Food past expiration dates and other violations in latest Columbus restaurant inspections

Each month, inspectors from the Georgia Department of Public Health visit restaurants and other establishments in Columbus to ensure proper food-handling and safety practices are followed.

Inspectors visited more than 50 Muscogee County restaurants, lounges, hotels and other establishments during May.

Among the establishments inspected, 20 earned perfect scores, with 28 also receiving an A grade. Seven establishments earned a B. None received a C.

How the grading system works

During inspections, restaurants receive one of four letter grades assigned based on how many points are deducted from 100:

• An A grade, for 90-100 points, means food safety is excellent.
• A B grade, for 80-89 points, means satisfactory compliance.
• A C grade, for 70-79 points, means marginal compliance.
• A U grade, for 69 points or fewer, means unsatisfactory compliance.

Establishments that receive a C or U will have at least one additional routine inspection added in 12 months, according to state law. Earning a B does not constitute a follow-up inspection.

Information about all inspections is at the Georgia Department of Public Health’s online portal.

Here is the full list of health inspection scores for Columbus restaurants inspected in May:

Restaurants receiving B grades and their violations

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, 1654 Whittlesey Road

• The handwashing sink in the main kitchen was without hot water at the time of inspection.
• An unknown liquid in a spray bottle was not labeled with its common name.
• A container of white substance was not labeled with a common name in the main kitchen under the prep table across from the ice cream machine.
• Several foods past expiration dates were found during the inspection.
• Items in the walk-in freezer that state “must be kept frozen” were unthawed.
• The walk-in freezer was not working properly.
• The most current inspection report was not posted.
• The facility had the incorrect testing strips for quat ammonia solutions.

McDonald’s #11822, 4121 Buena Vista Road

• Time/temperature control for safe food was holding at temperatures greater than 41*F in the walk-in cooler at the time of inspection.
• The walk-in cooler was reading above 41*F at the time of inspection. The cooler fan piping appeared to be frozen over.

McDonald’s #5031, 2525 Airport Thruway

• Stored milk was reaching temperatures greater than 41*F in the reach-in cooler in the front food service area.
• The walk-in cooler was not sealing properly, which caused the walk-in cooler to read at temperatures greater than 41*F. Cooler gasket in need of replacement.
• An employee stored a cellphone in the food prep area.

Old Chicago, 6581 Whittlesey Blvd.

• Several time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were cold-holding at temperatures greater than 41*F in several prep-top coolers and reach-in coolers in the main kitchen.
• Two containers of artichoke dip and a container of minced garlic are in the walk-in cooler with use-by dates of May 11.
• A container of pickles and a container of herb dressing in a walk-in cooler with use-by dates of May 12.
• A container of carrot sticks in a walk-in cooler with a use-by date of May 5.
• A container of creamy garlic dip in a walk-in cooler with a use-by date of May 8.

Pita Mediterranean Street Food, 6475 Gateway Road

• A sanitizing solution in a three-compartment sink was tested at a concentration of 0 ppm.
• Multiple pans in the drying rack area near the three-compartment sink with encrusted date stickers still intact from previous use.
• Food items in the reach-in-cooler near the fryer in the main kitchen area had no dates or had prep date May 2.
• The restaurant did not have a temperature-measuring device at the time of the inspection.

Pour Decisions, 5870 Veterans Parkway, Suite G

• Several time/temperature control for safety foods were temping above 41°F.
• Two food employees were preparing food without proper hair restraints.

Wing Town, 3960 Buena Vista Road

• A container of raw chicken was stored above and directly next to raw fish in the walk-in cooler in the main kitchen. A container of raw chicken was stored directly on top of a box of shelled eggs.
• The most current inspection report was not posted.
• The facility was using cardboard as mats in the main kitchen area in front of the fryers.
• Personal items (cellphones and chargers) were stored throughout the main kitchen or in nearby prep areas. The inspector observed a purse stored next to single-use articles in front of the food service area.
• Pests were present throughout the facility, in the main kitchen and dining area, at the time of inspection.

