Restaurant inspection update: Mold, green slime and ‘raw turkey tails’

In the past month, state and county food inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and grocery stores for hundreds of food-safety violations. (Photo by Clark Kauffman/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa restaurants and stores have been cited for hundreds of food-safety violations in recent weeks, including a Clayton County eatery cited for long-expired juice and milk, moldy cheese and an ice dispenser with green slime growing in it.

“Employees on site could not answer basic questions regarding food establishment operations,” a state inspector reported during a visit to the Fast Trak restaurant and convenience store in Elkader. “Many live and dead flies and gnats were observed in lobby, kitchen, back prep area and ware-washing areas. Hanging, sticky fly traps heavily loaded with dead flies were observed throughout the establishment.”

The findings are among those reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level. Listed below are some of the more serious findings that stem from inspections at Iowa restaurants, cafeterias and stores over the past four weeks.

The state inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a “snapshot” in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment.

For a more complete list of all inspections, along with additional details on each of the inspections listed below, visit the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing website.

Fast Trak, 24687 Highway 13, Elkader – Since mid-May, this establishment has been inspected three times and in each instance was cited for several major violations.

On May 17, a state inspector concluded the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number of risk-factor violations.

The inspector noted that the open-air reach-in coolers where house-made sandwiches, desserts and commercially packaged meats and cheeses were displayed was keeping food at 47 degrees, which was too warm to ensure safety. All of the house-made, temperature-controlled food items were then discarded.

The inspector also found several containers of milk dated April 3, 2024 – six weeks prior to the inspection – in a cooler, and juice that was dated Aug. 6, 2023.

“Coke machine ice dispenser chute in lobby has green, slimy material growing in it,” the inspector reported. “Front microwave, fryer, ice cream machine, hot-holding cabinets, and lobby soda and coffee/cocoa dispensers are soiled with grease and food residue.”

The inspector also noted that there were several large, open-air coolers that appeared to be inoperable.

The inspector returned on June 12 and again noted that the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number of risk-factor violations that were found.

A container of shredded cheese, a block of white cheese, a block of cheddar cheese and a container of black olives were each “adulterated with a mold-like substance,” the inspector reported, adding that one of the tree-tiered, open-air display coolers was storing meat and cheese at 44 to 46 degrees, which was too warm to ensure safety. The inspector also reported finding expired mashed potatoes, cheese and olives.

“Coke machine ice dispenser chute in lobby has green, slimy material growing in it,” the inspector reported for the second time.

In addition, several areas and pieces of equipment, including a utensil drawer, shake mixer, cappuccino machine and soda machine were soiled with food and beverage debris.

On July 19, the inspector returned and reported that “employees on site could not answer basic questions regarding food establishment operations.” Again, the inspector concluded the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number of risk-factor violations that were found.

A zucchini, a bulk package of raw bacon, two large containers of potato gravy, and a block of cheddar cheese that was dated April 12, 2023 – a full year before the inspection – were each “adulterated with mold-like substances.”

Also, house-made, packaged desserts such as cakes, cheesecakes and cookies had no date markings at all, and the inspector found expired potato salad, Mexican street corn, pasta salad, cream cheese filling and whole milk.

“Coke machine ice dispenser chute in lobby has green, slimy material growing in it,” the inspector reported for the third time. “Many live and dead flies and gnats were observed in lobby, kitchen, back prep area and ware-washing areas. Hanging, sticky fly traps heavily loaded with dead flies were observed throughout the establishment.”

Dead insects were also found in the three-tiered, open-air display cooler, and uncovered, exposed foods — including hamburger patties, chicken patties and fryer foods – were found inside one freezer. While the inspection was underway, two customers complained about the lack of toilet tissue in the bathroom but the staff failed to address the issue until the inspector intervened.

The trash bins were surrounded by garbage and the lids were not closed, which was attracting “many insects,” the inspector reported. “Lobby and back storage areas have heavy accumulation of litter, empty cardboard boxes, broken and unused equipment, a lawn mower, tools, fans, and other maintenance equipment.”

Cerro Grande Meats and Market, 311 E. Main St., Ottumwa – During a July 22 visit, a state inspector cited this business for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number, and concluded that the person in charge was unable to fulfill their duties as evidenced by the extent of the violations.

Condensation was leaking from the walk-in cooler’s compressor onto the floor, and “a box of raw turkey tails” was stored directly on that same floor. “The box was saturated with condensate, and the condensate entered the box adulterating the turkey tails inside,” the inspector observed.

In addition, the store did not have the required labeling information — such as ingredients, quantity and the name of the manufacturer — for packaged breads and buns acquired from a Marshalltown bakery. Also, packages of raw pork were not labeled with the required instructions for safe handling.

