Springfield restaurants cited for not sanitizing equipment in this week's food inspections

Two restaurants this week were cited for not sanitizing their dishes after washing them, according to reports from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department restaurant inspectors.

To keep germs from spreading, it's necessary that utensils and equipment used to prepare or serve food be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Except in certain circumstances, the Missouri Food Code requires three-compartment sinks where these tasks can take place.

Both Corner 21 Chinese Cuisine, 1396 E. Sunshine St., and Tacos El Champu, 1342 W. Sunshine St., were cited for not completing that last step, according to SGCHD food inspection reports. Inspectors provided education and the violations were corrected on site.

Food inspections take place one to three times a year, depending on the type of food served, the population served, difficulty of food preparation and past history. Restaurants preparing food from raw ingredients are inspected more often "than convenience stores that serve only non-potentially hazardous foods, such as popcorn and soda," according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Each report identifies what was happening at the establishment at that time. Consumers who want to know whether a violation is a one-time thing or a pattern are encouraged to refer to previous reports.

More: Frequent reader of Greene County food inspections? Here's what inspectors want you to know

Issues found during inspection fall into either priority or non-priority violations. Priority violations impact the safety of the food, such as cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food, improper food temperature and poor personal hygiene and employee health. Multiple priority violations can lead to an establishment being shut down. Non-priority violations alone do not directly affect food safety, such as dirty floors, sticky tabletops or outside trash cans not being covered.

Here are food inspections from the past week:

417 Taphouse, 431 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Angela's Kitchen Creations, 1645 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed no hair restraint worn, corrected on site by putting on hair restrain.

Brew 21, food truck. Dec. 2 routine inspection – Result: active. Discussed all food sold must be from an approved source and what an approved source is. No violations noted.

Char, 1620 E. Republic Road, Springfield. Dec. 5 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed open energy drink can in food preparation area. No non-priority violations.

Corner 21 Chinese Cuisine, 1396 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Nov. 30 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed washing dishes manually without sanitizer step set up, education was given and violation was corrected by making sanitizer in the third sink; Observed egg tofu in the line prep cooler measuring at 47 degrees Fahrenheit, which was corrected by voluntarily discarding egg tofu. No non-priority violations.

El Rincon, 1645 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Dec. 5 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed no quat test strips available for quat solution.

Fairfield Inn and Suites, 2455 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Dec. 5 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed cream cheese and butter held at 49 degrees to 50 degrees, which were corrected by placing on time control and will be voluntarily discarded after breakfast service. Containers used will be placed in freezer now instead of just refrigerated. No non-priority violations.

Don't want to miss out? Stay in the loop with the News-Leader's Restaurant Roundup newsletter

Fast-N-Friendly No. 7, 3535 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed several boxes of outdated medicine on retail shelves, which were corrected at time of inspection. One non-priority violation: Observed no covered trash can in restrooms.

Fat Tony's Pizza Kitchen, 6287 S. Farm Road 25, Billings. Dec. 2 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted. One priority violation: Observed cheese held at 51 degrees in reach-in cooler, temperature correction was made at time of inspection. No non-priority violations.

Five Guys, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Nov. 30 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 2305 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Dec. 1 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Re-inspection will be conducted on Dec. 5 due to kitchen storage cold holder not maintaining proper internal temperature. Food will not be placed in unit until it is repaired and maintaining proper temperature. Two priority violations: 1. Observed ambient temperature of the kitchen storage cold holder was at 40 degrees to 41 degrees. Cut tomatoes inside were at 50 degrees and cut lettuce inside was at 49 degrees, both of which had been prepped an hour and a half to two hours earlier. Tomatoes and lettuce were moved to an adequate cold holder to allow for proper cold holding and cooling, and a re-inspection is scheduled for Dec. 5. 2. Observed straws placed directly under soap dispenser at handwashing sink, which is a potential source of contamination. Soap fell easily from soap dispenser onto straws, soaking straws with liquid soap inside their paper wrapping. Affected straws were discarded and the rest of the unaffected straws were moved to a safe location. Education given and violation corrected on site.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 2305 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Dec. 5 re-inspection – Result: active. Re-inspection conducted. Kitchen storage cold holder has been repaired and is now maintaining adequate internal and ambient temperature. Food may be placed inside unit for cold holding and cooling. No violations noted.

