Summit County's Food Safety: Navigating the Fine Line Between Appetizing and Alarming
The health of Summit County's food scene is under scrutiny, with a recent inspection revealing a concerning number of violations. But which eateries are the biggest offenders? Let's dive into the details, but be warned—you might lose your appetite.
The Summit County Public Health team meticulously inspected various food establishments in September, from restaurants to grocery stores, as shown in the Akron Beacon Journal database. These inspections are vital as they ensure our food is safe to consume, especially with the potential for foodborne illnesses.
The Stakes Are High: Establishments with multiple violations face severe consequences, including license revocation or suspension, and in extreme cases, permanent closure.
The Top Violators in September:
Old Carolina Barbecue Co: This Stow-based restaurant had a whopping nine critical violations, such as dirty surfaces that touch our food, improper handwashing, and poisonous materials stored incorrectly (fixed during inspection).
Mustard Seed Market & Cafe: Located in Akron, this establishment also had nine critical violations, including the same issues as Old Carolina, plus improperly labeled containers of harmful substances.
Dos Coronas: In Sagamore Hills, inspectors found eight critical violations, including improperly stored poisonous substances, dirty food-contact surfaces, and live pests (all corrected during inspection).
Otani Japanese Restaurant: Hudson's Otani had eight critical violations, including an inaccessible handwashing sink, dirty surfaces, and the improper use of poisonous materials.
Akron Family Restaurant: Another Akron eatery with eight critical violations, including improper time control, live pests, and unclean food-contact surfaces (most issues were corrected during the inspection).
(The list continues with several other establishments, each with their own set of critical violations.)
Understanding the Violations:
Health inspectors focus on two types of violations: critical and non-critical. Critical violations are those that can directly lead to food contamination or illness if not addressed. This includes improper handling, cooking, or storing of food. For instance, not cooking meat to the right temperature or leaving food out for too long.
Non-critical violations, while not directly causing foodborne illnesses, can still be problematic. These might include issues like a dirty dining area or broken equipment, which could eventually lead to critical violations if left unattended.
The Inspection Process:
Summit County Public Health conducts seven types of inspections, each serving a unique purpose:
- Standard Inspection: Unannounced and comprehensive, covering all regulations.
- 30 Day Inspection: Mandatory for new food operations within 30 days of licensing.
- Pre-license Inspection: Optional consultation and education for new establishments.
- Critical Control Point (CCP): Scheduled or unannounced, focusing on processes that could cause contamination.
- Process Review (PR): Similar to CCP but for grocery and convenience stores, targeting specific processes.
- Follow-up Inspection: Scheduled re-inspection of previously non-compliant items.
- Complaint Inspection: Unannounced inspection based on a received complaint.
But here's where it gets controversial: While these inspections are essential for public health, they can also be a source of debate. Some argue that strict regulations might stifle culinary creativity, while others believe they are necessary to ensure customer safety. What's your take? Do you think the penalties for violations are fair, or is there room for leniency? Share your thoughts in the comments below, but remember to keep it civil!
