Leaks and undated food: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for May

Note: Risk factor inspections are included. The Peoria City/County Health Department conducts these inspections every five years. According to comments on risk factor inspections, "For those food establishments selected, the risk factor inspection will take the place of one of the normal routine inspections."

The Peoria City/County Health Department conducts food inspections for a wide range of establishments in the area ? from restaurants to long-term care facilities and schools. Inspections look for issues that could contribute to the spread of foodborne illness, as well as general cleanliness and maintenance of the establishment.

The Journal Star examined routine inspections which took place in May for restaurants, mobile establishments and bars/taverns in Peoria County. There were 130 routine inspections ? including risk factor inspections ? completed for these categories.

The establishments listed below received either no violations or enough violations to warrant a warning from the health department.

Note: According to the Peoria City/County Health Department, "inspections only provide a snapshot of a food establishment's practices, as they are based on what is seen at the time of the inspection."

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Terminology used by the health department

• Core violation: These violations relate to "general sanitation, operational controls, sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), facilities or structures, equipment design, or general maintenance," according to the health department.

• Priority foundation violation: These violations could lead to priority violations if they are not corrected.

• Priority violation: These violations are considered the most high-risk by the health department, as they have the potential to directly contribute to foodborne illness.

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Establishments with no violations during routine May inspections

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Establishments that received warning comments during routine May inspections

Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette Table19/Rm Service at 501 Main St., Peoria, received a warning comment during a risk factor inspection. Violations included:

• The health department observed "a lot of food in the handwashing sink in the cook line, and so much food was in the sink that the sink was not draining." The violation was corrected on site.

• According to the health department, "the handwashing sink at the cook line had the cold water valve shut off due to a continuous leak. Handwashing sinks shall be equipped to provide water of at least 100 deg F through a mixing valve or combination faucet."

• The health department "Observed there to be multiple foods in the walk in fridge to have a date marking that exceeded the 7 day time limit." Several foods were also found without date markings. Both violations were corrected on site.

• Several fridges were embargoed after the health department found them to be above 41 degrees. According to the health department, "During the inspection, maintenance was able to add coolant to the fridges and the walk in, the 3 door prep fridge, and the 2 door prep fridge by the tall freezer were fixed and maintaining 41 Degrees F or less after being fixed. A follow-up inspection shall occur on or after May 10, 2024 to verify if coolers have been corrected."

• The health department embargoed the bar dishwasher after it found "the chlorine sanitizing dish machine at the bar to be reading a concentration of 0ppm."

• General comments on the inspection noted that: "since it is a risk factor (inspection,) core violations are not being documented. However, it was observed that there were dishes not inverted, employee beverages not in a designated area, no ventilation in the employee restroom, the (dishwasher) had a major leak, and various seasonings without a common name label, and the middle prep cooler door is not affixed to the cooler."

Hong Kong Buffet at 7708 N. University St., Peoria, received a warning comment during a risk factor inspection. Violations included:

• Several hand washing sinks were blocked by various items. The violation was corrected on site.

• The health department found "large holes and deep gouges" in a cutting board at the establishment, which made it so the board could "no longer be washed and sanitized properly to prevent pathogen growth. Employee tossed out the cutting board and replaced it with a new cutting board that can be washed and sanitized properly."

• According to the health department, a "Can Opener Blade is not clean to sight and touch." The violation was corrected on site.

• The health department found "several items are not marked with a use-by date. Food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours must be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food must be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of 41°F or less for a maximum of 7 days." The violation was corrected on site.

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Warning comment follow up inspections

Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette Table19/Rm Service at 501 Main St., Peoria, received a warning comment during a risk factor inspection on May 7.

On May 16, the Peoria City/County Health Department removed the embargo on the bar's dishwasher. A follow up inspection on May 21 noted two priority, two priority foundation and six core violations. Comments from the health department noted in part:

"The establishment has corrected a significant number of Priority and/or Priority Foundation violation(s). At this point in time the establishment may return to routine inspection schedule."

Hong Kong Buffet at 7708 N. University St., Peoria, received a warning comment during a risk factor inspection on May 1.

A May 13 follow up inspection found one priority, three priority foundation and seven core violations. These included:

• The health department found "Ginger stored in an unapproved location on floor of dry good area." The violation was corrected on site.

• According to the health department, various food items were found without a use-by date. "All undated food was discarded," according to the health department. The violation was corrected on site.

• The health department found "Fried rice in contact with employee food and bowl. Food shall only contact surfaces that are cleaned and sanitized." The violation was corrected on site.

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for May 2024