The inspector also reported that cooked, ready-to-eat pork was stored on top of raw meat in the same tray within a retail display case, and both meats had to be discarded. The inspector also observed that containers of carnitas and packaged salsas stored inside a walk-in cooler were not date-marked to ensure freshness and safety. The establishment was not properly sanitizing food containers and utensils, and had not properly labeled repackaged bags of brown sugar, bean, peanuts and pasta for retail sale, according to the inspector.

Also, “bags of frozen meats and fish” packaged at the store were not labeled with their common name, and there was a non-working freezer chest that was “visibly soiled with accumulated debris” and which contained “numerous crawling and flying insects.” Plastic food containers were not being effectively washed and were visibly soiled with accumulated food debris even after “sanitizing,” and the toilets in both restrooms were not properly sealed at their base and were leaking water and waste onto the floor.

The inspection was in response to a non-illness complaint regarding adulterated food from “poor personal hygiene due to unattended cooking.” The state inspector reported that he discussed with management the need for outdoor grilling operations to be monitored by the staff to prevent any adulteration of the food, but concluded the complaint was unverified.

The Fountains Assisted Living Center, 3752 Thunder Ridge Road, Bettendorf – During a July 24 inspection of this care facility’s food service, a Scott County inspector cited the business for six risk-factor violations. The inspector noted there were individually portioned cups of cut melon sitting out in the kitchen and holding at 60 degrees, and two packages of open deli meat products and one container of cooked lasagna that lacked date markings to ensure freshness and safety. The lasagna was discarded.

The inspector also found one container of house-made dressing with a date of July 16, an open container of hot dogs dated July 17, and a container of cooked potatoes dated July 11. All of the food products had been held beyond the allowable seven days and were discarded. The inspector also made note of an accumulation of food debris, soil or dust on knives, the interior of a utensil drawer and the top interior ledge of the ice machine.

In June 2023, The Fountains Assisted Living Center was cited for 12 risk-factor violations associated with food safety.

Hy-Vee Foods, 320 W Street, Grinnell – During a July 22 visit, a state inspector concluded the person in charge “was not knowledgeable in responsibilities or procedures related to food-borne illness and employee illness.” In addition, not all of the employees designated as the “person in charge” were certified food protection managers as required.

The inspector concluded the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number of violations and the lack of knowledge related to cross-contamination, cleaning and sanitizing methods, and the overall lack of active managerial control.

In the Market Grille area, an inspector found a whole, raw turkey stored on top of cans of soda inside walk-in cooler and in a retail meat case there were packages of ground beef stored over whole beef brisket and packages of chicken stored over pork loin, creating a risk of cross-contamination.

In the Market Grille food-prep area, the inspector found sausage patties and sliced tomatoes that were holding at 43 to 45 degrees, which was too warm to ensure safety. Also, there were pans of baked potatoes, cooked sausage patties, sausage links and bacon inside a walk-in cooler and which lacked any markings to indicate when they were prepared or needed to be discarded.

Also in the Market Grille area, the inspector reported that the drip tray of the soda-dispensing machine had “a buildup of mold-like residue” and there was a non-working dishwashing machine.

In the produce department, the inspector found an open container of sour cream that was still in use despite a use-by date of June 27, three weeks prior to the inspection. The inspector also reported finding open containers of refried beans, cream cheese and salsa that lacked date markings.

Also in the produce department, the inspector observed stagnant water and what he called a “heavy buildup of mold-like” substance on the base of the cutting boards and on containers underneath the cutting boards.

“Floor and drain cleaner is being used to clean equipment in the produce prep area,” the inspector reported. “Numerous flies were observed in the Market Grille, Bakery, and Meat Department. Flies were observed on food-contact surfaces.”

Prior to the July 22 visit, the store was last inspected in March 2022, according to state records.

Simple food-safety questions could not be answered ... No hand washing was observed when staff began working with food.

– Linn County inspector referring to Wingstop in Cedar Rapids

Wingstop, 2360 Edgewood Road SW, Cedar Rapids – During a July 24 visit, a Linn County inspector cited this establishment for 14 risk-factor violations, an exceptionally high number. The inspector observed the restaurant was being run “with temporary labor and with no person in charge,” and found that “simple food-safety questions could not be answered” by the staff.

“No hand washing was observed when staff began working with food,” the inspector reported, adding that “sliced potatoes for fries are set out at room temperature” with no time controls in place to ensure freshness and safety.

In addition, cut potatoes and house-made dressings and sauces were not date marked, and the bin that contained ice for customers’ beverages “had growth on the interior.”

El Delicioso Street Tacos, 2450 E. Shawnee Ave., Des Moines – An inspection of this food truck took place July 20 at the Water Lantern Festival in Des Moines. The state inspector concluded the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the extent and severity of the violations found.

“Employees did not wash their hands prior to preparing and reheating various meats and vegetables on the flat top, as the handwashing sink was non-functional,” the inspector reported.

In addition, queso prepared at 1 p.m. did not cool to 70 degrees within two hours as required and had to be discarded after being measured at 86 degrees at 5 p.m.

