Incorrect Holding Temperatures Noted At 2 Silver Spring Restaurants

SILVER SPRING, MD — Inspectors from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services noted critical violations at two Silver Spring food establishments during recent inspections. Both restaurants were cited for not maintaining the proper temperatures for food items that were in holding and waiting to be served.

All Montgomery County licensed retail food establishments are inspected by the Licensure & Regulatory Services Program. Regular comprehensive inspections include evaluating an establishment's sanitation, maintenance and food service operations. These inspections include monitoring critical temperatures and food handling procedures.

"A Critical Violation means a food safety requirement that requires immediate correction," according to the health and human services website. "Failure for immediate correction results in cessation of some or all food operations or closure of the facility until violation is able to be corrected."

Apres Pues

On Sept. 19, an HHS official visited Arepas Pues located at 8555-B Fenton St. in Silver Spring for a comprehensive inspection. The inspector noted that the restaurant had a critical violation concerning its cold holding temperature.

The inspection report stated that food items were being held above 41 degrees F. To correct this violation, restaurant staff moved the items that had been held for under four hours to another cooler.

The inspector noted two non-critical violations that the restaurant needed to address:

• Exterior of the ice machine is observed having some stains/dirt. Clean to prevent contamination of the ice.
• One of the Hand sinks is blocked by stored table in front of it. Remove the table to make the hand sink accessible all times.

Elita Restaurant And Grocery

During a Sept. 21 inspection of the Elita Restaurant and Grocery located at 10118 Colesville Road, an HHS official found the restaurant out of compliance for its cold and hot holding. The two critical violations needed to be addressed as soon as possible.

"Sliced veggies and tomatoes observed being held at 47'F in a malfunctioning prep cooler," the inspector wrote. The restaurant personnel moved the food items to a colder unit that rapidly cooled them to below 41'F.

Since the cooler were not maintaining a proper holding temperature, the inspector noted that they should either be repaired or replaced. Also, the restaurant should discontinue using the unit until it has been replaced or repaired.

"Samosa (lentil) observed at 104'F in a small counter table warmer," the inspector wrote. To correct the critical violation, the heater was turned on and the temperature was rapidly raised to 135F or above.

The inspector also noted these two non-critical violations that the restaurant needed to remedy:

• "Coffee cups stored in the hand sink, cleaned glasses observed stored on the shelf below hand sink. The inspector observed this being corrected during the inspection.
• "The 3-compartment sink sprayer observed hanging down in the sink.
• "Currently the facility is not under direct supervision of a manager with allergen awareness certification."

Related:

• Warm Heavy Cream; No Certified Food Manager: Critical Violations
• Rodent Problems Addressed At Silver Spring Restaurants: Inspection
• Mold, Droppings Found At 2 Rockville Food Establishments: Violations
• Complaint About Mice Prompts Inspection Of Silver Spring Restaurant
• Critical Violations Reported At 14 Silver Spring Food Establishments