Gloria Deo Academy, 3146 S. Golden Ave., Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

More: 'So many firsts': Missouri Gov. Mike Parson reflects on tenure as he enters final year

Highland Springs Country Club, 5400 S. Highland Springs Blvd., Springfield. Nov. 30 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed chili, a potentially hazardous food, in the walk-in cooler at 45 degrees. The chili was reheated to 165 degrees and then cooled properly. No non-priority violations.

Hong Kong Inn No. 1, 1632 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Dec. 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed cases of chicken sitting directly on the wet floor in the walk-in cooler, education was given.

Hy-Vee Kitchen, 2150 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Kiss Bar & Grill, 2250 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Nov. 30 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Kum & Go No. 498, 104 N. Missouri Blvd., Rogersville. Nov. 30 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed potentially hazardous food items in second open case in the front of the cooler, which was holding at 43 degrees to 46 degrees. Oats above 45 degrees were immediately discarded and all front items moved to alternate cooler, items in back of unit were at 39 degrees Manager placed work order. No non-priority violations.

Kum & Go No. 498, 104 N. Missouri Blvd., Rogersville. Dec. 4 re-inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed open case cooler is emptied, person in charge did not stock case after repair due to ambient air temperature being at 43 degrees. Person in charge said maintenance is coming back out, will call inspector when repaired. Item moved from priority to non-priority since no potentially hazardous foods were in unit at time of follow-up.

More: Greene County jury acquits former Missouri State University student of 2019 sexual assault

Metropolitan Grill, 2931 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Nov. 30 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Next Stop C-Stores, LLC, 1620 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Niji Sushi Bar & Grill, 3938 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed utensils being stored unclean, corrected by properly cleaning items at time of inspection. One non-priority violation: Observed tempura not documented with time placed out of temperature when using time as control, which was corrected at time of inspection.

Park Central Market, 331 Park Central East, Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. Two violations cited at time of inspection were corrected prior to exit. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed cartons of raw shell eggs and packages of raw bacon stored above lunch meat and cookie dough, which was corrected by moving products; observed self-service Coke dispenser was leaking on the cabinet, which was corrected by staff putting two trays under hose to catch drips.

Popeye's No. 775 - HZ Ops Holdings Inc., 1710 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Nov. 30 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

More: All of our 2023-24 Missouri State, high school basketball preseason coverage in one place

Price Cutter Plus No. 50 Cold Deli, 3260 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. A re-inspection will take place on Dec. 7 to re-check the olive bar cold holder temperature to ensure unit is cold holding at 41 degrees or below. Two priority violations: 1. Observed left side of olive bar cold holder was running between 52 degrees and 53 degrees. Olives were at 52 degrees and mixed vegetables at 53 degrees. Product on left side of cold holder was voluntarily discarded by manager of deli area, including olives and mixed veggies. Right side of olive bar cold holder was in the normal temperature range. Potentially hazardous food will not be put in the left side of the cold holder until it is repaired and a re-inspection is scheduled for Dec. 7. 2. Observed quaternary sanitizer in three-vat sink tested at or above 400 parts per million. Corrected on site when manager remade sanitizer solution in correct range. Two non-priority violations: Observed storage three-door cooler in deli area has a substantial amount of white and black mold growing inside of unit on walls and near vent fan, will recheck unit on Dec. 7; observed no sanitizer test kit in deli area for three-vat sink, corrected by manager finding test kit in different area and bringing it back to deli area.

