Clewiston Inn - Food Safety Violations Recurring

Four Of Seven Inspections Require Follow-ups At Clewiston Inn

CLEWISTON, FL. -- The state of Florida's Division of Hotels and Restaurants is required to do periodic spot inspections of restaurants, hotels and motels each year, and publishes the results of each inspection online. The Sunday Morning News looked at the most recent health inspection of Clewiston's well known restaurant at the Clewiston Inn Colonial Room.

A state food safety inspector observed the violations August 11, 2009 finding violations still existing after a June inspection found  15 violations. The inspector found among other things, no hot water at employee sink.

A summary of the violations found during the inspection are listed below. The department cites violations of Florida's sanitation and safety laws, which are based on the standards of U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Food Code. In general, critical violations are those that, if not corrected, are more likely to contribute directly to food contamination, illness or environmental damage.

Although the report uses the industry-standard term "critical", varying degrees of severity and potential risk to the public require inspectors to assess each situation in determining the appropriate action. In addition, while an establishment may have multiple violations, the inspectors' training and judgment formulate the overall result of the inspection to ensure the public health and safety. While most establishments correct all violations in a timely manner (often during the inspection), the division's procedures are designed to compel compliance with all violations through follow-up visits, administration action or closure when necessary.

Follow up inspections required, noted the inspector. Four of the last seven inspections since February 2008 have required follow up inspections due to the food safety problems found.

August 11 Re-Inspection Results

Violation    Observation
27-16-1     Critical. Violation: 27-16-1 Hot water not provided/shut off at employee hand wash sink.at center prep/kitchen -only one faucet -cold water-at callback 8/11/09 no hot water provided-only sink available for
48-12-2    Critical. Violation: 48-12-2 No current boiler certification provided/available. For reporting purposes only.
51-13-1     Violation: 51-13-1 No Heimlich maneuver sign posted.

June 9, 2009 Inspection Results

Violation    Observation
03A-07-1     Critical. Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk-in cooler at 44 F-maintenance arrived and adjusted cooler dropped to 41 during inspection. Corrected On Site.
03A-07-1    Critical. Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Melon at 2 door stainless reach-in at dessert prep-maintenance adjusted and temp reached 41 F  Corrected On Site.
03A-07-1    Critical. Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sliced turkey /sliced ham in reach-in cooler at salad prep found at 55 degrees Corrected On Site. PHF food removed to another unit
03A-07-1    Critical. Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Diced ham /sausage at 55 degrees at reach-in prep end of cook-line Corrected On Site.discarded food will not use unit until maintaining 41 degrees
08A-28-1    Critical. Observed food stored on floor. 2 bags potatoes on walk-in cooler floor
08A-28-1    Critical. Observed food stored on floor. 2 boxes v pork on walk-in freezer floor
10-04-1    In-use utensil for non-potentially hazardous food not stored in a clean, protected location.ice scoop on top of ice machine in wait station
25-04-1    Observed single-service items stored on floor. Boxes of j cups in dry storage
27-16-1    Critical. Hot water not provided/shut off at employee hand wash sink.at center prep/kitchen -only one faucet -cold water
36-13-1    Observed grease accumulated under cooking equipment.at back kitchen hood
36-22-1    Observed floor area(s) covered with standing water.in back dry storage area
37-10-1    Observed attached equipment and walls soiled with accumulated grease in back kitchen area at hood/cooker/hand sink area
48-12-2    Critical. No current boiler certification provided/available. For reporting purposes only.
51-13-1    No Heimlich maneuver sign posted.
53A-01-2    Critical. Manager lacking proof of Food Manager Certification.