Fredericksburg Health Inspections: 21 Violations At 1 Restaurant

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Several facilities in the Fredericksburg area recorded violations during recent inspections from the Rappahannock Area Health District. Inspectors conducted the most recent visits between July 19 and July 25.

In Virginia, all food service locations are supposed to be inspected at least once per year. Facilities with higher risk factors may be inspected as often as four times per year, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Violations at restaurants typically focus on factors that can contribute to food contamination. The local health department can also perform a re-inspection to ensure that possible violations have been corrected. Sometimes, the follow-up inspection only considers the most important "priority" violations.

For every observed violation, the inspector provides a specific corrective action that can be completed to rectify the violation. Sometimes these are simple, and violations can be corrected during the course of the inspection.
Depending on the results of the inspection, the health department can pursue several actions.

They can issue a permit for the restaurant to continue serving food, they can schedule a follow-up inspection to determine if violations have been rectified, or they can temporarily shut down an establishment until certain issues are solved.

The Virginia Department of Health only recommends restaurants have their permits suspended when "the continued operation of the foodservice presents a substantial and imminent threat to the public health."

Here are the most recent violations as listed by the Rappahannock Area Health Department:

• Bojangles, 20 Bojangles Way Fredericksburg, VA 22406
  • Date inspected: July 19
  • Total violations: 2
    • Observed a food employee, wearing single use disposable gloves, handle soiled equipment at the 3 vat sink drainboard and then proceed to enter the prep cooler. Discussed improper glove use with the person in charge who instructed the employee to remove gloves and wash their hands.
    • Observed long hose connected to a spray nozzle, which had water flowing connected to a Y-connector at the mop sink. Observed a hose bibb backflow preventer (single- check) installed above the Y-connector. Provided backflow prevention handout during routine inspection conducted on 6/28/2023. Instructed the person in charge to install a dual check valve with atmospheric vent backflow preventer at the hose connected to the Y-connector. Instructed the person in charge to turn the water off and remove the spray nozzle.
• Hong Kong Restaurant, 1075 Garrisonville Road Suite 111 Stafford, VA 22556
  
