CAMDEN — By SHEA WILSON
Feature writer
An investigation by the Arkansas Department of Health has found that food-safety inspections for Camden restaurants filed electronically by a local inspector were not valid, according to ADH Public Information Officer Meg Mirivel.
The Camden News ran an article on Sept. 11 about the results of food-safety inspections for the month of August. The inspection reports are public record and available online. Six businesses contacted the newspaper after the article ran and indicated that the inspector who signed the reports referenced in the article, Lindsey Webb, had not visited their establishments during the time period mentioned in the report.
TJ’s Place, which was referenced in the article for not having a current health permit, has since paid its health permit fee.
The inspection report also indicated that the restaurant was found to be out-of-compliance for proper date-marking and disposition.
The report said the inspector observed that tartar sauce in individual cups was not marked with the date of preparation and that corrective action was taken on site.
The restaurant said on its Facebook page, after the article was published, that it had contacted the local health department trying to determine what was going on, and was informed that the report about the visit to TJ’s on Aug. 31 was a mistake. The restaurant indicated that it had been told that the Camden News would be contacted for a correction, but no one from the local health department contacted the newspaper for a correction.
Restaurant owners and others connected to food services continued to contact the newspaper about their concerns.
Due to the number of concerns expressed by local businesses, the newspaper contacted the health department in Little Rock about the validity of the information posted on the agency’s website.
The newspaper learned late Monday afternoon that certain inspections were not valid.
“Based on complaints, we investigated and found that certain inspections were not valid,” Mirivel said.
“Having electronic, public inspections helps to ensure they are correct. We appreciate you (Shea Wilson) and the local restaurants bringing this to our attention.”
In addition to TJ’s Place, other businesses that had inspections reported in August which were mentioned in the article include: Sav-A-Lot Food Store, Sam’s Seafood, Thelma’s Little Bakery, Sweety Donuts, Camden Housing Authority Summer Feeding Programs, Backdoor Baker, Camden AZ Mart, Lenny B’s Mobile, Christina’s Take & Bake, Sand Bar, Mazzio’s Pizza, Camden Country Club, Woods Place, Wood’s Catering 2, 3 and 4, Subway #633, Fast Mart and Tin Top Diner.
Mirivel told the Camden News that the health department is continuing to investigate how long the invalid reports had been filed and the number of restaurants impacted.
It was also stated that the employment of the person responsible for the invalid reports has been terminated.