CAMDEN — By SHEA WILSON
Feature writer
A Camden restaurant was found to be operating without a valid food establishment permit, according to an inspection report from the Arkansas Department of Health Environmental Health Office.
T.J.’s Place, 1385 California, was visited on Aug. 31 by Inspector Lindsey Webb, according to ADH. It was observed that the restaurant’s permit had expired. The inspection report noted that it is unlawful “to operate a retail food establishment without a valid permit.” The restaurant was advised to contact the Environmental Health billing office to ensure that it is in compliance with the law and given the date of Sept. 10 - which was Monday - for corrective action.
Terry Paul, Environmental Health Branch chief, said the permit for T.J.’s Place expired on May 31 and had not been renewed as of 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10.
Food establishments are required to pay a $35 annual permit fee and when they fail to pay the fee, penalties build. Paul said Arkansas has one of the lower permit costs in the country and there is really no excuse for not paying permitting fees. Even so, it is not uncommon for restaurants to be behind on paying, he said.
“If they get too far out of line, we can pursue imposing civil penalties and have them ante up a little more,” Paul said.
But there are administrative procedures that must be followed before pursuing legal action and though operating without a permit is unlawful, the agency does not typically shut down food establishments.
Due to being 60 days late, T.J.’s permit cost is up to $52.50.
In the area of food-borne illness risk factors and public health interventions, the restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for proper date marking and disposition. Foods that are prepared or opened should be properly marked if they are to be held more than 24 hours, the inspection report said. At T.J’s Place, it was observed that tartar sauce in individual cups was not marked with the date of preparation. Corrective action was taken on site when the issue was addressed, and the cups were properly marked.
The Food Protection Program of the Arkansas Department of Health inspects all food establishments in the state to make sure they follow ADH Food Establishment Rules & Regulations, according to the agency’s website. Inspections are conducted one to three times per year depending upon the risk category of the establishment. Additional inspections occur to follow-up on violations and if/when the ADH receives a complaint.
The following are food establishment inspection reports for August, where observations were made, and corrective action was recommended in the area of food-borne illness risk factors and public health interventions:
• Sav-A-Lot Food Store, 785 California, was visited on Aug. 8. The store was found to be out-of-compliance for food being in good condition, safe and unadulterated. It was observed that hamburger meat that had expired was still on the shelf. Corrective action was taken on site.
• Sam’s Seafood, 1292 Highway 278 Bypass, was visited on Aug. 8.The restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for adequate hand-washing facilities supplied and accessible, and for food separated/protected. It was observed that there were no disposable paper towels at the hand-wash sink, which is required. Corrective action was taken on site.
Also, it was observed that battered chicken in a walk-in cooler was not covered for protection. Corrective action was taken on site when a lid was placed over the chicken in the cooler.
• Thelma’s Little Bakery, 1230 Cuba Circle, was visited on Aug. 14. The bakery was found to be out-of-compliance for food being separated or protected. Eggs are required to be stored on the lowest shelf in the cooler to prevent possible contamination. It was observed that eggs were stored in the cooler above other ready-to-eat food items. Corrective action was taken on site and the eggs were moved to the lowest shelf.
• Sweety Donuts, 1241 Cash Road, was visited Aug. 14. The store was found to be out-of-compliance for adequate hand-washing facilities. It was observed that there were no paper towels at the hand-wash sink. Corrective action was taken on site.
• Camden Housing Authority Ivory Heights Summer Feeding Program, 4100 Ivory Heights, was visited on Aug. 14. The program was found to be out-of-compliance for food contact surfaces being cleaned and sanitized. In the area of good retail practices, the program was found to be out-of-compliance for adequate ventilation and lighting for designated areas used. A can opener was found to have metal shavings and food residue on the blades. Corrective action was taken on site when the can opener was washed, rinsed and sanitized. Adequate ventilation is required per HVAC regulations. It was observed that fire-stop canisters were attached under the hood for fire prevention.
• Camden Housing Authority Lincoln Center, 600 Lincoln Center Circle, was visited Aug. 16. The program was found to be out of compliance for toxic substances being properly identified, stored and used. It was observed that Clorox cleaning spray handling was above the food preparation table. Corrective action was taken on site and the Clorox was placed in proper storage location under the cabinet.
• Backdoor Baker, 134 W. Washington, was visited Aug. 16.The restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for hands being cleaned and properly washed. It was observed that an employee washed hands in a three-compartment sink. Corrective action was that only designated hand-washing sinks be used for hand-washing.
