Sizzling Summer Eats — and Health Scores to Match

Seven Food Establishments Post Zero Violations Observed.

According to the Central Virginia Health District, inspectors conducted 34 food establishment inspections between June 10–16. These included 26 routine inspections, 4 follow-ups, two Pre-Opening and 2 categorized as “Other.” Seven establishments earned clean reports with zero violations.

Two Establishments had Zero Violations

On the top side of violations was Pino's Pizza in Brookneal with 16.

Pino’s Pizza in Brookneal Hit with Numerous Health Violations

Pino’s Pizza, located at 231 Lusardi Drive C in Brookneal, was cited for 17 violations during a routine health inspection conducted on June 12, making it the most-flagged restaurant in the latest round of inspections from the Central Virginia Health District.

The inspection revealed multiple high-risk issues, starting with a significant cross-contamination concern: raw fish, ground beef, and bacon were found stored above ready-to-eat foods and uncut vegetables in a cooler. The inspector instructed staff to relocate the items immediately to prevent foodborne illness risks.

A malfunctioning chemical dishwasher presented another major issue, with sanitizer levels registering below 10 parts per million—well under the required 50–100 ppm. The restaurant was directed to stop using the machine for sanitizing and instead set up manual sanitation stations until repairs are completed.

The kitchen was found to be in need of a deep clean. Inspectors observed food splatter and debris inside the microwave and coolers, mildew buildup in the ice machine, and dust and cobwebs above food storage areas. Cardboard lined several shelving units—discouraged in food service environments due to difficulty in cleaning—and some surfaces still had peeling manufacturer wrapping.

Insect activity was also documented. The inspector saw ants crawling on prep tables and flies in the dining room. Making matters worse, cans of Raid insecticide were found in the kitchen—an immediate violation, as only licensed pest control professionals are allowed to apply pesticides inside a food establishment.

The report noted a complete lack of date labeling on prepared foods, making it impossible for staff to know when items should be used or discarded. In one cooler, a large pot of uncovered sauce was being stored without protection from contamination.

Additional issues included:

• Stacked food containers still wet from washing
• Loose plumbing fixtures
• Deteriorating wall conditions from water damage
• A blocked mop sink
• Employee personal items and medications stored on prep surfaces (a repeat violation)

The restaurant’s hood system also displayed a non-compliance tag from the fire marshal due to an overdue fire suppression component.

While food temperatures for cold items were compliant and a certified food protection manager was on-site, inspectors concluded with a blunt note: “Kitchen can use a good clean.”

A follow-up inspection is expected to ensure Pino’s Pizza has addressed both the sanitary and structural issues cited.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the remainder of the results:

• Three establishments had one violation.
• Six had two violations.
• Two had three violations.
• One had four violations.
• One had five violations.
• Two had six violations
• Two had seven violations
• Sawa Japanese Steakhouse had 9 violations and Pinos Pizza in Brookneal had 16 violations.

All inspections reported for June 10-16:

The restaurants near the bottom to where there were no violations observed are due to the nature of the inspections including Follow-Up, Other, and Pre-Opening.

Learn More About Health Department Inspection Articles

If you choose to dive into the details of these listings, please read "Restaurant Health Inspections: What You Can Learn Before Dining Out in Greater Lynchburg," dated May 21, 2024. This story outlines the details of local Health Department Inspections and the results of those reports.