Food Inspections: 64 Violations Reported Across 20 Lynchburg-Area Establishments

LEDO Pizza & Pasta and Blackwater Coffee Trailer recorded eight violations each, while inspectors documented evidence of rodent activity at Knights of Columbus in Forest. One establishment had no violations.

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Virginia Department of Health inspectors documented 64 violations during 20 routine food establishment inspections conducted November 4–7 across Lynchburg and surrounding communities.

Nineteen establishments received at least one violation, while one completed its inspection without any cited violations.

Among the findings were unavailable handwashing sinks, improperly held foods, sanitation problems, missing food safety documentation and evidence of rodent activity.

LEDO Pizza & Pasta in Lynchburg and Blackwater Coffee Trailer each received eight violations, the highest totals during the reporting period. Knights of Columbus in Forest followed with six.

Of the 64 violations, 35 were marked corrected during inspections, while 11 were identified as repeat violations.

By the Numbers

Establishments With the Most Violations

LEDO Pizza & Pasta — 8 Violations

126 Old Graves Mill Road, Lynchburg | November 4

Inspectors documented eight violations at LEDO Pizza & Pasta, including improper handwashing, inaccessible handwashing sinks, expired food products and extensive grease and food debris accumulation.

One kitchen handwashing sink was out of order and contained a bowl and food debris. A second sink was blocked by supplies and had its water turned off because of a reported leak.

Employees were observed changing gloves without washing their hands between tasks. A dishwashing employee also moved from handling dirty tableware to assisting with food preparation without properly washing hands.

Inspectors found sauce bottles with missing labels or dates and mold-like growth on some lids. Honey Garlic sauce and chicken tenders held beyond the permitted storage period were discarded.

Other findings included raw eggs stored above bread, a retail insecticide in the dishwashing area, standing water inside a pizza preparation refrigerator and heavy grease and food debris accumulation on cooking equipment and reusable pizza pans.

The inspector also documented drain flies around the mop sink.

Four violations were corrected during the inspection. No repeat violations were identified.

Blackwater Coffee Trailer — 8 Violations

Lynchburg | November 7

Blackwater Coffee Trailer received eight violations involving employee health documentation, handwashing access, personal hygiene, food utensil storage, sanitizer testing supplies and cleanliness.

Inspectors found that required written employee health and vomiting-event cleanup procedures were unavailable.

A handwashing sink was obstructed, and employees were observed wearing wrist jewelry or without adequate hair restraints. Marshmallow tongs were stored on a tarp, sanitizer test strips were unavailable, and cleaning was needed on portions of the trailer and its roof screen.

The inspector also noted that the trailer's generator had been turned off because of low fuel, temporarily interrupting electrical power, the water pump and hot water. The generator was restarted during the inspection.

Four violations were corrected on-site. No repeat violations were identified.

Knights of Columbus — 6 Violations

201 Sweeney Circle, Forest | November 4

Inspectors documented six violations at Knights of Columbus, including evidence of rodent activity in kitchen and concession areas.

Mouse droppings were observed inside cabinets near the concession beverage station, beneath a handwashing sink and behind cooking equipment. Inspectors also identified openings in cabinets and around pipes that could allow rodents to enter.

Other violations included coleslaw held at 48°F, missing dates on prepared foods, an expired certified food protection manager credential, grease and residue buildup, and inadequate backflow prevention at a sink.

The coleslaw was discarded, and the refrigerator was reorganized during the inspection.

Three violations were corrected on-site. Two were repeat violations, including the rodent-related finding and kitchen cleanliness.

American Legion Post 16 — 5 Violations

Lynchburg | November 5

American Legion Post 16 received five violations involving food storage, date marking, time-control procedures, labeling and sanitizer testing supplies.

Inspectors found raw shell eggs stored above ready-to-eat foods, including chili, butter and cheese. The storage arrangement was corrected during the inspection and was identified as a repeat violation.

Prepared foods including sauces, relish and coleslaw lacked required date markings. The establishment also lacked written procedures and time markings for certain foods held outside refrigeration during lunch service.