Price Cutter Plus No. 50 Fonnies Tap, 3260 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed quaternary sanitizer solution in bucket tested at or above 400 ppm, corrected by employee remaking solution at acceptable range. One non-priority violation: Observed no sanitizer test kit in bar area, corrected by employee finding test kit in different area and bringing it back to bar.

Price Cutter Plus No. 50 Hot Bar/Pizza, 3260 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. A re-inspection will take place on Dec. 7 to check the salad bar. One priority violation: Observed salad dressings, including ranch dressing, at salad bar measured between 53 degrees and 56 degrees. Dressings were voluntarily discarded by manager and unit will not be used until properly repaired. One non-priority violation: Observed need for more frequent cleaning in hard-to-reach areas such as walk-in cooler floor, behind kitchen equipmrnt and sides of kitchen equipment.

Relics Event Center, 2015 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Dec. 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed a gap at the bottom of entrance door to event center.

More: Billboards for likely SPS board candidates went up weeks ago, marking early campaign start

Rise Nutrition, 1652 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. Dec. 2 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed no water in mobile unit, which was corrected at time of inspection. No non-priority violations.

Scooter's Coffee, 2930 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Dec. 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Seoul Oriental Market, 3165 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Dec. 5 routine inspection – Permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed open-case cooler holding tofu at 45 degrees. Three non-priority violations: Observed condensate buildup near door and on ceiling of walk-in freezer; observed boxes of pears stored on floor and chips stored on floor in boxes, which should be stored at least six inches off the ground and is a repeat violation; observed bagged fish missing fish name and weight, which is a repeat violation.

Shrimp Runner, 1834 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Dec. 2 routine inspection – Result: active. Inspector met person in charge in parking lot behind Whole Hog BBQ on north Glenstone Avenue. Person in charge had already dropped off live blue crabs before meeting with inspector. Person in charge had four ice chests in U-Haul pull-behind trailer connected to her pickup truck. All seafood was frozen or on ice at time of inspection. No violations noted.

Smashed, 420 N. Nettleton Ave., Springfield. Dec. 2 routine inspection – Result: active. Discussed time control procedures and cold holding requirements for working supplies of food. No violations noted.

Smoreish Killer Desserts, mobile unit. Dec. 2 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: No hair restraints on food prep employees.

More: Should Springfield mayors serve 4 years instead of 2? Question could go to voters in April

Strafford Schools Elementary, 201 W. McCabe St., Strafford. Dec. 6 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed hash brown triangles measured at 125 degrees to 126 degrees in the in hot hold unit, which was corrected by reheating them rapidly to over 165 degrees. Two non-priority violations: Observed condensate buildup below walk-in freezer compressor that is dripping onto boxes, six hot dogs with buns were voluntarily discarded and person in charge agrees not to store any food items below compressor until repaired; observed employee wearing long ponytail out of hat, which was corrected on site by restraining with hat.

Subway No. 3826, 321 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Nov. 30 routine inspection – Result: active. We discussed that no single-service items or food should be stored under hand sink drain lines unless in a container to prevent contamination. No priority violations. One non-priority violations: Observed three stacks of self-service cups not in plastic sleeves or dispensers.

Tacos El Champu, 1342 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: 1. Observed employee rinsing, washing with with soap and rinsing dishes again before placing on clean/ready-to-use rack. Education was provided on sanitization step and violation was corrected on site. 2. Observed multiple food items such as salsa, rice and cooked meats not properly date marked. Corrected on site and education provided. No non-priority violations.

Walgreens No. 5286, 1930 W. Grand St., Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Walmart Neighborhood Market No. 3111 Retail/Bakery, 545 W. El Camino Alto Drive, Springfield. Dec. 4 routine inspection – Result: Active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed GM-2 delivery door is bent and no longer tight fitting and GM-1 door has small gap between door sweeps. Send picture of repairs within 30 days.

Walmart Supercenter No. 444 Retail/Produce, 3315 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Nov. 30 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority item corrected, wall cooler now holding below 41 degrees as required. No violations noted.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield restaurants cited for not sanitizing equipment this week