In addition, the cooked steak was holding at 117 degrees and 62 degrees; cooked vegetables were holding at 114 and 64 degrees, and cooked beef patties and chicken were holding at 95 degrees and 65 degrees, respectively. All of the items were deemed outside safe temperature ranges and had to be discarded, along with hot dogs, raw steak pieces and sliced cheese.

“No foods were marked with their preparation, opening, or thaw dates throughout the mobile food unit,” the inspector reported, “including shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and cooked beans prepared the previous day.”

There was no food thermometer on the premises, and the inspector found multiple containers of rice that were stored on a counter without any temperature control. The inspector concluded that the food truck didn’t appear to have enough hot-holding units for its scope of operations.

In addition, the food truck’s residential-style refrigerator did not appear to be capable of holding food at 41 degrees or colder, with the ambient air inside the refrigerator measured at 50 degrees. Also, the truck’s water pump was not working which meant that there was no water available.

“The interior floor under the flat-top grill is visibly soiled with accumulated grease and food debris,” the inspector reported.

A Taste of China, 4212 Douglas Ave., Des Moines – During a July 18 visit, a state inspector found that chicken, shrimp and noodles prepared prior the day before were inside the walk-in cooler and holding at 42 to 53 degrees, which was too warm to ensure safety. The food was discarded, and management agreed to use other coolers on the premises. The visit was in response to a complaint alleging what the inspector described as “improper storage in the seating area.” The complaint was deemed unverified.

La Finca, 916 W. 2 ^nd St., Davenport – During a July 12 visit, a Scott County inspector cited this establishment for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. Several violations were repeat offenses. Tamales in the walk-in freezer were being stored uncovered on the floor, and several boxes of tortilla shells were stored “on the ground” in the back storage area, the inspector reported.

Also, a large stock pot of refried beans in the refrigerator was measured at 74 degrees and so the beans were discarded. The inspector also reported finding rice on a steam table that was holding at 125 degrees and carnitas holding at 98 degrees.

The inspector also reported chicken in a refrigerator that was measured at 47 degrees and which had to be discarded, and cases of “whole beef roasts” that were measured at 49 degrees. Several food items, including salsas, chicken and vegetables, had no date markings. The visit was in response to an illness complaint the inspector deemed unverified.

Prior to the July 12 visit, LaFinca was last inspected in August 2023, when it was cited for 18 risk-factor violations.

The Bucksnort, 322 E. Coolbaugh St., Red Oak – During a July 12 visit to this restaurant, a state inspector found imitation crab meat that was “visibly spoiled with a sour smell” inside one of the coolers. The inspector also reported watching the staff handle ready-to-eat foods with their bare hands, and reported finding multiple unspecified foods that had no date markings to ensure freshness and safety.

In addition, the staff was thawing food in the basin of the handwashing sink. The inspector also reported, without elaboration, “missing” flooring and “a large hole outside of kitchen entrance.”

Liberty Street Kitchen, 705 E. 1st St., Pella – During a July 11 visit, a state inspector reported that raw, uncovered chicken was being stored above uncovered ice cream inside a freezer. Also, several food items in two separate cold-holding units were holding at temperatures above the maximum of 41 degrees, including cooked pasta at 48 degrees, hard boiled eggs at 47 degrees, fish at 55 degrees, deli meat and cheese balls at 54 degrees, and sliced tomatoes at 49 degrees. All of the out-of-temperature food items were discarded.

The inspector also reported finding pasta and several house-made dressings that were expired and had to be discarded. In addition, the inspector reported an accumulation of soil and debris on floors and shelves throughout the kitchen.

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, 1414 W. Locust St., Davenport – During a July 10 visit, a Scott County inspector noted that the staff was not washing their hands and was handling food items with their bare hands. “Multiple food products missing labeling for the prep dates,” the inspector reported. “Salsa verde, pollo and carnitas all were held well past their seven-day discard dates … Floors, walls, oven tray below the flat-top grill and ceilings all (marred by) dust, debris and gunk.“

CJ’s Sports Bar & Grill, 62 17 ^th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids – During a July 2 visit, a Linn County inspector reported the “kitchen staff does not demonstrate knowledge of proper food or cooler temperatures and fails to monitor them.”

The inspector noted that he was unable to verify whether there was a certified food protection manager on staff with supervisory responsibilities. “Certificate expired in 2018,” he reported.

One refrigerator that appeared to be incapable of holding food at temperatures at anything below 53 degrees, was being used to store refried rice, soup, deli meats, beef gravy, chicken gravy and stuffed enchiladas with beef, with the various food items measured at 53 degrees to 61 degrees. All of the temperature-controlled foods in the unit had to be discarded.

Prior to the July 2 visit, the restaurant was last inspected in March 2022 when it was cited for 11 risk-factor violations.

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