News

Apr 14, 2023

Moldy food in Greene Co. school cafe among food inspection findings

Springfield-Greene County Health Department food inspection reports revealed

Springfield-Greene County Health Department food inspection reports revealed mold growing on cheese and salsa in a school cafeteria and that a food truck had a damaged water heater and no water supply.

According to the report from an April 14 inspection at Fair Grove Middle and High School cafeteria, 132 N. Main St. in Fair Grove, multiple containers of food like cheese and salsa had visible mold growth. Staff discarded the food, which solved the problem. It will not need a re-inspection.

During an April 15 inspection at Krave's Whips-N-Dips, water problems led to the suspension of the food truck's permit, according to the report. The report said that the truck had no water source for proper handwashing, and the water heater was reported as damaged. The food truck's permit will be suspended until the repair is made.

Food inspections take place one to three times a year, depending on the type of food served, the population served, difficulty of food preparation and past history. Restaurants preparing food from raw ingredients are inspected more often "than convenience stores that serve only non-potentially hazardous foods, such as popcorn and soda," according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Each report identifies what was happening at the establishment at that time. Consumers who want to know whether a violation is a one-time thing or a pattern are encouraged to refer to previous reports.

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Issues found during inspection fall into either priority or non-priority violations. Priority violations impact the safety of the food, such as cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food, improper food temperature and poor personal hygiene and employee health. Multiple priority violations can lead to an establishment being shut down. Non-priority violations alone do not directly affect food safety, such as dirty floors, sticky tabletops or outside trash cans not being covered.

Here are food inspections from the last week:

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5 Spice China Grill, 2058 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. April 20 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed sanitizer kits were expired; observed raw beef on prep table with raw ready-to-eat foods.

Bambino's Cafe and Bake Shop, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. April 13 re-inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of re-inspection.

Bao Bao Chinese Bistro, 2101 W. Chesterfield Blvd., Springfield. April 13 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority violations corrected: Prep cooler and walk-in cooler below 41 degrees as required, three-vat sink chlorine solution at 50 to 100 parts per million chlorine as required and kitchen cart has been cleaned. No violations noted.

Boys & Girls Club Musgrave Unit, 720 S. Park Ave., Springfield. April 17 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed mouse droppings in storage room. One non-priority violation: Observed temperature gauge on dish machine rinse cycle not accurate.

Casa Bella II, 300 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. April 17 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed employee eating in food preparation area and provided education to person in charge; observed the dish machine sanitizing solution was weak, reading less than 50 ppm chlorine, and a re-inspection will be performed. No non-priority violations.

Cashew Chef, 1731 S. Enterprise Ave., Springfield. April 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted at time of inspection.

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Cashew Station, 620 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. April 13 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Centerfold Bar, Grill, Cabaret, 2800 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. April 20 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed various cheeses and sliced potatoes in walk-in cooler had no use-by date. Corrected. Repeat violation. Discussed date marking system with new cook, stickers are available. All ready-to-eat food should be marked with use by date including ready-to-eat foods made in-house or any opened lunch meat. One non-priority violation: Observed three-vat PVC pipe is leaking in the middle section.

City Butcher, 3650 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. April 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed one return air vent and an area of ceiling behind smokers were not clean.

Contorto Food Truck, 2955 S. Farm Road 97, Republic. April 15 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Crazy Hats, 1611 N. Campbell Ave., Springfield. April 18 routine inspection – Result: Active. Two priority violations: 1. Observed soda gun holder at bar not clean. Education given and cleaning started during inspection. 2. Observed inside of kitchen microwave not clean. Education given and cleaning started during inspection. Four non-priority violations: Observed pest control devices were full, education given; observed missing ceiling tiles in kitchen; observed equipment no longer needed for operation or working; observed daylight along bottom of front and side exterior doors.

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Doggy Style Food Truck, 542 N. Main St., Republic. April 15 routine inspection – Result: active. Person in charge indicated that fresh water tank had been filled from Ash Grove City water system. Also wastewater would be disposed of at Southwest Treatment Plant in Springfield. No violations cited.

Echelon Coffee, 2407 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. April 19 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed can opener blade and nozzle on hot water dispenser was dirty. Education given and corrected on-site. Two non-priority violations: Observed ceiling vent and emergency light over prep table and area was dirty; observed no sanitizer test kit to check the sanitizer's concentration.

