Tompkins County Health Department Home

Highlights - Food Protection Program

August 2010

No Critical Violations

Routine facility inspections are made without advance notice. It is important to keep in mind that inspections are only a “snapshot” in the entire year of a facility’s operation and they are not always reflective of the day-to-day operations and overall condition of the operation.

No critical violations were found during routine inspections at the following establishments:

Aladdin’s Natural Eatery, C-Ithaca
BJ Martin Camp-Summer Feeding Site, C-Ithaca
Beach House Bar & Grill, T-Lansing
Bella Pizza, C-Ithaca
Brecht’s Ice Cream Truck, Throughout Tompkins County
Carriage House Café, C-Ithaca
Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services, T-Ulysses
Cedar View Golf Course, T-Lansing
Cinnamon Shoppe & Deli, T-Lansing
Dryden Community Center Café, V-Dryden
Dryden Veterans Memorial Home, T-Dryden
Easy Wok, V-Lansing
Enfield Day Camp Summer Feeding Site, T-Ithaca
Fabrizio New York Pizzeria, V-Trumansburg
Felicia’s Atomic Lounge, C-Ithaca
Glenwood Pines, T-Ulysses
Ithaca Zen Center Food Service, T-Danby
John Thomas Steakhouse, T-Ithaca
Kyushu Japanese Restaurant, V-Lansing
Lakewatch Inn, V-Lansing
Lupos Spiedie Cart, Throughout Tompkins County
Mate Factor, C-Ithaca
Maxie’s Supper Club & Oyster Bar, C-Ithaca
Old 76 Club, T-Caroline
Plantation Bar & Grill, T-Dryden
Rascal’s, T-Ulysses
Sicilian Delight, V-Lansing
State Diner, C-Ithaca
Stella’s, C-Ithaca
Subway Sandwiches & Salads, T-Ulysses
Taughannock Falls State Park, T-Ulysses
Tompkins County Jail, T-Ithaca
Uncle Joe’s Grill & Sports Bar, C-Ithaca
Westy, C-Ithaca

Temporary Food Service Establishment Permits are issued for single events at one location

No critical violations were found at the following Temporary establishments:

Dryden Lake Festival, T-Dryden
Dryden Rotary Club
Hallock’s Hard Times
Meg-A-Moo’s Ice Cream
Town of Dryden Recreation

Groton Old Home Days, V-Groton
Big Bore Barbeque
Foggy Bog Hunting Club
Groton Cheerleading
Groton Community Church
Groton Fire Department
Midway Foods
Special Event Attractions

Lansing Harbor Festival, T-Lansing
Daniel Weed dba Schoolyard Sugarbush
Lansing Varsity Cheerleading

Trumasnburg Fair, T-Ulysses
Acapulco Mexican Grill
American Legion Post 770
Coleman Bros Shows French Fries
Coleman Bros Shows Fried Dough
Coleman Bros Shows Pizza I
Coleman Bros Shows Pizza II
Coleman Bros Shows Popcorn
Coleman Bros Shows Sausage
Coleman Bros Shows Soft Serve
Fowler’s Taffy
Jerry’s Lunch Concessions
Red’s Lunch

Other:
Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Fair, T-Dryden
Ithaca Lions Club Chicken BBQ, C-Ithaca
Newhart’s Lodge, LLC Ithaca Company Picnic, T-Enfield
Town of Lansing Chicken BBQ, T-Lansing
Trumansburg Color Guard Chicken BBQ, V-Trumansburg

Re-inspections are conducted at establishments that had a Critical Violation during the initial inspection.

No critical violations during re-inspections at the following establishments:

Bandwagon Brewpub, C-Ithaca
Blue Stone, C-Ithaca
Bru Dogs at Dryden Lake Festival, T-Dryden
Dunkin Donuts, V-Dryden
Joe’s Restaurant, C-Ithaca
Main Street Pizzeria, V-Groton
Napoli Pizzeria, C-Ithaca
Pizza Aroma, C-Ithaca
Sammy’s Italian Buffet, C-Ithaca
Waterwheel Café, V-Freeville

The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Inspection is an opportunity for the establishment to have the health department review food processes in the facility to make sure that all potential hazards are identified and to assure that the best food safety practices are being used.

