Marion County restaurant inspections: critical violations

The following restaurant inspections with critical violations were conducted by Marion Public Health between Jan. 10 and Jan. 16:

● Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 1842 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road, Marion, Jan. 10. Handwashing sink is being used for purposes other than handwashing (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed a coffee filter holder in the kitchen hand sink. TCS foods not being hot held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected).

Observed two of the hot holding units in the breakfast serving area with food temperatures below 135 degrees. Person in charge (PIC) will use time as a public health control and discard the food after the breakfast serving time which consists of 3 hours. Improper backflow prevention device installed on a water supply system (critical). Did not observe a backflow prevention device on the mop sink.

● Long John Silver's #70045, 1560 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road, Marion, Jan. 10. Equipment food-contact surfaces or utensils are unclean (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed a build-up of debris on the can opener and on the spatula hanging on the clean utensil hook above the three-bay sink. Improper use of time as a public health control - 4 hours (critical repeat, corrected). Observed one container of hush puppy mix sitting out at room temperature not labeled with a date and time. Unapproved chemical sanitizer used on food contact surfaces (critical, corrected).

Observed quat sanitizer below the approved concentration in the three-bay sink and sanitizer buckets due to the sanitizer dispenser not dispensing enough sanitizer. PIC remade the sanitizer and will have food employees continue to hand mix the sanitizer until the dispenser has been repaired.

● Bucci's Italian Scratch Kitchen, 320 - 322 W. Center St., Marion, Jan. 11. PIC unable to demonstrate knowledge of temperatures and times for cooling (critical repeat, corrected during inspection). PIC was unable to state the temperature requirements for proper cooling of TCS foods. PIC was reminded of the cooling requirements and was also asked to demonstrate proper cooling methods during the inspection. Improper cooling of TCS food (critical repeat, corrected). Observed containers of recently prepared chicken soup and spinach dip in deep, covered containers that were placed in the walk-in cooler immediately after cooking. PIC used an ice paddle to cool the chicken soup and an ice bath to cool the spinach dip. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical repeat, corrected).

Observed a container of sausage without a date mark as well as several TCS food containers with date ranges that exceed seven days. PIC discarded the sausage and re-dated the food containers with improper date ranges. Ready-to-eat, TCS food not properly discarded when required (critical repeat, corrected). Observed several containers of TCS foods in the coolers past their seven-day hold time. PIC discarded the food. Unapproved chemical sanitizer used on food contact surfaces (critical repeat, corrected).

Observed quat sanitizer in the sanitizer buckets below the approved concentration due to the sanitizer dispenser not dispensing enough sanitizer and the facility running out of sanitizer tablets. PIC was shown how to properly hand mix sanitizer with water to the approved concentration and was told to continue hand mixing until the dispenser has been repaired. Pasteurized eggs not used when required (critical, corrected). PIC stated that raw eggs not pasteurized were used to make the house-made Caesar dressing. PIC was told pasteurized raw shell eggs or pasteurized liquid eggs must be used instead.

● Wingate by Wyndham, 227 James Way, Marion, Jan. 12. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed a package of raw eggs above a box of packaged pre-cooked eggs. PIC discarded the raw eggs. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected). Observed waffle mix above 41 degrees in the lobby breakfast area. PIC discarded the waffle mix.

● Bowstring Bar & Grill, 109 N. Water St., Caledonia, Jan. 12. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical). Observed cream chicken soup and precooked wings not date marked.

● Iron Chef, 1418 Mt. Vernon Ave., Marion, Jan. 12. Improper bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat (RTE) foods (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed food employee handling asparagus without gloves. Food employee was asked to discard the asparagus. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected). Observed pans of raw chicken being stacked above raw beef in the walk-in cooler as well as a pan of raw meat being stacked on top of a pan of bean sprouts on the hibachi chef cart. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected).

Observed yum yum sauce and egg yolk sauce above 41 degrees on the hibachi chef cart. Raw shell eggs not maintained at 45 degrees or below (critical, corrected). Observed raw shell eggs above 45 degrees on the hibachi chef cart. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical, corrected). Observed sauces not date marked in the walk-in cooler and seaweed salad not date marked in the reach-in cooler. Acidified white rice was not checked for pH (critical, corrected). Observed that the facility had not checked the pH of the acidified rice the day of the inspection due to running out of distilled water. PIC discarded the rice..

● Perkins Family Restaurant, 1197 Mt. Vernon Ave., Marion, Jan. 12. PIC unable to demonstrate knowledge of temperatures and times for cooling of TCS foods (critical, corrected during inspection). Handwashing sink is being used for purposes other than handwashing (critical, corrected). Observed the hand sink in the service area being used as a dump sink. Improper cooling of TCS food (critical repeat, corrected). Observed a large pan of rice placed in the walk-in cooler immediately after it was cooked. PIC had a food employee put the rice in shallow pans on an ice bath for proper cooling. TCS foods not being hot held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected).

Observed the hot holding cabinet keeping food below 135 degrees. PIC discarded the food. Unapproved chemical sanitizer used on food contact surfaces (critical repeat, corrected). Observed quat sanitizer level in the sanitizer buckets above the approved concentration due to the sanitizer dispenser dispensing too much sanitizer. PIC diluted the sanitizer with water and will continue until the dispenser has been repaired.

● OK Café, 734 E. Center St., Marion, Jan. 16. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical repeat, corrected during inspection). Observed several items with no date mark (pre-made subs, cut tomatoes and onions, pork, etc.). PIC dated items and disposed of the pork that was past the seven days. Ready-to-eat, TCS food not properly discarded when required (critical, corrected).

Observed bologna in reach-in cooler with an expired date. PIC disposed of bologna. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical repeat, corrected). Observed ham with a date made of Jan. 13 and date dispose of Jan. 20. The date made counts as day one, per code.

● Coffee and Crumb Café, 100 Executive Drive, Marion, Jan. 16. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed shredded cheese on the counter over 41 degrees. Improper backflow prevention device installed on a water supply system (critical). Observed a damaged backflow prevention device on the mop sink.

● Primrose Retirement Community of Marion, 1550 Wellness Drive, Marion, Jan. 16. Chlorine sanitizing solution at incorrect temperature and/or concentration (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed the mechanical dishwasher dispensing chlorine sanitizer below the approved concentration. PIC will have food employees sanitize washed dishes in the three-bay sink until the dishwasher has been repaired. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected).

Observed several TCS food containers sitting on the prep counter that were above 41 degrees. PIC discarded the food. Ready-to-eat, TCS food not properly discarded when required (critical, corrected). Observed several food containers past their hold time. PIC discarded the food. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical, corrected). Observed several food containers in the cooler that were not date marked. Unapproved chemical sanitizer used on food contact surfaces (critical, corrected).

Observed the sanitizer dispenser dispensing sanitizer below the approved concentration. PIC remade the sanitizer by hand mixing it with water and will continue to do so until the dispenser has been repaired.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Food safety inspections with critical violations Jan. 10-16