4 Failed Food Inspections in Tri-Cities Restaurants and Bars

Food Safety Inspections in the Tri-Cities Area: A Closer Look

The Benton Franklin Health District recently conducted a series of food safety inspections across the Tri-Cities area, revealing both commendable and concerning results. From August 2 to August 8, health inspectors evaluated numerous establishments that sell food, including restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining high standards in food handling and preparation.

Inspection Overview

During this period, the health district’s food safety team carried out 55 inspections in total. Out of these, 41 received passing scores, with 14 of those achieving perfect marks. However, four businesses were given failing grades due to significant violations. These failures indicate areas where improvements are urgently needed to ensure public health and safety.

Businesses that receive at least 35 points for more serious red violations are required to undergo additional inspections and meet stricter standards. To pass follow-up inspections, they must have fewer than 25 red points and fewer than 10 repeat red points from previous issues. If an establishment accumulates 85 or more red points, it will remain on probation until it successfully passes two follow-up inspections, with the first one occurring within 72 hours.

Understanding Violation Categories

Red violations are the most critical, as they pose a high risk of causing foodborne illnesses. Examples include not keeping hot food hot enough, not keeping cold food cold enough, inadequate handwashing, and bare-hand contact with foods. Blue violations, on the other hand, are low-risk factors related to cleanliness and the physical condition of an establishment.

Inspections are conducted without prior notice, ensuring that businesses maintain consistent standards. Some businesses may have separate inspections for different lines of operation, such as grocery sales and deli services, which carry different health risks.

Accessing Inspection Results

Residents can access inspection results online by visiting the health district's website. This allows individuals to check the status of any restaurant or business and review details about specific violations. To look up results, users can go to the provided link, click on the business name, and then select the date of the inspection. The "Violations" tab will display detailed information about the issues found during the inspection.

For questions or complaints about food safety in Benton or Franklin counties, residents can email the health district directly. Additionally, there is an opportunity to participate in a food safety topics survey, which can be accessed through another provided link.

Failed Inspections

Several businesses failed their inspections, highlighting serious lapses in food safety practices. For example:

• Cinco De Mayo Family Restaurant in Kennewick had 45 red points and 23 blue points. Issues included the absence of a certified food protection manager, improper disposal of potentially unsafe food, and inadequate raw meat handling.
• Don Taco in Pasco had 50 red points and 5 blue points. Problems included improper cooling and reheating procedures, as well as non-conformance with approved protocols.
• Magill's Restaurant in Pasco had 10 red points and no blue points. The issue involved the improper disposal of potentially unsafe food.
• Vargas Taqueria in Pasco had 55 red points and no blue points. Concerns included lack of managerial control, improper storage of raw meat, and incorrect cooling procedures.

Passed Inspections

Many businesses passed their inspections, demonstrating adherence to food safety standards. Notable examples include:

• Arby's in Richland, Boys & Girls Club locations in Kennewick and Pasco, Cafe Del Alma in Kennewick, and Cakes Sweets and More in Pasco.
• The Camelias Tacos in Richland, Chills Froyo in Kennewick, Desert Heat in Pasco, and Doggie Style Gourmet (mobile) in Richland all received passing scores.
• Other establishments, such as McDonald's, Subway, Taco Bell, and Tri-Cities Food Co-op, also met the required standards.

These results reflect the ongoing efforts of many businesses to maintain safe and clean environments for customers. However, the failures underscore the need for continued vigilance and improvement in food safety practices across the region.