'Critical' Food Violations Found at Anne Arundel Restaurants

ANNAPOLIS, MD — More than 40 restaurants and food stores in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County were cited for what county health inspectors called “critical violations” in the June 2016 report just released.

The county health department has posted a list of 495 restaurant and food service inspections online, and several were found to have critical problems. Most of the problems were for employees who didn’t wash their hands properly or food not stored at a proper temperature.

Find explanations for the citations on the health department website.

Those restaurants and businesses were:

• 4 Seasons Grille in Gambrills
• 7-Eleven in Severn
• Annapolis Smokehouse
• Bagels N' Grinds in Hanover
• Baja Fresh Mexican Grill in Annapolis
• Bella Italia Pizzeria & Restaurant in Annapolis
• Bella Sera in Edgewater
• Blackwall Hitch in Annapolis
• Cafe Riva in Annapolis
• Carlson's Donuts/Thai Kitchen in Annapolis
• Chart House in Annapolis
• Chipotle Mexican Grill in Gambrills
• Defense Hwy. BP in Annapolis
• Eddie's Grill Inc./Garry's Grill & Catering in Severna Park
• El Pan Café in Annapolis
• Famous Dave's in Annapolis
• Five Guys in Gambrills
• Fortune House in Annapolis
• The Fresh Market in Annapolis
• Giant Food Store in Annapolis
• Greene Turtle Annapolis
• Hard Bean & Cafe Booksellers in Annapolis
• Hong Kong Express in Edgewater
• Houlihan's Waugh Chapel in Gambrills
• Iron Rooster - Annapolis
• Joss Cafe and Sushi Bar in Annapolis
• Lucky's Superette of Odenton
• Mission BBQ Annapolis
• New Rixie's Carryout in Annapolis
• Osaka Grill & Buffet in Crofton
• Pomodoro Natural Pizzeria in Odenton
• Popeyes of Annapolis
• Potbelly Sandwich Works of Baltimore
• Ramada Inn in Hanover
• Regal Cinemas/Waugh Chapel Stadium 12
• Rite Aid in Severn
• Royal Farms Store in Severn
• Safeway Store in Annapolis
• Squisito Pizza & Pasta in Severna Park
• Subway in Severn Super Walmart
• Yolavie in Annapolis

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health inspects restaurants and other food service facilities routinely to monitor the sanitary and physical conditions at each establishment.

Inspectors evaluate nine critical food safety items, which are those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness. If a critical food safety violation is discovered, it must be either corrected immediately or the facility risks being closed.

View the current Food Service Inspection Report for a list of facilities inspected by the department from June 1-30. Of the 495 facilities inspected, 44 had critical food safety item violations that were corrected.

Food Facility Closings: On June 20 Big Cheese/Sammy's Deli, 47 Randall St. in Annapolis, was closed because it had no hot water. It was reopened the same day, the county says.

• View past Food Service Inspection Reports by date

Indicates type of inspection:

ICI - Initial Comprehensive Inspection: Complete environmental inspection which includes both critical and sanitation items and food flow process (HACCP)

IM(1 or 2) - Monitoring Inspection: Specialized inspections performed to monitor critical steps of food handling for potentially hazardous foods.

R(or R2) - Reinspection

Column 5: Critical food safety items found NOT in compliance. Any critical items found to be in violation must be corrected during the inspection. Numbers appearing in this column indicate the food safety item found in violation.

These numbers correspond to the following critical items:

• Food must be obtained from an approved source.
• Food must be protected from adulteration, spoilage and contamination.
• Food workers must be restricted during illness or infection.
• Food workers must practice effective handwashing.
• Food must be properly cooled.
• a. Food must be held at proper cold holding temperature.
• All existing refrigeration equipment must maintain the internal temperature of potentially hazardous food at 41 degrees F or less.
• b. Food must be held at proper hot holding temperature.
• a. Food must be cooked to proper temperature.
• b. Food must be reheated to proper temperature.
• Potable hot and cold running water must be provided.
• Sewage must be properly discharged.

Ways to spot a possibly unclean restaurant kitchen are:

• Outdoor space: If the exterior is unkempt and littered, don't trust the inside.
• How clean is the restroom? Smells and overflowing trash cans are a red flag.
• Well-groomed employees: Are they washed, do they wear gloves when handling food, and do they wash their hands? If not, be careful.
• Healthy servers: If your waiter is sneezing or coughing, ask for another or consider leaving
• Table cleaning: Is a clean rag and disinfectant used to clean the table's surface? If not, the staff could just be spreading germs around.