  • Date inspected: July 19
  • Total violations: 2
    • Observed a container of black beans in the prep cooler (top) at 58 degrees F. A food employee did not communicate how long the food was in the unit and discarded the beans during the inspection.
    • Observed lighting at the cook line at 25 foot candles of light and inside the walk in cooler at 5.8 foot candles of light.
• Big Bad W.Pit BBQ, 3249 Richmond Highway Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: July 20
  • Total violations: 21
    • Absence of active managerial control observed during the inspection. The person in charge is not monitoring cold holding temperatures of TCS foods, improper cooling and cooling methods observed, and absence of date marking system for TCS ready-to-eat foods held over 24 hours in the food establishment.
    • Observed an employee enter the food establishment and don single use disposable gloves to handle container of food at the steam table without washing their hands. Instructed the food employee to wash their hands.
    • Observed can opener soiled. The can opener was removed for cleaning during the inspection.
    • Observed interior surfaces of the microwave oven soiled.
    • Observed improper cooling for the following TCS foods: 1- Inside Pepsi cooler #2- Cooked and shredded chicken (60 degrees F) inside a covered Styrofoam contain and cooked cabbage (44 degrees F) stored in a deep and covered plastic container. The person in charge reported the food was held in the unit overnight. The cooked chicken and cabbage containers were stacked on top of each other in the Pepsi cooler. Discussed cooling of TCS foods in the walk in cooler in lieu of reach in units. 2- Walk in cooler- 2-3 Containers of cooked pork ribs (44, 44 degrees F), cooked pork butt (43, 43 degrees F, and cooked beef brisket (45 degrees F) The person in charge reported the pork and beef were cooked the night prior and were voluntarily discarded during the inspection. Observed cooked TCS foods wrapped in aluminum foil and stacked on top of one another in the walk-in cooler. A contributing factor to improper cooling is inadequate cold holding capacity of the walk in cooler and overstocking of the unit. TCS foods improper cooled were voluntarily discarded.
    • Observed chicken breast (130-133 degrees F) hot holding at improper temperatures inside the steam unit. The chicken was reheated at 10:30 a.m., temperature observed at 11:30 a.m. Chicken was removed to the grill to reheat 165 degrees F or above by 12:30 p.m.
    • Observed the following TCS foods cold holding at improper temperatures: - Pepsi cooler: 5-6 individual single use containers of in house prepared sweet potato pie (44, 43 degrees F) and in house prepared apple pie (43-44 degrees F). The pies were held in the unit overnight and were voluntarily discarded during the inspection. -Walk in cooler - 4-5 bags of cut cabbage for coleslaw (47 degrees F). The cabbage was held in the unit overnight and was voluntarily discarded. During the inspection the person in charge lowered the temperature in the walk-in cooler and was advised to contact a technician if the temperature does not lower within 30 minutes. The owner also sent an employee to the store to purchase commercially bagged iced. Instructed the person in charge to place TCS foods on ice and monitor the temperatures every 3 hours. Overstockig in reach in freezers limited the ability to place TCS foods in the freezers.
    • Absence of date marking observed for TCS foods held longer than 24 hours in the food establishment. Discussed date marking requirements with the operator and provided a handout.
    • Observed an employee's Pepto-Bismol stored inside Pepsi cooler #2 which was not labeled. Employee medication was stored over food in the unit. During the inspection an employee relocated the medication.
    • Observed improper methods to cool TCS foods. Observed cooked cabbage in a deep and covered plastic container inside the Pepsi cooler #2 and various cooked animal meats in the walk in cooler and inside Pepsi cooler #2 stacked on top of one another. Through discussion with the owner the TCS foods are wrapped when they reach 70-75 degrees F and placed in refrigeration units. Temperatures are not monitored during the cooling process after they reach 70-75 degrees F. Discussed methods to achieve compliance include cooling TCS foods on a single layer on a sheet plan and preventing stacking of the foods to ensure adequate cooling. Discussed use of a cooling log and provided a sample. Discontinue cooling inside reach in cooler.
    • Observed inadequate cold holding capacity during the inspection. The walk in cooler was densely packed with TCS and Non-TCS foods and the owner reported deliveries are received once a week. Discussed increasing the frequency of deliveries to ensure adequate cold holding of TCS foods and adding additional refrigeration equipment.
    • Observed screen for the back door was not secured to the frame, creating a gap. Instructed the person in charge to replace or repair the screen.
    • Observed small flying insects in the kitchen and warewashing area. Harboraging conditions including water collecting in a pan under the 3-vat sink and debris on nonfood contact surfaces throughout the establishment. Instructed the person in charge to contact pest control for inspection and service.
    • Absence of effective hair and beard restraints among food employees.
    • Observed packaged single use articles stored on the floor in the dining room under tables with a tablecloths.
    • Observed the 3 vat sink and warewashing hand sink are no longer sealed to the adjacent walls.
    • Observed two scratched and scored cutting boards. Discussed resurfacing or replacement.
    • Observed accumulation of debris on nonfood contact surfaces throughout the food establishment including interior and exterior of cooking and refrigeration equipment and shelving throughout. Recommend a detailed cleaning of the food establishment.
    • Observed the following in poor repair: Ceiling tiles in the kitchen are peeling, damaged wall tile in the men's toilet room, gaps in walls around plumbing/cables and burned out lights in the cooking and warewashing areas.
    • Observed the floors, walls, ceilings and floor drain under the 3-compartment sink in need of cleaning.
    • Observed employee's food stored throughout the food establishment on both shelving and refrigeration units. Discussed segregating and labeling area for storage of employee foods/beverages.
• Jin's Garden Chinese Restaurant, 263 Garrisonville Road Suite #101 - 103 Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: July 20
  • Total violations: 16
    • Absence of active managerial control observed during the inspection. The person in charge is not monitoring temperatures of TCS food during cold holding and temperature of time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods during cooling, multiple refrigeration units were observed with cold holding capacity issues, using time as public health control (TPHC) without prior approval from the health department, and improper hand washing.
    • Employee was unable to provide documentation of training relating to the employee health policy for this facility.
    • The establishment could not demonstrate the ability to provide written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment.
    • Observed a food employee handle raw chicken then handled clean equipment without first washing their hands, Employee was instructed to wash their hands.
    • A food employee was observed cleaning his hands at the three compartment sink. Employee was instructed to wash his hands only at the handwashing sink.
    • Improper handwashing procedures observed. Employee washed hands for less than 10 seconds. Observation was discussed with the person in charge. Employee was instructed to properly wash their hands.
    • Observed absence of hand drying provision at the handwashing by the soda machine by the service station. The person in charge provided disposable paper towels at the sink during the inspection.
    • Observed a large container and towels in the hand washing sink basin in the only handwashing sink in the kitchen. Items were relocated.
    • Observed imitation crab in the freezer, per discussion with the person in charge, the imitation crab is used to prepare crab rangoon and crab meat and asparagus soup which are falsely advertised on the menu under crab meat.
    • Observed food employee use gloved hands to handle chemicals then engaged in food preparation without first washing their hands and donning new gloves.
    • Observed several cartons of raw shell eggs stored near ready to eat noodles and tofu on the shelf in the walk in cooler. Eggs were relocated.
    • Observed large uncovered buckets of onions, tofu, and bean sprouts in the walk in cooler.
    • Observed an employee wash dishes with soap and rinse with water failing to properly sanitize the equipment. Observation was discussed with the PIC. Three compartment sink was set up to properly wash and sanitize the equipment.
    • Observed the following cold holding at improper temperatures: 1) breaded chicken (67'F) and 2) noodles (47'F) in reach-in-refrigerator (RIF) by the dry storage room that was stored in the unit overnight- items were discarded; 3) chopped lettuce (82'F), 4) breaded chicken (68'F) , 5) garlic mixed with oil (75'F) near the cookline. Items were kept at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Items were relocated to the walk in cooler (WIC); 6) liquid raw eggs (43'F), and 7) cut cabbage (46'F) in the prep unit by the cookline. Items were placed in the unit for about an hours. Items were relocated to the (WIC). Person in charge will contact a technician to evaluate the units.
    • A date marking system is not in proper use for the ready to eat time temperature control for safety (TCS) foods throughout the facility. Items were date marked during the inspection.
    • Observed an unlabeled bottle that contained chemicals. Bottle was labeled with the common name during the inspection.
• Roma Pizza, 5293 Palivoda Drive King George, VA 22485
  