El Rincon, 306 E. Commercial St., Springfield. April 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted during the inspection.

Fair Grove Elementary School, 132 N. Main St., Fair Grove. April 14 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Fair Grove High School & Middle School Cafeteria, 132 N. Main St., Fair Grove. April 14 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed multiple containers of potentially hazardous foods like cheese and salsa had visible mold growth in containers. Education was given and problem corrected on site by discarding the foods. No non-priority violations.

Fat Tony's Pizza Kitchen, 6287 S. Farm Road 25, Billings. April 15 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Fazoli's 5077, 2137 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. April 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Ice scoop found buried in ice. Education given and corrected on site.

FD's Grillhouse, 245 E. Monastery St., Springfield. April 17 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed vegetable slicer and cutting boards were not clean. One non-priority violation: Observed fans in coolers, door to walk-in cooler and ceiling grates in fry area were dirty.

George and Squeezy's Deluxe Lemon Shake Ups LLC, food truck. April 15 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Go Burrito, 2100 W. Republic Road, Springfield. April 18 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed salsa at cold salsa bar holding above 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Manager placed salsa on time control and adjusted unit. One non-priority violation: Observed vent hood filters have build-up of grease. Manager agrees to increase cleaning frequency.

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H-N-H Chinese Restaurant, 307 E. Proctor Road, Willard. April 17 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. A reinspection will be made on or after April 20 to check priority violations for correction. Three priority violations: 1. Observed staff were eating in food preparation area when inspector arrived. Inspector explained eating in food prep area was not allowed and had staff move to dining area. 2. Observed potentially hazardous food items in walk-in refrigerator that were not labeled with use-by dates. 3. Observed staff washing and rinsing dishes but not sanitizing them. Corrected by owner prior to exit. Four non-priority violations: 1. Observed facility said they were using "time as a control" but nothing was documented on deep-fried chicken prep line. Promptly labeled. 2. Observed two plastic pans being stored in hands sink, which were removed at inspector request. 3. Observed three unshielded fluorescent light bulbs in kitchen. 4. Observed handles to glass doors on kitchen walk-in refrigerator were dirty.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, 1808 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. April 19 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed at time of inspection.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, 2237 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. April 13 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed coleslaw and cheese in walk-in cooler without time/date marking. Corrected on site. Two non-priority violations: Observed unclean ceiling vents; observed missing/broken floor tiles.

Kentucky Fried Chicken/Long John Silver, 240 N. West Bypass, Springfield. April 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed manager conducting food prep activities was not wearing beard restraint.

Krackin Cajun Seafood House, 3644 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. April 13 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed box of potatoes sitting on floor in dry storage.

Krave's Whips-N-Dips, 2336 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. April 15 routine inspection – Result: suspend. Three priority violations: 1. Observed mobile unit had no water source for proper handwashing and other operations. Hot water heater also reported damaged during inspection. Temporary solution made to attend temporary event. Education given and mobile unit's permit will be suspended until the repair is made. 2. Observed raw fish stored above produce like tomatoes. Education given and corrected on-site. 3. Observed employee's personal items and tobacco products scattered within the mobile unit. Education given. One non-priority violation: Observed no sanitizer test strips to check sanitizer concentration.

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Lake Country Soccer Dome, 2334 E. Pythian St., Springfield. April 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed multiple drink cases being stored directly on floor of dry storage room; observed several ceiling tiles missing in dry storage room.

Lake Country Soccer East Park Concessions, 2331 E. Pythian St., Springfield. April 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed multiple ceiling tiles missing in dry storage area and in front of house.

Lake Country Soccer West Park Concession, 2331 E. Pythian St., Springfield. April 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed box of nacho cheese being stored on the floor.

Leong's Asian Diner, 1540 W. Republic Road, Springfield. April 19 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: 1. Observed no chlorine residual in dish machine. Container changed and still no residual. Manager called chemical company immediately and agrees to have dishwasher dip all ware and utensils in third vat of three-vat sink for sanitizing after dishes are run through machine until machine is repaired. 2. Observed prep cooler holding potentially hazardous foods at 44 degrees. Potentially hazardous foods move to alternate cooler (quarter pan of chicken, beef, shrimp) and manager called repair company immediately. Two non-priority violations: Observed grease build-up on low boy cooler and on sides and equipment in area; observed rice spatula stored in water at 59 degrees, which was corrected by removing from water.