HACCP Inspections were conducted at the following establishments:

None to report this month

Critical Violations

The violations listed below relate directly to factors that could lead to food-borne illness or injury. These violations generally involve the food source and condition, food cooking and storage temperatures, sanitary practices, water and sewage, and the use of poisonous materials.

Critical Violations were found at the following establishments:

Bandwagon Brupub, C-Ithaca
Potentially hazardous foods were not cooled by an approved method.  Par-cooked French fries were observed at 70-76ºF in a cooler.  The product was voluntarily discarded during the inspection.

A re-inspection was satisfactory.

Main Street Pizzeria, V-Groton
Cooked or prepared foods were subject t o cross-contamination from raw foods.  Fresh shell eggs were observed stored over lettuce and tomatoes for customer service.  The storage was re-arranged during the inspection.

A re-inspection was satisfactory.

Sammy’s Italian Buffet & Grill, C-Ithaca
Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or below 45ºF during cold holding.  Cut tomatoes and three bean salad were observed at 55-60ºF during cold holding.  The products were rapidly chilled to 45ºF or below prior to return to service.

Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or above 140ºF during hot holding.  Hamburgers were observed at 112-120ºF for customer service.  The product was rapidly re-heated to 165ºF prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was satisfactory.

Potala Café, Throughout Tompkins County
Potentially hazardous foods were not stored under refrigeration.  Beef steamed dumplings were observed at 124-128ºF.  The product was rapidly re-heated to 165ºF prior to return to service.

Board of Health action will follow for violation of Board of Health Orders.

A-1 Pizzeria, T-Dryden
Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or below 45ºF during cold holding.  Cut tomatoes were observed at 51-53ºF.  The product was rapidly chilled to 45ºF or below prior to return to service.

Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or above 140ºF during hot holding.  Cream of broccoli soup was observed at 128-130ºF.  The product was rapidly re-heated to 165ºF prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was not completed prior to submission of this report.

CU-Statler Hotel-Banfi’s, C-Ithaca
Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or below 45ºFduring cold holding.  Sliced tomatoes were observed at 55ºF. The product was rapidly chilled to 45ºF or below prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.

CU-Statler Hotel-Terrace Dining
Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or above 140ºF during hot holding.  Hamburgers and cheeseburgers were observed at 128ºF.  The products were voluntarily discarded during the inspection.

A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.

The Rose, V-Lansing
Enough refrigerated storage equipment was not properly maintained to keep potentially hazardous foods at or below 45ºF.  Half and half and vitamin water were observed at 55ºF in a cooler.

A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.

Madeline’s Restaurant, C-Ithaca
Enough refrigerated storage equipment was not properly maintained so that potentially hazardous foods are stored at or below 45ºF.  Cooked soba noodles were observed at 50-53ºF.  The product was voluntarily discarded during the inspection.  A repair-person was called.

A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.

Peking Restaurant, V-Lansing
Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or below 45ºF during cold holding.  Chicken, pork, and beef
were observed at  52-55ºF.  The products were rapidly chilled to 45ºF or below prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.

Rogue’s Harbor Steak & Ale, T-Lansing
Cooked or prepared foods were subject to cross-contamination from raw foods.  Raw steak, scallops, fish, and ground beef were observed stored over ready-to-serve foods.  The storage was re-arranged during the inspection.

Potentially hazardous foods were not stored under refrigeration.  Cut tomatoes were on a shelf at 55-60ºF.  The product was rapidly chilled to 45ºF prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.

Glenn Wursthaus, (Temporary Food Service Establishment), Lansing Harbor Festival, T-Lansing
Accurate thermometers were not available at the time of the inspection.  A food thermometer was obtained and will be used to evaluate potentially hazardous foods.

A re-inspection was not conducted due to the one day duration of the event.

Pendergast PPPBS, Inc., (Temporary Food Service Establishment), Lansing Harbor Festival, T-Lansing
Potentially hazardous foods were at improper temperatures between 45ºF and 140ºF.  Meatballs were observed at 130ºF.  The product was rapidly re-heated to 165ºF prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was not conducted due to the one day duration of the event.

