The Arkansas Department of Health regulates the sale of food at establishments which include restaurants, bars, daycares, schools, grocery stores, convenience stores, bed and breakfast facilities, hotels/motels, mobile units and concession stands. Inspections are made unannounced by environmental health specialists.
The following are the results of food safety inspections conducted by the Jefferson County Health Unit:
• Blake Street Fish Market, 1130 S. Blake St. Date of inspection May 22. Unidentified bulk container with food not labeled. Seasoning out of original package in bulk bin should be labeled with common name of food (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Front door does not seal properly. All outer openings of a food establishment should be protected against the entry of insects and rodents (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Cutting boards should be resurfaced or replaced (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Three compartment sink is unclean and needs to be cleaned (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) No test strips observed in establishment. Need test strips to test sanitizer strength (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Outside of fryer equipment and shelving throughout kitchen is unclean and needs to be cleaned Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Trash cans in kitchen area need to be covered when not in continuous use (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Floors in kitchen are unclean and need to be cleaned (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Some flooring throughout kitchen needs to be repaired (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Current health permit not posted (Not in compliance; repeat violation.)
• El Parian Mexican Restaurant, 8420 Dollarway Road. Date of inspection into complaint May 19 (10:40 a.m.) Trash around trash can in outside area should be picked up. Outdoor trash area should be maintained free of unnecessary items and clean (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Freezers near outdoor trash can that are nonfunctional should be removed from premises (Not in compliance; repeat violation.)
• El Parian Mexican Restaurant, 8420 Dollarway Road. Date of inspection May 19 (11:07 a.m.) Observed some food in reach in freezer and walk in cooler being stored uncovered. Food should be stored covered to prevent contamination (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Seasonings out of their original package being stored in bulk bins should be labeled with the common name of the food it contains (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Observed employee not allowing cups to air dry before stacking and putting away. Dishes should be properly air dried before use (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Observed clean dishes being stored face up and uncovered. Clean bowls and plates should be stored covered or inverted to protect from contamination (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Trash cans containing food residue should be covered when not in continuous use (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Ceiling vents in ware washing area are unclean and need to be cleaned (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Observed some aprons being stored on shelf and packaged food in dry storage area. Aprons should be stored in designated areas away from food storage (Not in compliance; repeat violation.)
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
• Huddle House – White Hall, 7735 Sheridan Road/103 Woodberry Court. Date of follow-up inspection May 22. Hand washing sink is leaking and needs to be repaired (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Prep cooler near soda machine is leaking condensation and needs to be repaired (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Outside of cooking equipment (fryers, stove, and grill) is unclean and needs to be cleaned (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Trash cans containing food residue should be covered when not in continuous use (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Wall where automatic dishwasher is located is unclean and needs to be cleaned (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Vent hood is unclean and needs to be cleaned (Not in compliance; repeat violation.)
• Tyson Company Store, 5505 Jefferson Parkway. Date of inspection May 23. Observation: No current permit posted (Not in compliance; repeat violation.)
• Big Red Travel Plaza, 8110 Sheridan Road, White Hall. Date of inspection May 25. Food in freezers and food being stored on shelves should be covered to prevent contamination. Food was covered during inspection (Not in compliance; repeat violation; corrected on site during inspection.) Meat slicer is visibly unclean and should be clean before next use. Meat slicer was cleaned during inspection (Not in compliance; repeat violation; corrected on site during inspection.) Some hot holding temperatures in warmer and hot hold unit at front counter are out of safe temperature range (must be 135 degrees F or above). Food was warmed back up to safe hot holding temperatures during inspection (Not in compliance; repeat violation; corrected on site during inspection.) Ice bags containing ice that is packed in store should be properly labeled with identifying information on them. Ice bags were labeled during inspection (Not in compliance; repeat violation; corrected on site during inspection.) Observed unclean wiping cloths sitting out on the counter tops. Wiping cloths should be kept in a sanitizer solution between use (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Observed knives sitting in water in bucket on the counter. In use utensils should be stored according to regulations and as discussed during inspection. Knives were removed from water during inspection (Not in compliance; repeat violation; corrected on site during inspection.) Observed employee using pan directly out of automatic dishwasher that was not properly air dried. Dishes should be air dried before being used (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Observed single service cups being stored where lip contact service is being exposed to contamination. Single service items should be stored in original package or in another manner that prevents contamination until being used (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Cardboard box observed being used to line shelf under grill with. Shelf is exposed to food soiling and should only be constructed of nonabsorbent material. Cardboard box was removed during inspection (Not in compliance; repeat violation; corrected on site during inspection.) Cardboard box observed being used to line floor under batter mix area. Cardboard box was removed during inspection (Not in compliance; repeat violation.) Wall across vent hood and floors, especially under equipment and shelving, is unclean and needs to be cleaned (Not in compliance; repeat violation; corrected on site during inspection.) Vent hood is unclean and needs to be cleaned. Vent hood was cleaned during inspection (Not in compliance; repeat violation; corrected on site during inspection.)