Logan-Rogersville Primary School, 512 S. Sentry Drive, Rogersville. April 17 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed ice machine was dirty. No non-priority violations.

Mama Jean's - Swig Coffee Bar and Deli, 1110 E. Republic Road, Springfield. April 17 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Three priority violations: Observed potentially hazardous foods not being kept at or below 41 degrees, which were voluntarily discarded; observed ice machine was dirty; observed potentially hazardous foods not being held at or above 135 degrees, which were voluntarily discarded. No non-priority violations.

Mark Twain School, 2352 S. Weaver Ave., Springfield. April 14 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Neighborhood Super Mercado DBA Wommack's, 1130 N. Grant Ave., Springfield. April 18 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed employee leave kitchen to perform dishwashing duties. Employee returned and donned gloves before washing hands. Education provided and corrected on-site. No non-priority violations.

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Neighborhood Super Mercado Grocery & Meat DBA Wommack's, 1130 N. Grant Ave., Springfield. April 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations at time of inspection.

Panera Bread, 1750 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. April 13 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Peking House, 3108 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. April 14 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: 1. Observed rice at 51 degrees, which was potentially hazardous food and not cooled within required time. Rice was discarded. 2. Observed raw beef stored over cooked chicken. Beef was moved to bottom shelf. No non-priority violations.

Rice House Restaurant, 625 S. Kimbrough Ave., Springfield. April 18 compliance check 2 – Result: out of compliance. On site for compliance check. Walk-in cooler temperature has not been corrected. All foods are being stored in different coolers, but cooling cannot be achieved in other coolers. Due to facilities operation, a walk-in cooler is necessary for safe food handling. Walk-in freezer is located in walk-in cooler. Remove walk-in freezer door as temporary fix to allow for walk-in cooler to hold 41 degrees or below. Facility has until May 2 to complete. One priority violation: Observed fried chicken at 84 degrees in tub, stored at room temperature. Person in charge stated they cooked chicken at noon; inspection was at 2 p.m. Potentially hazardous foods must be cooled to 70 degrees within two hours, so person in charge voluntarily discarded chicken. Discussed that potentially hazardous foods should be cooled uncovered in cooler until needed. One non-priority violation: Observed walk-in cooler holding 42 degrees to 45 degrees. Walk-in fans not functional. Person in charge agreed to remove door that connects walk-in freezer to walk-in cooler to ensure foods in cooler can be held at 41 degrees or below. Person in charge will check temperature twice daily after making fix to ensure food temperatures are 41 degrees or below. Facility has until May 2 to make fix.

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Save-A-Lot Foods-Meat/Retail, 1117 E. Commercial St., Springfield. April 14 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed mops stored in mop bucket, education given; observed quat sanitizer test strips were expired, education given; observed low hot water pressure on hand wash sink in meat cutting room.

Scramblers, 1131 E. Republic Road, Springfield. April 17 re-inspection – Result: active. The violations cited on recent inspection have been corrected: Walk-in refrigerator was running 37 degrees. Hand sink was accessible. Glass doored refrigerator had been cleaned. No violations cented.

Springhouse Village Springfield East, 3877 E. Farm Road 132, Springfield. April 17 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed potentially hazardous food (pico de gallo) past the manufacturer's use-by date. Education given and corrected on-site by discarding food. No non-priority violations.

Subway 29107, 4118 S. National Ave., Springfield. April 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed.

Texas Roadhouse, 255 E. Monastery St., Springfield. April 17 re-inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Wendy's No. 1061, 4939 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. April 14 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Re-inspection will be made on or after April 19 to check on chocolate Frosty machine. One priority violation: Observed chocolate Frosty mix in bulk tank on unit was 50 degrees. Promptly took out of service. Two non-priority violations: Observed hose attached at mop sink without back-flow preventer, which general manager promptly removed and discarded; observed number of boxes and single-service items that were sitting on the floor and some were open.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].