Inspector Finds Employees Handling Food Barehanded, Unwashed Hands

Following is a list of five Peachtree Corners restaurants which have been inspected recently by the Gwinnett County's Board of Health.

Inspectors from the Board inspect area restaurants every six months and then grade them based on extensive criteria that include everything from food being stored at proper temperatures to employee hygiene.

Restaurants are required to display these reports in a prominent place for diners to view. This is what we found in a random search of inspections on the county's website.

• Observed employee wrapping bread stop wrapping bread, go put on a pair of gloves, go to the walk-in cooler, and come back to prepping bread with out washing hands. Had employee remove gloves and wash hands. Food employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles and:
• (i) After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed arms;
• (ii) After using the toilet room;
• (iii) After caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals;
• (iv) After coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating, or drinking, except for drinking from a closed beverage container and the container is handled to prevent contamination of the hands;
• (v) After handling soiled equipment or utensils;
• (iv) During food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks;
• (vii) When switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat food;
• (viii) Before donning gloves for working with food; and
• (ix) After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands.  Corrected On-Site.  New Violation.
• Observed employees grabbing small French fries by the top of the container causing bare hands to come in contact with fries. Had employees grab all fry cartons from the side or wearing gloves to prevent bare hand contact with food. Food employees shall not contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and shall use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing equipment.  Corrected On-Site.  New Violation.

• When the inspection began, there was a pan directly in the hand sink. The pan was removed. There should be no items in the hand sink. Hand sink is used for hand washing ONLY.  Corrected On-Site.  New Violation.
• The hand sink in the back kitchen area continues to run after being turned off. Repair sink. Sink should be maintained in good repair.  New Violation.

• The chemical sanitizing dishwasher was not dispersing the appropriate amount of solution on the dishes. (0 ppm). The sanitizer should be (50-100 ppm). Manager spoke with the company and they suggested to prime the machine due to the facility being closed for a few days. Sanitizing solution for dishwashing procedure should meet adequate concentration  New Violation.

• Cold-held potentially hazardous foods not maintained below 41oF; no time controls/documentation in place (as noted on temperature observations). Foods discarded. Must ensure all cold-held potentially hazardous foods are maintained at 41 F or below.  Corrected On-Site.  New Violation.
• Medicines for employee use not labeled with manufacturer’s label, and/or located to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service articles. A time of inspection, observed employee medicine (bottle of liquid Dayquil and two bottles of aspirin) being stored in a container above food and food prep surface. Items were being stored in same container that was holding single service lids. Medicines were removed. Must ensure all employee medicines are properly stored.  Corrected On-Site.  New Violation.
• Potentially hazardous foods not thawed under an approved method. At time of inspection, observed large pan of raw chicken thawing at room temperature in bulk storage area. Raw chicken placed back into to walk-in cooler to properly cool. Must ensure all potentially hazardous foods are properly thawed.  Corrected On-Site.  New Violation.
• Food thermometer not provided and readily accessible for use in ensuring attainment and maintenance of food temperatures. Facility does have a digital thermometer: however, thermometer did not work due to battery being dead. Must ensure a thermometer is provided at all times that is capable of testing thin masses of food.  New Violation.

• Two water bottles found (one in the cooler above food, the second with single use items). No straw. Both opened. Person in charge DISCARDED drinks at time of inspection. Employees shall consume food only in approved designated areas separate from food
• preparation and serving areas, equipment or utensil areas and food storage areas. However, drinking from a single service beverage cup with a secure lid and straw that is handled to prevent contamination of the employee’s hands, the container, exposed food, clean equipment, utensils and linens, unwrapped single-service and single-use articles will be allowed.  Corrected On-Site.  New Violation.
• Dumpster not equipped with drain plug. Drains in receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables shall have drain plugs in place.  New Violation.