Burgers, fries and rodent droppings are a few of the things found in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s restaurants, according to the most recent health inspections.
Of the restaurants on campus, Wendy’s and Sbarro in the Union both required follow-up activity after their most recent health inspection, according to reports.
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The more serious violations at Wendy’s included multiple rodent droppings on the floor and trashcan, black residue built up on fryer baskets and more than 10 food items not held at the correct temperature, according to the August 2011 health inspection.
Sbarro’s serious violations included live roaches under the front counter, black residue in the ice machine and several food items held at the incorrect temperature, according to the November 2011 health inspection.
The Health Department conducts follow-up inspections or activity at restaurants if they have too many violations, said Shonia Hall, Cleveland County Health Department environmental supervisor.
A follow-up activity is when the inspector writes down the problems that need to be fixed, and the restaurant owner or manager reports what corrective actions were taken.
When a restaurant gets inspected, some violations must be corrected immediately, such as food temperature or good hygienic practices, Hall said.
Other health code violations must be corrected within 10 days. Often, if the violations are something the restaurant can take care of easily on their own, inspectors will issue a follow-up activity.
Both Sbarro and Wendy’s were issued follow-up activities rather than second full inspections, according to records.
The latest inspections are not the first time health inspectors have had to follow up at Wendy’s or at Sbarro.
“[Wendy’s] has some issues of rodent activity,” said Chuck Weaver, OU Housing and Food Services director. “Basically over the summer it was just so hot we had a lot of critters want to come in and get cool, but I wouldn’t say it’s not maintained to what it needs to be as far as the sanitation level.”
Follow-up action was required at Wendy’s on the two inspections prior to the most recent one in August, only one of which was conducted in the summer.
Inspections in January 2011 and July 2010 cited some of the same problems.
In January 2011, the inspector noted multiple rodent droppings on the floors, on the corners of walls and along baseboards, according to reports.
There were also about 10 food items in the temperature-danger zone.
The July 2010 inspection noted black residue in the ice machine, improper hand washing techniques and an employee touching his or her face with gloves on, according to reports.
All three of the most recent inspections at Wendy’s showed cold food holding violations.
Restaurants have to keep cold food at a temperature below 41 degrees Fahrenheit and hot food at a temperature more than 135 degrees Fahrenheit to keep bacteria from growing, Hall said.
An inspection in August 2011 at Sbarro also yielded follow-up activity because of hot and cold food violations, evidence of multiple cockroaches, multiple rat droppings and black residue in the ice machine, among other things, according to the report.
“A lot of things depend on the snapshot in time, but the follow-up inspections say there are no violations reported,” Weaver said.
Basic sweeping, mopping, power washing and monthly pest control services done in the Union are a part of Food Services’ program to keep Wendy’s clean, Weaver said.
“We’re very responsive to anything that is pointed out to us,” Weaver said.
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TheJR 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Also worth mentioning that these kind of violations happen at restaurants everywhere around town - it's worth checking your frequent spots every once in a while.
https://www.phin.state.ok.us/Inspections/
simp9830 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Good job Carmen! Great investigative piece....