Cockroaches Force Closure of Banning Eatery

BANNING, CA — A local fast food restaurant has been closed for nine days after failing a recent health inspection, Patch has learned.

Officials with the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health confirm that it was the presence of cockroaches that forced the sudden closure on Oct. 4 of the Del Taco at 1964 West Ramsey Street. Additional details about about the insects or any other violations weren't immediately available.

As of Thursday afternoon, a sign outside the eatery indicated that it was "closed for repairs." Caution tape blocked off the entrance to the drive-thru, and black tarps were hung inside the windows to block the view in.

A sign from the health department was hung near the front entrance further confirming that the location had been closed on the fourth by order of California Health and Safety Code Section 113960.

That health safety code, for the Immediate Closure of a Food Facility, states:

• (a) If any immediate danger to the public health or safety is found, unless the danger is immediately corrected, an enforcement officer may temporarily suspend the permit and order the food facility immediately closed. Immediate danger to the public health and safety means any condition, based upon inspection findings or other evidence, that can cause food infection, food intoxication, disease transmission, or hazardous condition, including, but not limited to, unsafe food temperature, sewage contamination, nonpotable water supply, or an employee who is a carrier of a communicable disease.
  
• (b) Whenever a permit is suspended as the result of an immediate danger to the public health or safety, the enforcement officer shall issue to the permittee a notice setting forth the acts or omissions with which the permittee is charged, specifying the pertinent code section, and informing the permittee of the right to a hearing.
  
• (c) At any time within 15 calendar days after service of a notice pursuant to subdivision (b), the permittee may request in writing a hearing before a hearing officer to show cause why the permit suspension is not warranted. The hearing shall be held within 15 calendar days of the receipt of a request for a hearing. A failure to request a hearing within 15 calendar days shall be deemed a waiver of the right to such hearing.

Online records indicate that Banning's Del Taco had passed the last six routine inspections with an "A" grade, with scores ranging from 90 points to 95 points (out of a possible 100).

Patch tried to contact the Banning location, but has been unsuccessful. We reached out to corporate, who provided the following statement:

"Guest and employee safety is our highest priority. Upon learning of the situation, we took immediate action by closing the location and contacting a third party to clean and sanitize the restaurant before reopening. After a thorough sanitation process and inspection, we anticipate the restaurant will reopen soon."

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(Patch photos by Renee Schiavone)