Roach On Tabletop; Spoilable Food Not Kept Cool: Health Inspection

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

While both restaurants were found to be storing food at an incorrect temperature, the inspector found a dead roach in the prep area and a live one on a tabletop at one of the restaurants.

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."

Daily Dish

On Oct. 3, an HHS official reported a critical violation involving cold holding temperatures at the Daish located at 8301A in Silver Spring. Salsa, sliced tomato, pasta, and apple dessert stored in a two-door Hoshhizaki refrigerator had internal temperatures above 41F. The restaurant corrected the issue by rapidly cooling the food.

The following are violations of good retail practices and their corrective measures. While not critical, Daily Dish still needed to correct them within 30 days to bring them into compliance.

• "Hand sink not sealed to wall in front prep area. Seal.
• "Door gasket damaged on 1 door small prep unit. Repair or replace.
• "Debris buildup at 3 bay sink caulk line. Clean.
• "Dishes wet nesting on shelf above 3 bay sink. Air dry prior to stacking.
• "Hot water turned off at hand sink in dish area. Repair.
• "Vent dusty over dish area. Clean.
• "Holes/gaps in ceiling above dish machine. Seal.
• "Food stored on the floor in the storage area. Elevate."

Parkway Deli & Restaurant

During an Oct. 4 inspection, an HSS inspector the Daily Dish located at 8317 Grubb Road in Silver Spring had a critical violation due to its cold holding temperature. Some spoilable foods need to have an internal temperature of 41 F. or lower.

These included butter packets and noodles being kept on a table, coleslaw stored in a black deli case, and sliced tomato kept inside large prep unit. The restaurant rapidly cooled the items to bring them into compliance with the county health requirements.

The following are violations of good retail practices and their corrective measures. While not critical, Parkway Deli & Restaurant still needed to correct them within 30 days to bring them into compliance

• "Wet wiping cloth stored on the counter. Store wet wiping cloth in sanitizer.
• "Dish machine does not reach 180F. Gauge reads 165F Repair.
• "Thermometer not seen in some units. Provide.
• "Training procedures not seen in HACCP.
• "Dead roach seen in prep unit. Clean and sanitize. Live roach seen on tabletop Treat and clean
• "Food stored uncovered in walk-in freezer. Cover to protect.
• "Food stored on the floor in the Norlake walk-in freezer in the basement. Elevate.

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