• Camden AZ Mart, 650 Lincoln Drive, was visited on Aug. 17. The store was found to be out-of-compliance for adequate hand-washing facilities. It was observed that there was a cardboard box in the hand-wash sink. Corrective action was taken on site and the box was removed.
• Lenny’s B’s Mobile, 2040 California Ave., was visited on Aug. 27. The restaurant was found to be out of compliance for adequate hand-washing facilities supplied and accessible. It was observed that a common towel was being used to dry hands. Corrective action recommended included providing a supply of individual disposable towels or a continuous use towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel or a heated-air drying system at each hand-washing sink in food preparation, toilet and ware-washing areas. Also, it was observed that pulled pork in the cooler was not covered. Corrective action was taken on site and the pork was covered. It was noted the facility lacks a refrigerator thermometer. Corrective action recommended included having a food temperature measuring device in place and accessible for use in ensuring attainment and maintenance of food temperature.
• Christina’s Take & Bake, 612 Cash Road, was visited Aug. 27.The restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for food separated/protected. It was observed that eggs were stored above lettuce in the walk-in cooler. Corrective action was taken on site and the eggs were moved to a lower shelf.
• Sand Bar, 245 S. Adams, was visited on Aug. 28. The restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for hands being cleaned and properly washed and for food being separated/protected. It was observed that an employee did not wash hands when changing tasks. Corrective action was explained about the times it is necessary for employees to wash hands. The employee washed his hands properly. Also, it was observed that salsa was not covered to prevent possible contamination. Corrective action was taken on site and the salsa was covered.
• Mazzio’s Pizza was visited Aug. 28. The restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for food being separated/protected. Pizza sauce in the walk-in cooler was not covered. Corrective action was taken on site and the sauce was covered. It was observed that no sign was present to inform customers to obtain a new plate on each trip to the buffet. Corrective action recommended was to place a sign at the buffet table.
• Camden Country Club, 1915 Washington St., was visited Aug. 28.The club was found to be out-of-compliance for food being in good condition, safe and unadulterated. It was observed that milk in the cooler had expired. Corrective action was taken on site and the milk was removed. Also, it was observed that silverware was stored handle down in the container. Corrective action was taken on site and the silverware was removed and stored inverted in the container.
• Woods Place, 1173 Washington, was visited Aug. 29.The restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for hands being cleaned and properly washed, and for bare hand contact with foods. It was observed that an employee did not wash hands when changing tasks. Corrective action included the employee being made to wash hands and it was explained that when changing tasks, possible contamination could have occurred if the employee didn’t wash hands. Also, an employee was observed picking up a roll and placing it on a plate for a customer. Corrective action taken: The roll was discarded and tongs were used to place the roll on the plate.
• Wood’s Catering 4, 1173 Washington, was visited Aug. 29. The facility was found to be out of compliance for toxic substances being properly identified, stored and used. It was observed that bleach surface cleaner was not in its original container and not properly labeled. Corrective action was taken on site and the bleach was labeled.
• Wood’s Catering 3, 1173 Washington, was visited Aug. 29. The facility was found to be out of compliance for adequate hand-washing facilities supplied and accessible and food contact surfaces being cleaned and sanitized. There were no paper towels in the hand-wash sink. Corrective action was taken on site and the paper towels were placed by the sink. It was observed that a can opener had metal fragments on the blade. Corrective action was taken on site and the opener was washed, rinsed and sanitized.
• Wood’s Catering 2, 1137 Washington, was visited Aug. 29. The facility was found to be out of compliance for adequate hand-washing facilities supplied and accessible. It was observed that no soap was at the wash sink. Corrective action was taken on side and soap was placed at the sink.
• Subway #633, 775 Cash Road, was visited on Aug. 30. The restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for adequate hand-washing facilities supplied and accessible and for food separated/protected. It was observed that there were no disposable paper towels at the hand-wash sink. Corrective action was taken on site and paper towels were placed at the sink.
• Fast Mart, 1425 California, was visited on Aug. 30. The store was found to be out of compliance for toxic substances being properly identified, stored and used. It was observed that cleaning substances were held above the pizza holding unit. Corrective action was taken on site and the substance was removed and placed in the appropriate location.
• Tin Top Diner, 400 Highway 274, was visited on Aug. 31. The restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for food separated/protected. In the area of good retail practices, the restaurant was out-of-compliance for single-use and single-services articles, properly stored and used. It was observed that steaks in the cooler were not covered. Corrective action was taken on site and the steaks were covered with foil. Also, it was observed that single use bowls were stored on the floor where they were subject to contamination. Corrective action was taken and the bowls were moved to a shelf.