Clinton County restaurant inspections: Chicken wings in ziplock bags not cool enough

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 June.

One priority violation and one priority foundation violation were found at:

Peppino's Pizza , 13177 Schavey Road, DeWitt

Chicken wings were in a cooler registering 45-53 degrees Fahrenheit, higher than the standard of 41 degrees or below. "The chicken wings were removed from the oven at 7 p.m. the night before and noted above 41 F within the walk-in cooler at 12:30 p.m. This exceeds the proper cooling time and temperatures." The chicken wings had been stored in ziplock bags, which was not considered a proper cooling method. The food was voluntarily discarded, and the inspector discussed the violations with the person in charge and kitchen staff. Corrected.

One priority violation was found at:

Main Street Cafe , 205 N. Clinton Ave., St. Johns

"It was noted that the dish washer was not washing their hands when going between the dirty end and the clean end of the dish machine. The hands become contaminated by the dirty dishes and will contaminate the clean dishes if proper handwashing is not done." The inspector had a discussion with the dish washer and the person in charge, and the matter was considered corrected.

Mancino's , 12900 S. U.S. 27, DeWitt

The dish machine was not properly sanitizing and dispensing the chlorine sanitizer. Corrected during a follow-up inspection. "At the time of the follow-up inspection the dish machine appears to be operating properly as required. The unit was serviced so that the chlorine sanitizer is properly dispensing at the proper concentration per the facility provided chlorine sanitizer test strips. At this time the violation is considered as resolved."

Pirate's Pub , 117 W. Main St., Westphalia

Raw burger was being stored over cooked bacon in a cooler, risking cross contamination. The food was reorganized, and the violation was considered corrected.

Subway , 7157 E. Saginaw Hwy., East Lansing

Foods requiring time and temperature controls should be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Here, mozzarella, cooked eggs, and sandwich meats including roast beef, salami and rotisserie chicken were being stored in coolers registering 45 and 47 degrees. The facility voluntarily discarded items. The inspector said two coolers must be repaired or replaced to store the meats. A follow-up inspection was planned.

Subway , 9595 M-21, Ovid

Cooked eggs, dressings and tomatoes were in a cooler registering 48 degrees F, and personal pizzas and sauces were in another cooler registering 45 degrees F. Items were discarded. Repairs or replacements were recommended. During a follow-up inspection, the coolers met the temperature requirements. The violation was considered corrected.

One priority foundation violation was found at:

Bruno's Bar , 226 N. Clinton Ave., St. Johns

Menus did not have the proper consumer advisories for raw and undercooked items. The issue was considered corrected during a June 13 follow-up inspection.

Relli's Sports Bar , 202 E. Main St., DeWitt

The inspector found unclean food contact surfaces, specifically, the can opener, especially the blade and the shelf behind the blade. "Violation corrected today by observing the facility properly cleaning (wash, rinse and sanitizing) food contact surfaces of the can opener and educating PIC that food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch."

Subway , 1085 S. U.S. 27, St. Johns

The handwashing sink in the kitchen was blocked by the wire rack holding the bread cooking trays. The wire rack was moved, and the matter was considered resolved.

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: Chicken wings in ziplock bags not cool enough