Fredericksburg Health Inspections: Kitchens Need 'Thorough' Cleaning

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 June 14 and June 20.

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:

• McDonald's #17539, 893 Garrisonville Road Stafford, VA 22554
  • Date inspected: June 14
  • Total violations: 7
    • Observed ice machine by fryers are in need of cleaning inside.
    • Observed both back doors of facility are not self closing.
    • Observed many plastic containers stacked wet on the clean dish rack by the three compartment sink.
    • Observed the creamer machine by the drive thru window has ice buildup inside.
    • Observed a frozen beverage machine without a backflow prevention.
    • Observed a hole in the ceiling by the grill station.
    • Observed hood vent filters over fryers are in need of cleaning.
• Dunkin' Donuts, 551 Warrenton Road Fredericksburg, VA 22406
  
  • Date inspected: June 14
  • Total violations: 4
    • Observed an uncovered beverage container near exposed cooked bacon on the preparation table. Beverage was discarded.
    • Observed a food employee handle personal belongings with gloved hands then prepared drinks without first washing their hands and donning new gloves. Employee was instructed.
    • Observed the following commercially processed cold holding at improper temperatures in the sandwich station: 1) eggs (57'F), 2) sausage (pork) (53'F), 3) cream cheese (57'F), egg bites (53'F). Person in charge stated the items were placed in the unit one hour prior to temperature check. Items were placed in the walk in cooler. PIC is aware that the unit is not maintaining foods at 41'F or below. A new unit was recently ordered and will be delivered soon. Foods will be placed on ice until the new unit arrives and temperatures will be monitored.
    • Observed two hoses connected to a Y connector on the mop sink faucet. One hose was over one inch above the flood rim line and the other hose was connected to a sprayer. The person in charge removed the hose that was connected to the sprayer until a back flow prevention device is purchased.
• El Patron Mexican Restaurant, 316 White Oak Road Suite #101 Fredericksburg, VA 22405
  
  • Date inspected: June 15
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed the following TCS foods improperly cooled in the walk in cooler: Two stainless steel containers of black beans (53, 47 degrees F), one stainless steel container of cooked chicken (43, 44 degrees F), two stainless steel containers of refried beans (48 degrees F) and two plastic containers of in house shredded queso cheese (44, 48 degrees F). The foods were prepared the day prior based on date marking and communication with staff. During the inspection the TCS foods were voluntarily discarded for safety. The person in charge reported staff are monitoring temperatures during cooling but documentation was not available for review.
• Hardee's of Spotsylvania Courthouse #2996, 9811 Courthouse Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553
  
  • Date inspected: June 16
  • Total violations: 10
    • Observed an employee handling ready-to-eat food, touch a soiled food timer button, the continue working with the ready-to-eat food. Employee was told to wash their hands, change their gloves and to use their knuckle to push buttons on the timer.
    • The following food-contact surfaces are not cleaned at an appropriate frequency: 1-the fryer baskets, 2-the charbroiler.
    • During discussions with the person in charge it was learned that the soda nozzles were being 'cleaned' every night by soaking them in sanitizer without a wash and rinse step. Person in charge was instructed to make sure that the nozzles were being washed, rinsed, then sanitized each night.
    • In-use utensils improperly stored between use. There was no measurable sanitizer in the wiping cloth buckets.
    • The shipping plastic on the outside of the ice maker in the dining room and on the grease machine in the kitchen are not easily cleanable.
    • Observed a build-up of ice in the ice cream freezer and the shake freezer.
    • The nonfood-contact surfaces of all of the equipment in the kitchen were observed soiled with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and/or other debris. ALL NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES ARE IN NEED OF A THOROUGH CLEANING.
    • A direct connection exists between the drain line of the 3 compartment sink and the sewer system.
    • The following facility items were observed in need of repair: 1-the tile grout, 2-the holds in the walls where plumbing is passing through, 3-several damaged ceiling tiles.
    • ALL OF THE WALLS, FLOORS AND CEILINGS IN THE KITCHEN ARE IN NEED OF A THOROUGH CLEANING.
• Marco's Pizza, 316 White Oak Road #109 Fredericksburg, VA 22405
  
  • Date inspected: June 16
  • Total violations: 6
    • During inspection food employees and person in charge could not answer food safety related question of the following: 1. cooling methods 2. company that delivers foods 3. Cold holding temperatures 4. employee health documents.
    • Person in charge could not provide documentation in a form of an employee health policy and staff could not communicate when asked about their knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms. EHS provided a copy of an employee health policy.
    • Observed three plastic containers of cut romaine lettuce in the walk-in cooler at 49 degrees f- 50 degrees F. Per discussion with food employee lettuce was put in cooler at 11:20 am. Food employee relocated the lettuce to the freezer to finish cooling and within 20 minutes (3:20pm) lettuces was at 41 degrees f.
    • Per discussion with the person in charge and through observation improper cooling methods of foods are used in the facility. Staff are not monitoring foods when they are in a cooling stage both ambient and reheated foods. Observed stacked and covered plastic containers of foods in the walk-in cooler. Staff are also unaware of required temperatures of foods in cooling process. EHS discussed proper cooling methods with food employees.
    • Person in charge could not provide a thin probe thermometer.
    • Observed handles of equipment and shelving above the 3-compartment sink require cleaning.
• Jen's Pizza Den, 175 Cambridge Street Falmouth, VA 22405
  
