COMMENTARY: THOMAS J. BOTZMAN Proposed scorecard for higher ed misses the mark

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Heavy rain, thunderstorms to kick off the week

The following are last week&#8217;s Luzerne County restaurant inspection reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.According to the agency: &#8220;any inspection is a &#8216;snapshot&#8217; of the day and time of the inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term cleanliness of an establishment. Also, at the time of the inspection, violations are recorded but are often corrected on site prior to the inspector leaving the establishment.&#8221;The information is taken from the inspection database at <a href="http://www.eatsafepa.com/" target="_blank" title="Pa. Department of Agriculture">www.eatsafepa.com</a>.Postal addresses used here are as listed on the state&#8217;s website, and may not correspond to the municipalities in the which facilities are physically located.Swizzle Stick, 434 Main St., Edwardsville, June 1. Regular inspection; in compliance; no violations.Huntsville Golf Club, 1334 Market St., Lehman, June 1. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Observed a carafe of tomato juice stored in the ice bin in bar area. The food service manager stated that the ice was intended for use in beverages. The carafe was removed, ice discarded and the bin sanitized during this inspection. Food facility does not have available proper sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. The facility is using an iodine/phosphoric acid sanitizing solution in the dish-machine at the bar. The facility only had Chlorine and Quat. test strips available.China Three, 49 Broad St., Suite 1, Pittston, June 1. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in kitchen area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Observed a container of clear liquid in the cooking area not labeled with the common name of the food. Person in charge labeled container during this inspection. Food dispensing utensil (scoops) in bulk food containers observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food. Food utensil in kitchen area observed stored in a container of water which is not maintained at 135&#176;F. Person in charge removed utensil from water. Observed in-use knives and cleavers stored in a wooden knife holder on wall, an area not easily cleanable and sanitized. Person in charge removed from holder and cleaned and sanitized the knives and cleavers. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Food facility is reusing plastic shopping bags for food storage in chest freezers. Can opener blade, a food contact surface, was observed to have old food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Person in charge cleaned can opener during this inspection. The handwash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by bulk dry ingredient containers and not accessible at all times for employee use. Person in charge moved containers during this inspection. No paper towel available at the handwash sink in the front area.China King, 2800 N. Memorial Highway, Dallas, June 1. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Open container of Tylenol stored intermixed and above food ingredients. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. A food employee was observed washing their hands at the ware wash sink rather than the designated handwash sink. Beef and wontons in the freezers stored open with no covering. White powdery food ingredient storage containers, in the kitchen area, is not labeled with the common name of the food. Common bowls without handles observed buried in bulk food ingredient storage bins. Observed cooked chicken placed hot in the refrigerator/walk-in cooler in containers greater than 4 inches deep, which is not a proper cooling method. Chicken was also covered with cellophane impeding cooling. Wooden cutting board on baine marie is screwed into baine marie frame making difficult to remove for cleaning as evidenced by grease build up along rear edge of cutting board. Mold and dust build up on walk in cooler fan guard. Women&#8217;s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Food spillage on floor of prep table in kitchen. Heavy grease build up on floor under main cook line equipment. Webbing build on floor and wall in area of bulk dry storage adjacent to dining area.Turkey Hill #249, 7 Airport Road, Hazle Township, June 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Surface coating on some racks in walk in cooler is deteriorated. A dead leg plumbing extension is observed on water feed line by 3 bay sink. Beverage spillage observed under racks in walk in cooler.That Bounce Place, 925 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Boulevard, Wilkes Barre, June 2. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in refrigeration equipment. Food facility does not have a three-compartment sink for manual warewashing. Interior surface of microwave, a food contact surface, was observed to have old food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Person in charge cleaned at time of this inspection. Observed Slush Puppy dispensing equipment in counter area, with an accumulation of old syrup on non-food contact surfaces. Observed a build up of sticky residue under counter where single use cups were stored. Person in charge discarded soiled cups. Observed packages of single use cups in the counter area stored directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. No hot water available in the facility at the time of this inspection. The food facility does not have a handwash sink. Outdoor storage area for refuse in no non-absorbent flooring, such as concrete or asphalt. Receiving door located in the rear area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.Subway #62145, 6 West Butler Drive, Drums, June 2. Regular inspection; in compliance; no violations.Subway, 19 N. Main St., Shickshinny, June 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid. The employee provided proof during this inspection that she is registered and in the process of completing the course. She will e-mail this inspector or fax to the Department of Agriculture Region 3 field office a copy of the certificate once received. Facility does not have available the color code for sanitizer strips to ensure that sanitizer concentration is in appropriate range. