'Remove Mouse Droppings' Inspector Orders Silver Spring Restaurant

SILVER SPRING, MD — Inspectors from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services recently reported critical violations at three Silver Spring food establishments.

All three of the restaurants had violations involving the holding temperatures and safe handling of food. But in one report, the restaurant needed to be thoroughly cleaned to remove mouse droppings and the floor areas had to be cleared for vermin monitoring.

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."

7-Eleven

During an Oct. 31 inspection, a HHS inspector found two critical violations of the county health code at the 7-Eleven #11581 at 10203 New Hampshire Ave. The store was out of compliance for its cold and hot holding temperatures.

The temperature of pizza inside the hot holding cabinet was 127 F. Chicken in the same cabinet was found to have a temperature of 117 F. The hot holding cabinet had a temperature of 126 F.

"Insufficient hot holding temperatures of potentially hazardous foods observed inside the cabinet on front counter," the inspection report said. "Maintain hot foods at proper hot holding temperatures of 135 degrees F or more."

The 7-Eleven store had two violations of good retail practices, which, while not critical, needed to be remedied within 30 days.

• "No certified food manager is present. A Montgomery County certified food manager must be in immediate control of facility.
• "No employee with certification in food allergen awareness training is on site. An employee trained and certified in food allergen awareness must be on premise at all times of operation."

Hook & Reel

On Oct. 31, an HHS inspector responded to the Hook & Reel located at 11006 Views Mill Road in response to a food borne illness complaint.

"The complainant ordered 2 crab cakes, 1/2 ear of corn, bread, lettuce and tomato for delivery on 10/14/23 evening, and subsequently had symptoms of food borne illness," the report said.

The inspector found two critical violations involving the hot holding temperature of food and improper hand washing at the restaurant:

• "Steamed potatoes observed at 96 degrees F in steam table with no water. Maintain hot held food temperature at 135 degrees F or above. Potatoes set to be reheated to 165 degrees F before returning to hot hold.
• "Employee observed wiping gloved hands on clothing. Employee observed drying hands on cloth towel. Employee immediately informed, washed hands and dried with a paper towel. Retrain employees in proper hand washing and glove use.

The inspector observed several violations of good retail practices, which, while not critical, needed to be corrected within 30 days.

• "Container of cloudy water with floaters observed next to flour container at fry station. Label water with time and change regularly, at a minimum of every 4 hours.
• "Lettuce observed stored next to chicken in walk in fridge. Separate.
• "Employee observed eating in kitchen. Do not eat in kitchen.
• "Cold held foods observed stacked above refrigerated level of sandwich prep unit. Discontinue practice. REPEAT VIOLATION
• "Water observed between stacked dishes. Allow dishes to fully air dry. REPEAT VIOLATION
• "Shrimp observed thawing at room temperature. Use approved thawing method.
• "Residue observed on knives and vegetable peelers. Residue observed on can opener. Wash, rinse and sanitize.
• Hot water observed at a maximum of 96 degrees F in men's bathroom. Provide hot water at a minimum of 100 degrees F.
• Hand soap dispenser and paper towel holder for bar hand sink located directly over shelf with open mixers and bottles of liquor. Prevent contamination from dripping soap or water.
• "Food debris observed on floor, under shelves and water heater, and around soda tanks. White residue observed on wall behind cookline. Flour observed spilled on shelf beside fryers. Clean. REPEAT VIOLATION"

The inspector also noted that the dishwashers in the kitchen and at the bar were broken and needed to either be repaired or replaced. In addition, knives and a cutting board used to cut vegetables, including lettuce and tomatoes, was also used to cut meat. The restaurant needed to ensure that the cutting counter, cutting boards and knives are thoroughly cleaned between tasks.

Irenes Pupusa

An Oct. 31 inspection of Irenes Pupusa located at 12391 George Ave. revealed three critical violations, involving the storage and handling of food, as well as improper hand cleaning.

• "Beef observed at 48 degrees F on prep table.
• "Ice meant for drinking observed being used as storage (beer) and a cup used to scoop the ice.
• "Employees not using soap to wash their hands.
• No food thermometer provided.

The inspector also reported a number of violations of good retail practices that needed to be addressed within the next 30 days.

• "Can opener blade and interior surfaces of ice making machine are dirty.
• "Surfaces of cutting boards at prep line are severely scratched and holding dirt. Note: Replace the cutting boards within 10 days. Make sure you clean and sanitize every 4 hours.
• "Currently the facility is not under direct supervision of a manager with allergen awareness certification.
• "Mice droppings observed on boxes and floor surfaces in the back kitchen area.

To emphasis the seriousness of the following violations, the inspector wrote them in capital letters.

• "CLEAN THROUGHOUT TO REMOVE MICE DROPPINGS.
• "STORE ALL ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR SO AS TO MAKE THE FLOOR AREAS ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING AND VERMIN MONITORING.
• "CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENTS, THOUGHOUT."

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