Hatfield Catering at Lansing Harbor Festival, T-Lansing
Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or above 140ºF during hot holding.  Cooked potatoes were observed at 130ºF.  The product was rapidly re-heated to 165ºF prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was not conducted due to the one day duration of the event.

Crossroads Bar & Grille at Lansing Harbor Festival, T-Lansing
Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or below 45ºF during cold holding.  Sliced cheese was observed at 50ºF.  The product was placed in a freezer for rapid chilling to 45ºF or below prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was not conducted due to the one day duration of the event.

The Olde Stone Mill Baker, Dryden Lake Festival, T-Dryden
Potentially hazardous foods were at improper temperatures between 45ºF and 140ºF.  Grated cheese and cut tomatoes were observed at 56-60ºF.  The products were rapidly chilled to 45ºF or below prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was not conducted due to the one day duration of the event.

Subway-The Commons, C-Ithaca
Potentially hazardous food was not kept at or above 140ºF during hot holding.  Cooked meatballs were observed at 110-115ºF.  The product was rapidly re-heated to 165ºF prior to return to service. 

A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.

Souvlaki House, C-Ithaca
Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or below 45ºF during cold holding.  Ham, feta cheese, cut tomatoes, and cut cantaloupe were observed at 50-63ºF.  The products were rapidly chilled to 45ºF or below prior to return to service.

A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.

Taste of Thai, C-Ithaca
Potentially hazardous foods were not kept at or below 45ºF during cold holding.  Raw chicken, raw beef, cut tomatoes, cooked tofu, and bean sprouts were observed at 50-52ºF.  The products were rapidly chilled to 45ºF or below prior to return to service.
A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.   

Tamarind, C-Ithaca
Accurate thermometers were not available to evaluate potentially hazardous foods.  No thermometer was available at the time of the inspection to evaluate potentially hazardous foods.

Potentially hazardous foods were stored under refrigeration.  Cooked rice was observed at 83ºF.  The product was voluntarily discarded during the inspection.

A re-inspection was not conducted prior to submission of this report.

Pre-Operational Activities:

Plans | Permits | Inspections | Temporary Permits

Plans Were Approved for the following facilities:

None this month

Permits Were Issued for the following facilities:

None this month

Pre-Operational inspections are conducted, following a thorough review and approval of proposed plans, at new or extensively remodeled facilities to ensure code compliance prior to opening to the public.

Pre-Operational Inspections were conducted at the following facilities:

None this month

Temporary Food Service Permits are issued for single events at one location.

Temporary Permits were Issued for the following operations:

None this month

Other:

The Food Protection Program received and investigated four complaints related to issues and/or problems at permitted food service establishments.  The complaints included food preparation and service, temperature abuse, accumulated garbage, and possible food related illness. One complaint was received and referred to the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Area Food Inspection Scam

The Tompkins County Health was notified by a local restaurant owner that a fraudulent restaurant inspection was attempted at their facility.A caller called the facility claiming to be a New York State inspector, asked for cell phone numbers, tried to schedule a facility inspection, and stated a fine of $500 would be imposed if the information was not given.  The incident was identical to reports of a scam reported to the New York Association of County Health Officials about restaurants in six states that had received telephone calls asking to schedule an inspection, give out cell phone numbers, and collect money. 

The Tompkins County Health Department has strict standards for restaurant inspections which include:

  1. all restaurant inspections are unannounced  and the Health Department never contacts the restaurant in advance of routine inspections
  2. every Health Department restaurant inspector carries a Tompkins County Health Department identification badge to inspections
  3. each Health Department restaurant inspector leaves a signed restaurant inspection report with the restaurant operator
  4. the Health Department does not issue fines or penalties on site (collect money) as a result or the inspection findings

Restaurant operators should ask for identification of any restaurant inspector and should refuse access to the facility if Tompkins County Health Department identification is not provided.  Any suspicious or fraudulent calls should be reported immediately to local law enforcement officials.

Carol Chase issued a press release regarding this scam and that information resulted in interviews with the Cortland Standard and the Cayuga Radio Group.

 

— End of report — 

 

Page updated: April 20, 2011  |  Webmaster