  • Date inspected: July 21
  • Total violations: 7
    • The following cooking surfaces were observed soiled: 1-the interior of the microwave ovens, 2-the char grill, 3-the small oven above the sandwich prep unit.
    • Observed heavily stained cutting boards throughout the kitchen. Boards were taken to the 3 compartment sink to be cleaned.
    • Observed that the interior of the ice machine was soiled.
    • The following TCS (temperature controlled for safety) foods were cold holding at improper temperatures in the cold holding drawer: gyro meat (58'F), cooked chicken wings (68'F), cooked chicken chunks (58'F), raw chicken (50'F), raw hamburgers (51'F), raw steak (56'F). The food had been in the drawer since the pervious day. All items were voluntarily discarded and a service call was made for the unit.
    • Observed two containers of yogurt dated May 22, 2023 in the walk in cooler. Items had been expired for 60 days. Items were voluntarily discarded during inspection.
    • The person in charge could not produce a thin probe thermometer for measuring temperatures of thin food such as fish and meat patties.
    • Observed that the following non-food contact surfaces were soiled: 1-the interior of the dish machine, 2-the wire shelving throughout the kitchen, including the walk in cooler and freezer, 3-the top of the home style reach in freezer, 4-the utensil storage units, 5-the interior of the deep fryer cabinets, 6-the fans throughout the kitchen, the gaskets on the reach in coolers and prep units.
• Hilton Garden Inn Fredericksburg, 1060 Hospitality Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: July 21
  • Total violations: 4
    • During a follow up inspection observed no soap was available at the handwashing sink in the bar area. During the visit soap was provided.
    • Person in charge was unable to provide a parasite destruction letter for the salmon being offered made to order in the facility.
    • Observed during a follow up inspection the following foods were found cold holding out of temperature: 1. individual cream cheese cups 69 degrees F 2. yogurt 54 degrees F 3. mozzarella 60 degrees F 4. skim milk 49 degrees F 5. 2% milk 47 degrees F The foods were put out at 6 am and breakfast service was ending at 10 am. EHS advised for the foods to be discarded.
    • Observed during a follow up inspection the menu has not been updated with a consumer advisory statement that identifies the eggs on the menu are offered made to order.
• Starbucks Coffee #9677, 2001 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: July 21
  • Total violations: 6
    • Through discussion with the person in charge, the steam wand is only sanitized in between uses. EHS discussed with the person in charge to do a wash, rinse, sanitize every four hours.
    • Observed plastic containers that were stored stacked while still wet.
    • Observed the need of caulking at the front handwashing sink faucet and mop sink basin.
    • Observed a water leak coming from the AC vent in the front area and mop sink faucet.
    • Observed floors drains and walls behind the three compartment sink in need of cleaning.
    • Observed employees' personal belongings (purse, jacket, and backpack) hanging from a dry storage shelf.
• Harry's Alehouse, 5737 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  
  • Date inspected: July 24
  • Total violations: 10
    • A food employee was observed handling soiled dishes and personal belongings then handled clean dishes without first washing their hands. Employee was instructed to wash their hands.
    • A food employee washed their hands in the restroom when was instructed to wash their hands. Hands must be washed only at handwashing sinks located in the kitchen.
    • Observed what appeared to be mold on the red sliced red peppers in the walk in cooler.
    • Potato cutter observed with an accumulation of food residue and debris on food-contact surfaces and is in need of cleaning.
    • Observed 5 pans of raw hamburgers (43-46'F) stored in the walk in cooler overnight. Items were discarded.
    • Observed the following: 1) the disclosure and reminder for the consumer advisory do not meet the Virginia Food Regulations requirements. Steak is offered on the menu without an asterisk (*) to serve as a reminder to the disclosure statement. 2) hamburgers offered for sale on the kids menu are cooked to order- they are marked with an asterisk (*). Commuted meat offered for sale for highly susceptible population must be fully cooked.
    • Observed a large container of reduced oxygen packaged salmon that were completely thawed out that were stored in the walk in cooler. The packages had a label indicating that the salmon shall be removed from the reduced oxygen environment prior to its thawing under refrigeration. PIC discarded the salmon.
    • The nonfood contact surfaces of the interior of the oven and the refrigeration units are noted with an accumulation of grime and debris.
    • Observed a hose attached to a Y connector at the mop sink basin without the proper back flow prevention device. During the inspection, the PIC created the required air gap between the hose and flood level rim.
    • Direct connection exists at the 3 compartment sink sewer line.
• Fortune King George Chinese Restaurant, 8137 Kings Highway King George, VA 22485
  