  • Date inspected: June 17
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed the interior of the ice machine in need of cleaning. PIC turned the ice machine off to be drained and cleaned.
• Popeye's, 253 Garrisonville Road Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: June 20
  • Total violations: 9
    • Person in charge could not provide signed employee health documents. During the inspection the person in charge had all employees working sign the employee health documents.
    • Person in charge could not provide documentation on vomiting and diarrheal clean up procedure. EHS provided a sample to the person in charge.
    • Observed inside ice machine heavily soiled. Person in charge drained the ice machine and clean the interior during inspection.
    • The breading station to include containers used for breading raw chicken that is held at room temperature is being washed, rinsed, and sanitized once every 11 hours.
    • Observed several stainless-steel pan lids heavily soiled on the clean dish rack and under the prep table by the microwave. Person in charge removed all the lids to be cleaned and sanitized.
    • Observed the following nonfood contact surfaces throughout the facility in need of cleaning. 1. Hot holding box 2. Cabinets (near fry station) 3. Fry station.
    • Observed a water hose connected to a sprayer stored directly in the mop sink basin without the proper backflow prevention device. Hose was removed from the basin and was turned off.
    • Observed walls, floors, and ceiling tiles throughout the facility in need of cleaning.
    • Observed a hole in the wall under the handwashing sink by the frying station; and broken/missing floor tiles, coving, and ceiling tiles (light shields) throughout the facility in need of repair.
• Kabob Corner, 1515 Stafford Market Place Suite #105 Stafford, VA 22556
  
  • Date inspected: June 20
  • Total violations: 13
    • Observed two uncovered drinks on prep table next to food being prepared.
    • No hand washing sign posted at the only hand sink in the kitchen. EHS provided a handwashing signage- PIC posted the signage during the inspection.
    • Observed inside of microwave heavily soiled.
    • Observed four soiled knives on rack in need of cleaning. Food employee removed knives to be cleaned and sanitized.
    • Observed throughout facility chemicals being stored next to foods.
    • Observed chickpeas (135 - 137 degrees) and potatoes at 150-153 degrees) stored in uncovered large plastic containers cooling on a shelf under the grill. Time and temperature were not being monitored. PIC stated the food has been stored on the shelf for about 2 hours. EHS instructed PIC to put foods in shallow stainless steel pans and put in reach in cooler.
    • Observed the following food items being stored improperly. 1. Two plastic containers of rice stored next to were dishes are being washed 2. Two plastic containers of sauce stored directly on the floor.
    • Observed wet wiping cloths stored on the prep table and by the grill station.
    • Observed tongs being stored on the handle of the oven.
    • Observed rust on shelving under prep tables.
    • Facility could not provide a testing kit for quaternary ammonium.
    • Observed throughout facility all nonfood contact surfaces of equipment needs cleaning including exterior and interior of refrigeration and cooking equipment.
    • Observed the walls, floors, and ceiling throughout the facility in need of cleaning.
• Spring Arbor of Fredericksburg (Willow), 1804 Bragg Rd Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  
  • Date inspected: June 20
  • Total violations: 8
    • Observed the blade of the can opener soiled. During the inspection the can opener was relocated to the warewashing area.
    • Observed the interior surfaces of the microwave require cleaning.
    • Observed one container of cottage cheese that had expired on 6/2/2023. During the inspection the person in charge discarded the cottage cheese.
    • Observed 2 containers of spices that were not labeled.
    • Observed one can of pudding and one can of green beans that were dented on a dry storage shelf.
    • Observed the only food employee of the kitchen wearing a watch.
    • Observed the test kit used at the 3 compartment sink expired in 2019.
    • Observed the following in need of cleaning: 1. dusty ac vent above the 3 compartment sink 2. panels of the hood vent are dusty.
• Spring Arbor Cottage of Fredericksburg (Cypress), 1804 Bragg Rd Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  
  • Date inspected: June 20
  • Total violations: 4
    • Observed the following foods cold holding past the expiration date: 1. one container of cottage cheese 6/2/2023 2. one container of sour cream 5/30/2023 During the inspection food items were discarded.
    • Observed five cans of 4 bean salad that were dented on a dry storage shelf.
    • Observed a food employee wearing a watch.
    • Observed the following facilities in need of cleaning: 1. caulking near dish machine-soiled with black mold like growth 2. dusty ac vent above 3 compartment sink 3. hood vent panels were dusty.
• White Oak Christian Academy, LLC., 299 White Oak Road Fredericksburg, VA 22405
  
  • Date inspected: June 20
  • Total violations: 1
    • Facility is using time as public health control (TPHC) for food received from a third party. A Food Protection Manager Certificate (CFPM) is required to use TPHC.

The following facilities did not record any violations:

• Zibibbo 73 Ristorante & Raw Bar
• McDonald's Restaurant #12769
• Colonial Tavern Home to the Irish Brigade
• Caroline Moose Lodge