Flies, soiled equipment, pink and black substances on machines and rodent feces found in Siouxland establishments.
By Gary Dickson, Editor – Siouxland Observer
State, city and county food inspectors have cited Iowa and South Dakota restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations in recent weeks, including dirty facilities, gunk on meat slicers, mold in the ice machine, handling food with bare hands, repeat violations and rodents marching in.
The findings are reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level. South Dakota food establishment inspections are handled by the South Dakota Department of Health. Listed below are some of the findings that stem from inspections at Siouxland restaurants and convenience stores over the past eight weeks or so.
The state inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a “snapshot” in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment.
For a more complete list of all inspections, along with additional details on each of the inspections listed below, visit the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing website. You can visit the South Dakota Department of Health here.
Bailey’s Convenience Tri View, 1203 Tri View Ave., Sioux City – During an Aug. 23 inspection by the Siouxland Health District, this establishment was cited for 11 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number for a convenience store. The inspector observed that mozzarella sticks were left sitting out at room temperature (70 degrees), and that other fried food items offered for sale in the store’s hot-holding unit ranged from 117 to 124 degrees, which was not hot enough to ensure their safety. The staff agreed to discard all of the items.
The inspector also noted that pizza toppings in the food-prep cooler were not marked with any dates to ensure freshness and safety, and the “ice machine chute was visibly soiled with a black and pink” substance of some kind.
In addition, the staff reported washing the food equipment used for preparing time- and temperature-controlled items only once daily, and that none of the equipment was being sanitized after washing. The inspector also reported that the staff was using the handwashing sink, which was visibly soiled, to clean and dump dishes.
“Several flies present in the establishment,” the inspector reported, adding that there was a discussion with the owner concerning repeat violations, the improper storage of chemicals, proper dishwashing, the frequency of cleaning and the necessity of date-marking the food. The store was last inspected in August 2021, according to state records.
Choice Cut, Interstate 29 and Hwy 105, Jefferson, S.D. – During an Aug. 12 inspection by the S.D. Department of Health, a food service inspector found 11 violations. It was observed that an ice cream scoop was stored on top of a dirty machine rather than in a clean place between uses. Also, food was not marked or identified within which it must be cooked. Staff stated they were using time as a control. Prepared sandwiches in hot-hold for customers’ self-serve were not labeled for the time of discard. Refrigerated ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food was not properly date-marked.
The inspector also observed that the food contact surface on the meat slicer was not disassembled for proper cleaner. The slicer was found with food debris. The microwave in the kitchen was also found with food debris in it, indicating a need for better cleaning between uses. The soda fountain’s nozzles and ice dispenser had buildup that showed it hadn’t been properly cleaned and/or as frequently as required. Scoops stored above the prep table were not inverted to prevent contamination. Dirty dishes were found in the handwashing sink at the beginning of the inspection. The women’s restroom did not contain at least one covered waste receptacle.
The physical facilities were not clean — e.g. the vents and ceiling tiles above the food prep area were collecting food and debris — and need to be cleaned more often. Poisonous material such as bug repellant was found stored on the same shelf with food items and above single use items. Poisonous/toxic items need to be stored away from food service items. Rodent feces were found in the cupboard under the slicer in the dish area and on shelving with single-use items. A pest management service should be utilized to maintain control. Contaminated single-use items should be disposed of. The inspector recommended using plastic storage units for single-use items such as napkins until the rodent problem is under control.
Fresh Horses Saloon, 308 Willow St., Harrisburg, S.D. – An inspector from the S.D. Department of Health observed during a July 31 visit that a food item in the establishment’s walk-in cooler was adulterated. Specifically, there was questionable growth on salsa and multiple other containers in the cooler. The inspector said they all needed to be removed and discarded immediately. She also recommended the establishment manager sort through all containers in the walk-in cooler and discard all unlabeled and expired contents.
The inspector also observed a box of food being stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler. The food should be stored in a clean, dry location a minimum of six inches above the floor. There was also a rotting green pepper in the establishment’s mixer. The inspector requested the pepper be removed. The large can opener needed to be cleaned and it was recommended it be cleaned more often. Soup spoons, spatulas and scoops need to be covered or inverted during storage. Single-use lids were observed on the floor in the back storage where they weren’t protected from contamination. Also, hand soap was stored above pizza boxes on the shelf creating a risk of contamination.
Also contributing to this report was reporting by Clark Kauffman of the Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The Siouxland Observer 