Improper Food Storage, Dirty Facilities: February Health Scores

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Jefferson County Department of Health inspected more than 200 restaurants in the area in Fedruary, and only three eateries scored an 85 or below on their inspection.

The most common infraction involved the storage of food, where some of the eateries were found to have food at improper temperatures and food out of date. Also, all three of the restaurants scoring below an 86 had open dumpster doors and dirty kitchens.

Here are the restaurants that scored an 85 or below in their February health inspections:

McDonald's; 3518 Avenue E, Ensley, (70): Points were deducted for failure to provide an employee health policy that states what actions are necessary when an employee has a specific symptom or diagnosis related to diseases that are transmissible through food; chemical sanitizer was not utilized in the 3 compartment sink cleaning process; chemical test kits were not available; cooler near the drive thru window contained grease/syrup on it, dry storage area, R.I. coolers, R.I. freezers, W.I. coolers, and W.I. freezers accumulated food residue, dirt, and other debris in and around them; damaged door gaskets on R.I. freezer, W.I. coolers, and W.I. freezers; sanitizing pails did not contain chlorine solution at 50 to 200 ppm; paper towels were not readily accessible to employees at hand washing sinks; washing signage to notify employees to wash hands missing men's restroom; dumpster doors not closed; broken, chipped, and damaged floor tiles throughout the facility; grease cleaner was stored above the ice machine.

6th Avenue Meat & Grocery; 326 6th Avenue South, Birmingham (84): Points were deducted for failure to have an employee with certification from an accredited food protection manager certification program; failure to post current permit in public view; blocks of cheese out of date; ice scoops improperly stored; lack of food thermometer; dishwashing equipment in poor repair; sanitizer for the wiping cloths too strong; dumpster doors left open.

El Gran Cafe; 4435 Galleria Boulevard, Hoover (85): Points were deducted for food stored at improper temperature; stored food not properly dated; dirty storage shelves; condensate leak in WI cooler.