  • Date inspected: July 25
  • Total violations: 7
    • Observed an oil and fresh garlic mixture on the cook's cart cold holding at 70'F. Mixture was voluntarily discarded during inspection. EHS told operator that this mixture needed to be cold held at proper temperature (at or below 41'F).
    • Observed multiple containers of egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken and pork ribs stores in the walk in cooler that were not date marked. Person in charge stated that the longest these items were held is 3-4 days.
    • Observed two employees working in the kitchen without proper hair restraints. Hats were provided during inspection.
    • Observed the metal shelves under the prep tables and the wire shelving in the walk in cooler and freezer is rusty. EHS also observed food storage containers stored above the 3 compartment sink are in disrepair.
    • Observed that the cutting boards along the prep units and the board on the prep table are heavily scored.
    • Observed the following non-food contact surfaces soiled: 1-the wire shelving in the walk in cooler and freezer, 2-the top of the broiler, 3-inside of one of the deep fryer cabinets.
    • The floors in the walk in cooler and freezer were observed soiled.
• Starbucks Coffee #2982, 9907 Southpoint Parkway Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  
  • Date inspected: July 25
  • Total violations: 4
    • Observed the ice machine by the dishwasher is heavily soiled on the interior.
    • Though discussion with a food employee the steam wand of the espresso machine in contact with TCS foods is being sanitized after every use and only washed, rinsed and sanitized once at closing. EHS discussed with the person in charge wash, rinsing and sanitizing the steam wand every four hours.
    • Observed three plastic food containers on the clean dish rack soiled . A food employee removed containers during inspection to be cleaned.
    • Observed food employees working without hair restraints.
• Quickway Japanese Hibachi, 5422 Southpoint Plaza Way Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  
  • Date inspected: July 25
  • Total violations: 5
    • Facility could not provide an employee health policy. EHS provided a sample and employees currently working signed.
    • Facility could not provide a clean procedure for vomiting and diarrhea events. EHS provided a sample clean up procedure during inspection.
    • Observed in the walk-in cooler bags of cucumbers and cauliflower being stored on top of raw chicken. Food were relocated during inspection.
    • Observed three knives soiled on a rack by the three-compartment sink. A food employee removed the knives to be washed and sanitized.
    • Observed cutting boards throughout facility are heavily stained and scored.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill #1109, 5420 Southpoint Plaza Way Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  
  • Date inspected: July 25
  • Total violations: 1
    • Facility could not provide employee health documents. During inspection EHS provided employee health documents and all food employees currently working signed.
• Regal Fredericksburg 14, 3301 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: July 25
  • Total violations: 2
    • Through discussion with the person in charge the current procedure for the cleaning in place for the popcorn maker is using the cleaning solution provided by the manufacturer (per the manufacturer specs) and then using a multi-purpose/glass cleaner (not recommended for food contact surfaces per bottle labeling) before re-using the machine. EHS discussed doing a wash rinse and sanitize step for the machine, and to ensure only food safe approved cleaners are used on equipment.
    • Observed food employees not wearing hair restraints while preparing food.
• Sheetz #573, 8206 Kings Hwy King George, VA 22485
  
  • Date inspected: July 25
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed a water leak near the back door of the kitchen. It appeared to be coming from the main water line to the building near the backflow device.

The following facilities did not record any violations:

• Curio Wine Bar & Tasting Room
• Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken
• Kentucky Fried Chicken #0160
• Chuck E Cheese
• Doc Rocco's
• McDonald's Restaurant #3264
• Sealston Deli
• Taste of Spice
• Roger B's Smashburgers (TVY - 4385)
• McDonald's #1630