected immediately after the inspection.
Health and safety inspections were conducted at various food venues in Eastern Iowa last week, and several establishments were found to be in violation of food safety laws.
Non-Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations
A restaurant in Waterloo was found to have several violations. An inspector discovered that there was no established protocol for handling employee sickness or cleaning up bodily fluids. Additionally, a broken cooling unit was found to be leaking fluid into food items stored in an open container. The inspector also found food items in the cooler that were stored for more than a day without a date label.
Also noted were hygiene issues, such as a magnetic knife holder and a microwave with food debris buildup. The establishment's handwashing sink also lacked paper towels, which is a requirement for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
Temperature Violations at a Chinese Restaurant
A Chinese restaurant in Decorah was cited for temperature control issues. A number of food items from the buffet were not kept at the required minimum temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, cut melon from the cold buffet line was found to be above the maximum safe temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The inspector also observed handwashing sinks being used to fill water pitchers and an unlabeled bleach sanitizer spray bottle.
Improper Food Storage and Expiration
Another eatery in Coralville was also found to have food safety violations. Raw beef was stored above ready-to-eat taco shells in a cooler, posing a risk of cross-contamination. Homemade foods were also found to have been stored past the 7-day limit, and a sanitizer solution was found to be above the safe concentration of 400 parts per million.
Lack of Proper Hygiene Procedures
In North Liberty, a bakery and kitchen did not have a procedure for cleaning up vomit and diarrhea. The handwashing sink was blocked by equipment and there was no signage indicating handwashing procedures.
Failure to Adhere to Safe Handling Practices
A restaurant in Cedar Rapids did not have a person in charge at the start of the inspection and staff were not observed washing their hands properly. Raw meat was stored under ready-to-eat food items, and several temperature-controlled foods were stored at room temperature.
Unsafe Thawing and Storage Practices
In Iowa City, a Thai restaurant was found to be thawing raw chicken and beef together in standing water in the same sink. Raw shrimp in the cooler was above the safe temperature, and raw eggs were stored at room temperature. Several prepared foods were not labeled with dates.
Issues with Sanitizer Solutions and Employee Health Reports
Several other establishments were cited for various violations, including incorrect sanitizer concentrations, lack of employee health reporting forms, and blocked handwashing sinks. It's clear that maintaining food safety standards is crucial for the health and well-being of customers.
It's important to note that these reports are snapshots of a specific time and many of these issues may have been corrected immediately after the inspection.