Other findings included unlabeled spices and sauces and expired sanitizer test strips.

One violation was corrected on-site. One was a repeat violation. A follow-up inspection was planned for November 12.

Burger King #1218 — 5 Violations

18059 Forest Road, Forest | November 4

Burger King received five violations, including chicken nuggets held at 120°F and a chicken patty held at 133°F, both below the required 135°F hot-holding temperature. Both items were discarded.

Inspectors also documented a leaking mop sink faucet, inadequate backflow protection on an attached hose, missing or damaged floor tiles and grout, and grease and debris accumulation on walls and beneath a beverage station.

Two violations were corrected on-site. One was identified as a repeat violation.

Other Noteworthy Inspection Findings

A Little Bit of Everything — 4 Violations

Bedford | November 5

Inspectors found ham at 60°F and Alfredo sauce at 52°F in a preparation refrigerator operating at approximately 50°F. Affected foods were discarded.

Management ordered a replacement refrigerator during the inspection and was instructed to use appropriate time-control procedures until the equipment was replaced.

Inspectors also documented food debris on cooking equipment and residue accumulation on floors and shelving.

Two violations were corrected on-site, and two were repeat violations.

Overflow Coffee Co. — 4 Violations

Forest | November 7

Inspectors documented an employee beverage near food and supplies, an employee failing to wash hands after handling cash and personal items, wrist jewelry worn during food preparation and an unsecured potable-water inlet cap.

All four violations were corrected on-site.

Remaining Inspection Results

The following establishments also received routine inspections during the reporting period.

Among these inspections, Blaze Pizza discarded several refrigerated foods after inspectors recorded temperatures above the required 41°F maximum. Original Italian Pizza received a repeat violation after an employee handled cooked pizza with bare hands.

At Shake Smart – Tilley, inspectors documented missing handwashing supplies, an unlabeled cleaning chemical and unlabeled ingredients. All three violations were corrected during the inspection. The inspector also noted that soy was missing from posted allergen information for a granola topping, although that observation was not cited as a separate violation.

Establishment With No Violations

Perrymont Elementary School — 0 Violations

Lynchburg | November 6

Perrymont Elementary School was the only establishment among the 20 routine inspections to receive no violations.

The inspector complimented the food service staff, writing, “Overall the team is doing an excellent job.”

The inspection included a discussion about improving date markings on frozen foods received from Heritage High School, but no violation was cited.

Other Health Department Inspections

In addition to the 20 routine inspections, the Virginia Department of Health's inspection listing included 15 other inspection entries during the reviewed period.

These included follow-up inspections, pre-opening inspections and inspections categorized as “Other.”

Follow-up inspections were listed for King's Island Restaurant, China Wall of PFWX, New Yamada of Forest, Antojitos Chapines Keiri and Butts-Up Bar-B-Que Mobile Unit.

Pre-opening inspections were listed for Tina & Lexi's Tacos & More, Canterbury Cafe, Lamp & Post Bookshop Cafe and Hill City Sports Center.

These inspections were not included in the routine-inspection totals presented above.

Follow-Up on Last Week's Uno Mas Inspection

Lynchburg Agenda has not located a publicly posted follow-up inspection for Uno Mas, which received 39 violations during its October 28 routine inspection.

Of those violations, 26 were marked corrected during the inspection. Lynchburg Agenda is seeking an update on the remaining findings.

Understanding the Inspection Reports

Virginia Department of Health inspections evaluate food handling, employee hygiene, food temperatures, sanitation, equipment maintenance and other requirements intended to protect public health.

A violation does not necessarily mean an establishment is unsafe to visit. Findings vary in seriousness, and many can be corrected during an inspection.

Corrected On-Site (COS): A violation corrected during the inspection, as documented by the inspector.

Repeat Violation (R): A violation identified by the inspector as having occurred during a previous inspection.

Routine Inspection: A regularly conducted evaluation of an establishment's compliance with food safety regulations.

Follow-Up Inspection: An additional inspection conducted to evaluate corrective actions or previously identified conditions.

The number of violations alone does not establish the severity of the food safety risk at an establishment.