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the food prep area. This was corrected during this inspection.Peppe&#8217;s Pizza and Subs, 52 E. Carey St., Plains June 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Interior surface of top of chest freezer is cracked and repaired with duct tape. Door gasket on chest freezer is broken and not sealing door properly. Interior surface of microwave, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Person in charge cleaned at time of this inspection. Observed interior bottom corner, a non food contact surface, of the Bain Marie in the kitchen area with an accumulation of a mold like residue. Buildup of cobwebbing in corner alongside freezer in rear prep room. Observed a buildup of rust on ceiling and floor in the walk in cooler. Observed fan guard in refrigerator with an accumulation of dust on non-food contact surfaces. Hood filters have a buildup of grease and dust above cooking area.Mountaintop Six Packs To Go LLC, 195 S. Mountain Boulevard, Mountain Top, June 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: 3 compartment sink is not easily accessible due to items stored in front of sink. Items moved during inspection. 3 compartment sink has build up of grime in basins.John&#8217;s Churchill Restaurant, 1065 N. Church St., Hazle Township, June 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: No effective hair or beard restraints worn during food prep. No thermometers visible in all in use refrigeration units. Florescent light tubes in rear food storage area are not shielded. Rear screen door is open approximately 6 inches. Closed during inspection. Floors in food prep / warewash areas underneath equipment and at floor to wall junctions have build up of grime.Italian American Sporting Club, 22 Apple St., Glen Lyon, June 2. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed a build up mineral deposits on the inside surfaces of all three bays of the 3 bay sink in the bar. All three bays of the sink were cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low temperature sanitizing dishwasher was &lt;10 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. Unit will need to be serviced and sanitarian will return for a follow-up inspection. 3-compartment sink at bar was setup to correct this violation until glass washer is repaired. Black and white mold-like buildup as well as pink slime observed along lip of ice deflector plate inside ice machine. The ice was removed and the machine was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the kitchen area. A hand soap dispenser was placed at the handwash sink during this inspection.Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, 1000 E. Mountain Drive, Wilkes-Barre, June 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a working container of glass / surface cleaner on the shelf above the cold prep table in kitchen area. Person in charge moved cleaner at time of this inspection. Working containers of yellow liquid in the cooking area, not labeled with the common name of the food. Observed boxes of food stored in Master Built reach in freezer with a build up of ice from dripping condensate. Interior surface of microwaves in self serve and kitchen area were observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Food employee cleaned microwaves at time of this inspection. Observed fan guard in #8 refrigeration unit in kitchen area, with an accumulation of dust on non-food contact surfaces. Observed a build up of mold like residue in drains under soda boxes in pizza prep area.Dida&#8217;s Incredible Edibles Mobile, 219 Broad St., Nescopeck, June 2. Regular inspection; in compliance; no violations.Dida&#8217;s Incredible Edibles, 219 Broad St., Nescopeck, June 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed containerized food stored directly on the floor in walk-in freezer area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Employee restroom is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.Wendy&#8217;s #007005, 40 S. Church St., Hazleton, June 3. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area engaged in food prep, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats. Observed wet wiping cloths in prep area, not being stored in sanitizer solution. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the kitchen area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the kitchen and men&#8217;s rest room area.Star Asia Buffet, 400 Route 315, Suite 220, Pittston, June 3. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Observed multiple working containers of cleaners in the kitchen area not labeled with common name. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the PA Food Code as evidenced by incorrect responses to food safety questions. