Minor Violations Seen in Town Inspection of Food Establishments

Nine Grafton businesses that serve food were inspected last month, according to the town's health agent, Lois Luniewicz, who also serves as the inspector.

The establishments are: Branded Bear, Cancun's, Grafton Food Bank, the Grafton Inn, Holy Cow Ice Cream, the Key Program, Peking Garden, Silvertone Cafe and Stop & Shop.

While each had some violations, Luniewicz said she hardly ever sees a business that does not have at least one.

“The purpose of the inspection, while it is to make sure that the businesses are compliant with the food code, is also about education,” she said, adding that she is confident that all of the establishments are working toward 100 percent compliance.

One common violation she saw was the re-use of containers that are meant to be disposable. Other common violations were uncovered food and uncovered trash receptacles.

These types of violations are good examples of why the inspections also serve as education for the food establishments, Luniewicz said.

 "did very well," she said. "They're very consistent. They run a very good operation over there.”

Violations at the deli included finding that one display counter has four holes that need to be filled and that the ovens need to be cleaned.

According to the report on , nacho chip barrels were overly filled and the covers couldn't be closed. Additionally, there was a cooler in the bar that was missing a thermometer. A thermometer was put in while the health agent was present.

The Grafton Food Bank had one violation and Luniewicz recommended a stained carpet be removed.

Luniewicz recommended the  retrain its kitchen staff because of violations such as a lack of sanitizer concentration documentation and hair and beard restraints.

According to the report on Holy Cow Ice Cream, too much food was stored in two of the refrigerators, which made the doors unable to be closed. Also, the business needs to store all food in food-grade containers.

The Key Program had an uncovered trash receptacle in a restroom. The temperature of the handwash sinks was also too low and the issue has since been corrected.

Peking Garden was found to be re-using containers that are meant to disposable. Uncovered food was also found.

According to the report on Silvertone Café, the oven needs to be cleaned. A dish machine that was not sanitizing properly has been repaired.

Luniewicz said  “was probably the best I’ve seen them” since she became the town’s health agent nine years ago. 

Three expired salads were removed while the health agent was present. Also, food handlers at the deli counter were found to be wearing wrist jewelry, which they were told to remove. The ceiling in the ground meat cooler needs to be cleaned and an issue of food being uncovered while cooling was corrected while the inspector was present.

Before becoming the Grafton health agent in 2003, Luniewicz worked two years for an independent food safety consulting company. She has been a food inspector since 1995 and is a certified professional food manager and certified to teach food safety.

“I like to have a relationship with the establishments and I encourage them to communicate with me when they are considering changes,” she said, such as replacing or purchasing equipment or changing the menu, for example.

For the most part, these businesses are inspected on a 6-month schedule.