Kitchen Watch: Weekly Inspection Results

This week's health inspection report is in, and several Greater Lynchburg establishments once again earned perfect marks for cleanliness and food safety standards. The Central Virginia Health Department conducted a total of 27 inspections this week—19 routine inspections, seven follow-ups, and one classified as "other."

Five establishments impressively reported zero violations, showcasing their commitment to maintaining excellent standards. Meanwhile, two establishments had just one violation, two more had two violations, four had three violations, two had four violations, two had five violations, and notably, two establishments were cited with eight violations each, highlighting the necessity for immediate corrective actions.

Leading the way were establishments such as The Summit Lynchburg, Catering Williams Stadium, Hot-Diggity-Dogs in Evington, Lynchburg Comfort Inn, and Heritage Green-Fields, all proudly boasting zero violations during their recent inspections.

However, not every kitchen had a spotless week. Notably, Inka Grill on Main Street and El Cerrito in Altavista each received eight violations, topping this week's list of establishments needing improvement. Close behind them were Fairmont Crossing in Amherst and Dairy Queen in Madison Heights, each with five violations.

Health Inspectors Flag Eight Issues at Inka Grill

One of this week's health inspection took place at Inka Grill, located at 912 Main Street in Lynchburg, VA. The inspection, conducted on July 8, uncovered several areas requiring immediate attention. Among the significant concerns were improper handling of employee beverages, unlabeled and uncovered food items, and outdated or absent date labeling of food products.

Inspectors noted specific violations including open cans of soda and water bottles improperly stored near clean dishes and food preparation areas. Additionally, there were multiple instances of unlabeled and uncovered foods, including containers of cooked rice, beans, spices, and desserts, potentially leading to contamination.

Another violation involved several mussels stored improperly without their original packaging or required labeling, posing a food safety risk. The inspection also highlighted unsanitary conditions, including dirty dishware left overnight, broken dishwashers awaiting removal, and inadequate lighting around critical food preparation areas.

Corrective actions were promptly addressed with the Person in Charge, including discarding improperly stored food, improving food labeling, and reinforcing proper food storage and sanitation practices. The inspector emphasized the urgency of addressing recurring issues like date labeling and provided guidelines in both English and Spanish.

Overall, Inka Grill was permitted to continue operations but was urged to rectify these issues swiftly, ensuring adherence to food safety standards and regulations to safeguard customers' health.

Eight Health Violations Observed During El Cerrito Inspection

El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant & Grill, located at 1297 Main Street in Altavista, underwent a routine health inspection on July 11, revealing multiple violations that need addressing to meet health and safety standards.

Inspectors found concerns related to food storage and temperature control, notably observing multiple items, including sliced tomatoes and shredded lettuce, stored at improper temperatures above the mandated 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Ice build-up in refrigeration units contributed to this issue, prompting immediate action by management to call a technician and attempt temperature adjustments.

Other significant violations included improper chemical handling, with unlabeled bottles containing unknown substances, posing serious safety risks. Additionally, inspectors noted food items, such as cardboard boxes stored directly on the freezer floor, pans stacked while still wet, and insufficient lighting over critical prep areas, all of which increase risks of contamination and sanitation issues.

The inspection emphasized immediate corrective actions, including designating proper beverage storage areas for employees, labeling chemicals accurately, acquiring proper food thermometers, and elevating stored food items off the floor. Inspectors advised El Cerrito management on effective food cooling methods and reinforced the importance of maintaining proper equipment for accurate temperature control.

The restaurant was permitted to continue operating but is required to swiftly address these issues to ensure compliance and protect customer health.

Our regular inspection roundup aims to provide transparency about local dining venues and helps customers make informed choices about where they eat. From exceptional cleanliness to areas needing attention, stay tuned weekly for the full breakdown.

Inspections Week of July 4-11