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed two containers of drain cleaner stored on the same shelf with food and equipment in the sushi prep area. Recipe, HACCP plan, pH meter and pH testing logs not provided for sushi rice said to be acidified with lemon juice and vinegar that is being stored at ambient room temperature in hibachi area. Food facility has a certified food employee, but a certified food employee was not available during all hours of operation, as evidenced by an inability to talk with the certified food employee during this inspection. An open employee&#8217;s beverage container was observed in sushi area, a food preparation area. Shellstock, clams, in buckets located in the walk-in cooler did not have identification tags attached to the container until container is empty. Most recent tags located in kitchen area. A food employee was observed touching salmon used for sushi with bare hands. Employee instructed to use gloves when handling ready to eat foods during this inspection. Food in the walk cooler and reach in refrigeration units stored open with no covering. Observed raw eggs stored above fresh produce in the walk in cooler. Food dispensing utensil (scoops) in bulk food observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food and the container. Observed wet wiping cloths in sushi and wait staff area being stored in buckets of soapy water with no sanitizer. Observed a bucket of salad in water stored on floor alongside cleaning supplies where is it subject to splash. Person in charge moved bucket from this area. Observed boxes of food stored directly on the floor in walk in cooler and freezer area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Observed an employee removing half empty pans of hot food from buffet, placing new pans of hot food on buffet and taking remaining contents of half empty pans of food and placing contents on top of fresh hot foods. Food facility person in charge not able to produce records (letter of guarantee) showing that raw or partially cooked ready to eat fish has been frozen by the facility or approved supplier as required, before use or sale. Foods are served raw or undercooked to the customer&#8217;s request; however, a written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent, or placard) is not provided to the consumer. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in refrigeration equipment. Interior deflector plate in ice machine, a food contact surface, was observed to have mold like residue. Observed an employee rinsing dishes in the hand wash sink in the hibachi/sushi area. The dishes were removed and the employee was instructed to wash dishes in the kitchen and not the hand wash sink. Employee toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.My Town Supermarket, 46 E. Broad St., Hazleton, June 3. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility has an employee who held a certified food manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid.Modern Market, 1179 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, June 3. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed can of insecticide in the ware wash area not labeled by the manufacturer as approved for use in a food facility. Person in charge removed insecticide from facility. Observed accumulation of black residue on the floor in walk in cooler.McDonald&#8217;s #26683, 674 N. River St., Plains, June 3. Complaint inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a build up of mold like residue on deflector plate in ice machine. Food employee cleaned at time of this inspection.Just From Scratch Catering LLC, 191 Golf Course Road, Hunlock Creek, June 3. Regular inspection; in compliance; no violations.Heritage Fresh Foods, 601 S. Poplar St., Hazleton, June 3. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violations: A food employee was observed washing their hands at the equipment wash sink sink rather than the designated handwash sink. Prepackaged food is not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, net weight, distributed by statement and/or nutritional facts.Heritage Cafe, 601 S. Poplar St., Hazleton, June 3. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violation: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.CFM Beer Store, 101 Main St., Luzerne, June 3. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared (deli meat and cheese) in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-in cooler, is not being date marked. The items were date marked during this inspection. Observed dried food residue on the blade of the deli slicer. The person in charge stated that the slicer was last used, last evening. The deli slicer was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a build up of static dust on the fan guards of the walk in cooler.Laurel Drive-In Theatre, 1024 S. Church St., Hazle Township, June 4. Follow-up inspection; in compliance; no violations.King&#8217;s Pizzeria and Restaurant, 49 S. Mountain Boulevard, Mountain Top, June 4. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: No hair restraints worn by all employees engaged in food prep. Fresh shellfish is stored above ready to eat foods in walk in cooler. No signs of adulteration noted on ready to eat foods. Shellfish was moved to an accessible location during inspection. Food containers stored on floor in walk in cooler. No written procedures in place for assorted topped pizzas held at room temperature. No thermometers visible in all in use refrigeration units. No irreversable thermometer available to monitor high temperature dishwasher final rinse temperature.Frozen Cow, 2285 Memorial Highway, Dallas, June 4. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violation: The facility has an employee that has taken the food safety training program and has provided a letter that she passed with a score of 88%; however, she has not received her certificate yet. Person in charge will fax to the region 3 Field Office of the Department of Agriculture or e-mail a copy of the certificate toector upon receiving the certificate.

Luzerne County restaurant inspections: June 1-5