Colorado has implemented new restaurant inspection regulations that took effect Jan. 1.
The Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations are based on a national standard for retail food sales, said Melissa Mathews, environmental specialist with the Montezuma County Health Department. She conducts inspections. There are several changes.
First, every entity serving food to the public must have at least one staff person be a certified food protection manager. Every shift does not have to have the certified person working, however.
Courses are typically two days with a test. Opportunities to take the class are available locally by calling 970-565-3056.
Other changes are that restaurants and food facilities can now use, sturdy, noncommercial-grade equipment, have any size of hand-washing sink, and prepare food in the three-sink area previously restricted to washing dishes. Marking the date on stored foods and temperature control is also a new requirement.
A new revision allows the use of customer containers to place to-go food, but after the container is washed properly by the facility. Also, hand-washing between glove changes while doing the same task is no longer required. Hand-washing between glove changes when a different task is begun is still required.
Food facilities must also have procedures for cleaning up after vomiting and diarrheal events.
There are no longer “critical” and “noncritical” violation categories. The new violation categories are “Priority,” “Priority Foundation” and “Core.”
Mathews said “Priority” and “Priority Foundation” are critical violations that might cause foodborne illnesses. “Core” violations are noncritical and are important, but they have less risk of causing foodborne illnesses.
The Journal publishes local restaurant inspection reports provided monthly by the Montezuma County Health Department.
Inspections of retail food facilities are done at least yearly and are unannounced.
Mathews conducts about 145 inspections every year for Montezuma and Dolores counties as the Health Department’s environmental health specialist.
Inspections are completed on-site and include standards set by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.
Cortez Veterans Inc.320 N Harrison, Cortez
date: May 24
Priority violations: 0
Priority Foundation Violations: 0
Core violations: 0
Antique Corral6817 U.S. Highway 160
date: May 10
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Safeway No. 18921580 E .Main St., Cortez
date: May 21
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Deer Hill Inc.7850 County Road 41
date: May 13
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Kokopelli Bike and Board130 W. Main St., Cortez
date: May 7
Priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
City Market No. 8508 E. Main St., Cortez
date: May 7
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
The River Bar & Grill1319 Railroad Ave,. Dolores
date: May 8
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
1. Certified food protection manager category
inspector comments: At least one employee that has supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation and service shall be a certified food protection manager.
Ponderosa Restaurant and Lounge108 S. Eighth St., Dolores
date: May 8
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 1
1. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
inspector comments: Facility does not have a policy in place. Left guidance with the facility owner. Problem corrected on-site.
core violations: 1
1. Certified food protection manager
inspector comments: At least one employee that has a supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation and service shall be a certified food protection manager.
Southern BBQ and Catering60741 U.S. Highway 491
date: May 9
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
WildEdge Brewing Collective111 N. Market St., Cortez
date: May 30
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Mancos Chavalo’s121 Railroad Ave., Mancos
date: May 30
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 1
1. Proper date marking and disposition category
inspector Comments: Ready-to-eat TCS foods prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less for a maximum of seven days.
core violations: 0
Dunton River Camp50018 County Road 38, Dolores
date: May 31
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Dunton Hotsprings Inc.52068 W. Fork, Rico
date: May 31
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0