Clinton County restaurant inspections: Raw meats being stored over dressings, taco shells

ST. JOHNS — When health inspectors visit local restaurants, they document problems that need addressing to meet state standards.

The most serious problems are considered priority violations, which present potential health hazards and should be corrected immediately. Priority foundation violations do not present immediate health hazards but should be corrected in a timely manner. Follow-up inspections and reports may consequently happen.

In most cases, the violations are corrected, and this information isn't an indication that violations at any establishment are still an ongoing issue.

Here are the most serious violations for restaurants in Clinton County for the month of May.

Two priority violations were found at:

The Emerald Golf Course , 2300 W. Maple Rapids Road, St. Johns

Raw eggs were being stored over ready-to-eat cheese slices, and raw burger was being stored over salad dressings. The food items were rearranged so "all raw animal foods are stored below ready-to-eat food items," correcting the violation. The dish machine was not properly sanitizing.

One priority violation and three priority foundation violations were found at:

Leo's Boat Shed , 117 Main St., Maple Rapids

Ground beef patties and green beans were being stored in the reach-in cooler at 46 degrees Fahrenheit, or 5 degrees over the standard limit. There were no discard dates for coleslaw, chili, lemon mayo, cooked and cooled green beans and an open container of oven-cooked chicken. Menus do not have the proper consumer advisories. There were no sanitizer test strips. The handwashing sink was blocked by a "large garbage receptacle and the mop." Some violations were corrected during the inspection.

One priority violation and two priority foundation violations were found at:

Country Spice Catering , 5556 E. M-21, St. Johns

Raw chicken was being stored over taco shells. Violation was corrected by moving items so that "all raw animal foods" were being stored below ready-to-eat foods. There was improper date marking for pasta salad and cooked rice, which was corrected, and there were no sanitizer test strips.

One priority violation was found at:

Knights of Columbus Hall , 5300 N. Grand River Ave., Lansing

An inspector observed raw eggs being stored over canned and bottled beer and pop in the cooler. Items were moved around for a correction.

Knob Hill Tavern , 8430 Old U.S. 27, DeWitt

An inspector noticed an apparent sinkhole at the western end of the drain field, indicating a line break, and "sewage is now flowing into the ground, and not properly dispensing through the on-site sewage disposal system as designed." The inspector said the problem had to be corrected in 10 days.

Vista Springs Timber Ridge Village , 16260 Park Lake Road, East Lansing

Sliced turkey and hot dogs had expired use-by dates.

The Legacy at The Willows , 3510 Coolidge Road, East Lansing

Chili in the reach-in cooler registered between 78 and 90 degrees F. When it was placed in the cooler was not known. Foods are supposed to be cooled from above 135 degrees F to below 70 F within two hours. The chili was discarded, and the issue was considered resolved after discussions between the inspector, the person in charge and the kitchen cook.

One priority foundation violation was found at:

Jet's Pizza , 2417 Ontario Drive, St. Johns

"Specifically the pre-made/partially made pizza for single slice service was found in its holding area without proper time marking." The situation was corrected.

Scooby Doo's Old Fashioned Ice Cream , 126 N. Bridge St., DeWitt

An inspector had issues with datemarking for foods requiring time and temperature controls. Specifically, chili, hot dogs, milk and multiple other TCS foods did not have discard dates. Violation was corrected by giving the items a discard date.

Village Center at The Willows , 3500 Coolidge Road, East Lansing

There was improper date marking on several products and specifically on the "Western Mix." The violation was corrected by educating the person in charge on the proper date-marking procedure.

Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Clinton County restaurant inspections: Raw meats being stored over dressings, taco shells