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Bladenboro Mayor, Rufus Duckworth had a few questions after he recently read our monthly post titled, “Let’s Eat Out, But Where.” In this regular feature, BladenOnline publishes a list of area restaurants, kitchens, and food service centers that have been inspected during the previous month by the Health Department. The list of grades is a public service, compiled each month, and sent to news agencies, so that the public may be informed about the state of safety and cleanliness at the eateries we frequent.
Each establishment must post the Sanitation Grade they receive in a conspicuous place for customers to view. All routine inspections are unannounced however, if a facility drops a letter grade, a request can be made for a re-inspection. Health Inspectors check for 54 different items on a list, each time they perform an inspection. In Bladen County eateries like restaurants, Elder Care facilities, hotels, and grocery store kitchens are given letter grades and number grades much like you received in high school. School cafeterias and Day Care(Adult and Childrens) kitchens are graded on a demerit system.
The purpose and objective of a sanitation inspection is to assess the operation and ensure risk factors are in control. Reducing risk factors have a direct correlation in the reduction of food borne illnesses.
These risk factors include:
- Improper Holding Temperature
- Inadequate Cooking (Final Cook Temperature)
- Contaminated Equipment or Food Prep Surfaces
- Food Obtained from Unapproved Sources
- Poor Personal Hygiene in Food Prep and Wait Staff
Some of the Good Retail Practices, if not controlled could also contribute to food borne illnesses. For example, equipment in disrepair such as a cutting board with deep grooves makes effective cleaning difficult.
When a kitchen is found with violations points can be deducted from its score. Example: Equipment in disrepair a restaurant may receive a deduction of half a point and on the following inspection if its a repeated violation, a full deduction may be taken.
So how is the public to know what kind of infraction caused a restaurant’s grade to slip? If you go to your favorite munch counter and find a Health Grade that gives you pause, you can find out why they received the grade they are required to post. Luckily, we have a great staff working for our public health in Bladen County. If you want to know the specifics about the grade displayed in your usual spot, you may contact the Environmental Health Division at your local Health Department.
Environmental Health Office 910-862-6852
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