Water, power, permits among violations that closed Fresno-area food places in August
Health violations revolving around water, electricity, plumbing and permit issues were among the issues that forced the temporary closure of two Fresno County food establishments, including at an elementary school, by health inspectors in August.
The closures happened at Jackson Elementary School in Selma and at SK Donuts in southeast Fresno. The were the only two food businesses that failed inspections by the Fresno County Environmental Health Division in August — down from seven restaurants or shops in July.
At Jackson Elementary, on Huntsman Avenue and Wright Street near Selma High School, an Aug. 14 inspection determined that an unapproved mobile kitchen was operating without a permit. The site also had a lack of hot water and no permanent source of power. The problems resulted in closure until the water, power and permit issues were resolved, and the site was allowed to reopen on Aug. 26.
An Aug. 15 inspection visit at SK Donuts, on East Kings Canyon Road at Fowler Avenue, revealed that a floor sink drain and handwashing sink were not draining properly, causing wastewater to back up in violation of health codes. After fixing the issues, the donut shop was authorized to reopen following an Aug. 20 visit
A lack of hot water is one of the most common violations inspectors from the Department of Public Health find when they make their routine visits. Hot water at a temperature of at least 120 degrees is considered important by inspectors for safely washing pots, pans, dishes and glasses, and 100 degrees for employees to wash their hands.
What inspectors look for
The Fresno County Department of Public Health has about two dozen environmental health specialists who monitor almost 5,000 restaurants, snack bars, grocery stores, commissaries, delicatessens and food vendors across the county, making unannounced visits several times a year.
Restaurants also are inspected in response to complaints or other concerns from the public, including when people see what they believe are health or sanitation issues at restaurants.
Insect or vermin infestations are another type of violation that can result in immediate closure of restaurants or food businesses when they are observed by health inspectors.
Among other serious concerns for food safety are refrigerators that don’t keep food cold enough or steam tables that don’t keep food hot enough to inhibit bacterial growth, or clogged sinks or drains that cause contaminated water to back up into kitchens.
In most instances, if an inspector finds a problem, it’s something that can be fixed on the spot – issues such as having enough bleach or sanitizer in the water used to wipe down food-preparation areas, putting lids back onto containers in walk-in refrigerators, replenishing soap, paper towels and toilet paper in the restrooms, or reminding employees to wash their hands and wear gloves and hairnets.
When inspectors visit a restaurant or other food service business, there is a lengthy and detailed list of more than 50 things that draw their scrutiny. They include:
- Whether the manager and all employees have the required food safety or food-handling certificates.
- Hygiene of individual employees.
- Ways to keep cold food at or below 41 degrees and hot food above 135 degrees.
- Use of proper sterilization for counters, tables, utensils and cookware.
- Overall cleanliness.
- Proper drainage of sinks and floor drains.
- Restrooms stocked with supplies.
- Whether the business has the proper license or permit.