What are TCS foods, and why do they matter?

A time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food is any food that needs specific time and temperature controls to prevent harmful bacteria growth.

Per the Georgia Department of Agriculture, key temperature rules include holding cold foods at 41 degrees and below, holding hot foods at 135 degrees or above and storing frozen foods in a frozen or hard-to-touch condition.

Not following these guidelines can result in serious risks.

During an interview with the Ledger-Enquirer last year, Danielle Saunders, Columbus environmental health manager for the West Central Health District in the Georgia Department of Public Health, said improper storage and incorrect holding temperatures can increase risks of cross-contamination and sickness.

“If they don’t cook it to the minimum required temperature, there are some associated risks where there are potential hazards for them to get sick,” she said.

Symptoms associated with illness transmitted through food include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice and sore throat with fever, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Perfect food safety scores

• 7 Brew Coffee, 8133 Veterans Parkway
• Chester’s Ribs & BBQ, 400 4th St.
• Chili Thai Uptown, 19 West 10th St.
• China Express, 4519 Woodruff Road, Suite 19
• Domino’s Pizza, 4908 Buena Vista Road, Suite. F
• Dunkin, 2621 Manchester Expressway
• Flora, 1329 Front Ave., Suite G
• Hardee’s Columbus #3, 3883 St. Mary’s Road
• Jim N Nicks Community Bar-B-Q, 5710 Whittlesey Blvd.
• KFC, 6760 Veterans Parkway
• Lucky Dragon, 5120 F Warm Springs Road
• Nana Fritta’s, 4525 Holly Ave., Suite A
• Panda Express, 5295 Whittlesey Blvd.
• Pizza Hut, 1056 Manchester Expressway, Suite 6A
• Santo Corazón Mexican Gastrobar, 8186 Veterans Parkway
• Sonic Drive-In #6006, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd.
• Tacos El Paisa (Base & Mobile), 1649 Elvan Ave.
• Wakis African Kitchen, 2901 University Ave. Suite 1
• Wing Stop, 2528 Weems Road, Suite 1B
• Wok 360, 3131 Manchester Expressway

Other restaurants receiving A grades

• Burger King #16257, 3715 Victory Drive
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd. Suite H
• Chef Viet’s Shanghai, 4908 Buena Vista Road, Suite B & C
• Chicken Salad Chick Lakeside, 6517 Kitten Lake Drive, Suite W6
• China Inn, 2116 Wynnton Road
• Country Road Buffet, 2509 Airport Thruway
• Garden Cafe, 710 Center St.
• JJ Wing Town, 1627 South Lumpkin Road, Suite 112
• Kiku Asian Express, 7000 Ruffie Way
• Krystal #9, 412 13th St.
• Little Caesars, 5762 Milgen Road
• Mikata, 5300 Sidney Simons Blvd., Suite. 19
• Monarca Mexican Restaurant, 8132 Veterans Parkway, Suite 417
• Morten’s at Old Town, 3580 Massee Lane
• ,Mr. Wings Sports Grill and Bar, 4519 Woodruff Road, Suite. 15
• New China Buffet, 6499 Veterans Parkway Suite. F
• Paleteria Los Reyes, 2505 Airport Thruway, Unit M
• Panera, 6875 Ray Wright Way, Suite 102
• Panda Express, 683 Midland Commons Blvd
• Rose’s Caribbean Restaurant, 2039 Torch Hill Road
• Shark’s Fish & Chicken, 5609 Milgen Road
• Simple Gyro New York Style, 6550 Whittlesey Blvd., Suite. 106
• Slice Pizza, 6516 Kitten Lake, Suite E3
• Subway, 7600 Schomburg Road
• Sonic Drive-In #4439, 5586 Milgen Road
• Taqueria Jalisco, 5001 Forrest Road, Unit 3
• Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, 2151 Fort Benning Road
• Wendy’s, 1633 Bradley Park Drive