LANSING — When county health inspectors visit local restaurants, they document problems that need to be resolved to meet standards set by Michigan food codes and laws.
The most serious problems are considered priority violations, which present potential health risks and must be corrected immediately. Violations of priority fundamentals do not present immediate health risks, but must be corrected in a timely manner. Consequently, inspections and follow-up reports can take place.
In most cases, violations are corrected and this information is not an indication that violations at any establishment are still an ongoing problem.
Here are the most serious violations committed by restaurants in Ingham County during the last two weeks of July. Reports for the first two weeks were published earlier this month.
Two priority violations and one priority ground violation were found in:
Jato’s Pizzeria1640 Haslett Road, Haslett
“There is a direct connection between the sewer system and a drain from the wash and sanitize compartments of the three-compartment sink. Correction: Design the sewer system in a way that prevents a direct connection between the sewer system and the drain from which food is placed. Cut/lift the drain line to provide adequate air space above the sink’s flood edge.” With some exceptions, state law indicates that “there may be no direct connection between the SEWER system and a drain from EQUIPMENT in which FOOD, portable EQUIPMENT or UTENSIL is placed.” An employee’s tobacco products were stored on top of flour sacks and empty pizza boxes. Fixed. The chemical spray bottles were not labeled with the contents. Fixed.
Two priority violations were found in:
United Brethren Church of Eden1938 Eden Road, Mason
A test kit for “Quintennial Ammonium” was not available, and a dishwasher could not reach more than 160 F and had no disinfectant. “Fix: Adjust the water temperature so the hot water is 180 degrees F or higher, or have the unit serviced immediately.”
One priority violation and three priority fundamental violations were found in:
Marriott Courtyard2710 Lake Lansing Road, Lansing
A three-door refrigerator in the front laundry area was at 70 degrees F and unlit. An inspector ordered the egg, cheese and bacon wraps to be discarded.
A priority violation and a priority ground were found in:
Aloha cooking350 Albert Ave., East Lansing
Disinfectant was not being distributed properly in the dishwasher. The utensils have been damaged from use and are not easy to clean.
Lucky Steakhouse3554 Okemos Road, Okemos
“Chemical sanitizing concentration of chlorine observed in kitchen dishwasher at less than 10 ppm (parts per million) as tested today. … Correct by ensuring dishwasher is sanitizing with chlorine at a level of 50 -100 ppm.”
A priority violation was found in:
Asian Flavor132 S. Cedar St., Mason
Meat and vegetables in the prep cooler were not registering at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. “Repair may be necessary.”
Coral Gables2838 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing
At least one dishwasher was not sanitizing properly and dishes were not being sanitized. Fixed.
Kentucky Fried Chicken6600 S. Cedar St., Lansing
Coleslaw and shredded cheese were observed in cold holding unit, on ice, at 50-56 degrees F, above the cold standard of 41 degrees F or below.
Imperial Garden, 147 W. Maple St., Mason
“Food reading in prep cooler 47 F to 49 F, ambient air temperature 49 F,” which is above the cold standard of 41 degrees F or less for potentially hazardous foods.
Medina’s Take Out Mexican Restaurant123 W. Main St., Stockbridge
Food in prep cooler kept between 33 and 36 degrees F. Equipment may need repair. “The PIC is aware that it needs to use time as a check until appropriate repairs are made.”
New Daily Bagel309 S. Washington Square, Lansing
The sliced cheese in the cooler was being kept cold at 44 degrees F, or a few degrees above the standard of 41 degrees or less.
Ozzy Kabob3536 Meridian Crossing Drive, Okemos
“Observed controlled time/temperature for food safety in waiting station beverage cooler with temperatures above 41 degrees F during inspection as follows: opened mango juice at 49 degrees F – labeled ‘refrigerate after opening’ and Tahini sauce that was in portioned cups present in the refrigerator overnight. The ambient temperature of the refrigerator was 53 degrees F, at the time of the inspection the PIC was directed by the inspector to check the temperatures of the TCS foods in the refrigerator and discard the temperature controlled for safety of the foods that were improperly kept cold. temperatures and relocate temperature-controlled foods for safety that were still at adequate cold holding temperatures to other units that were capable of adequate cold holding, as they report that this is the facility’s corrective action procedure for foods held at inappropriate temperatures cold retention for an unverifiable period of time. IF food does not require refrigeration, it does NOT need to be discarded (bread, canned and bottled drinks, etc.).”
Panda Express439 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing
The shredded cabbage in the pan stored above other pans on top of the prep refrigerator was 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Food in another refrigerator was also 46 degrees F. The unit’s thermometer said it was 45 degrees F.
Raising Cane Chicken Fingers301 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing
“The disinfectant concentration for QT in the 3-comp is >500 ppm. Correction: Use test strips to measure the proper disinfectant concentration and adjust the concentration accordingly.”
Starbucks6715 S. Cedar St., Lansing
Cold brew and nitro cold in a cooler were “being kept cold” at 70 degrees F, nearly 30 degrees above the standard of 41 degrees or less for potentially hazardous foods.
A priority basis violation was found in:
El Catrin Taco Shop1620 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing
“It has been observed that some pans of food in the refrigerator exceed the 7-day expiration date. Correction: You should count the day the food is prepared or the package is opened. Example – prepared on 7/10/ then expires on 7/16.”
Grazing habit2315 Jolly Road, Okemos
There were two damaged cans of fruit on a shelf. “Correction: Discard/return to supplier for credit any damaged cans.” Corrected at time of inspection.
The Urban Cup2225 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing
No quaternary ammonia test strips.
Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela.
This article originally appeared in the Lansing State Journal: Ingham County Restaurant Inspections: Hotel Ordered to Discard Breakfast Wrappers
