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.
“The training requirement for the one staff member is intended to help educate the rest of the staff,” Mathews said.
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 rules are science-based and easier to understand. They are not unreasonable,” Mathews said. “Studies have shown that when there is a certified food protection manager at staff, foodborne illnesses go down.”
She said inspections are taking longer because of the need to educate staff at facilities. They are encouraged to keep a hard copy handy or have it bookmarked on their computer desktop.
The Journal publishes local restaurant inspection reports provided monthly by the Montezuma County Health Department.
Inspections of all retail food facilities are done yearly, and in some cases, more than once per year.
Unannounced inspections are conducted for restaurants, school, hospital and nursing home cafeterias, grocery stores, convenience stores, fairgrounds, resorts, food trucks and any event or facility where food is sold to the public.
Mathews conducts about 145 retail food facility inspections every year for Montezuma and Dolores counties as the Health Department’s environmental health specialist.
The inspections are completed on-site and include compliance standards set by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.
Main Street Brewery and Restaurant21 E. Main St., Cortez
date: March 3
priority violations: 0
Priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
The Pie Maker17 N Harrison St., Cortez
date: March 29
Priority violations: 0
Priority Foundation violations: 0
Core violations: 0
Angels End Zone309 N Broadway Ave., Cortez
date: March 28
Priority violations: 0
Priority Foundation Violations: 0
Core Violations: 1
1. Certified food protection manager category
inspector comments: Facility does not have certified manager in the establishment.
J Fargo’s Grill & Bar1209 E. Main St., Cortez
date: March 21
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
Core violations: 1
1. Certified food protection manager
inspector comments: Establishment does not have a certified person in the establishment. Working on the course currently and will be taking the exam at the testing center.
Loungin’ Lizard2 W. Main St., Cortez
date: March 21
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Ocean Pearl Chinese Restaurant300 E. Main St., Cortez
date: March 13
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 2
1. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events category.
inspector comments: No procedure in place for cleaning up these type of events. Problem corrected during inspection.
2. Proper date marking and disposition category.
inspector comments: Facility does not have a procedure in place. Problem was corrected during inspection.
Core violations: 5
1. Certified food protection manager category.
inspector comments: Facility does not have a certified person in the establishment.
2. Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible category.
inspector comments: No signage present on either hand sink.
3. Food properly labeled; original container category.
inspector comments: Containers containing dry ingredients are not labeled. Example is the flour container.
4. Non-food contact surfaces clean category.
inspector comments: Inside refrigerated units are dirty with food debris. The doors, the gaskets, shelves, and the lids all have food build-up, The movable cart with the dry ingredient containers is very dirty.
5. Physical facilities Installed, maintained, and clean category.
inspector comments: Ceiling in kitchen has a leak from the roof. Bucket is catching the leak until fixed.
Wendy’s221 E. Main St., Cortez
date: March 1
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Stonefish Sushi and More16 Main St., Cortez
date: March 26
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 1
1. Certified Food Protection Manager category.
inspector comments: Facility does not have a certified food protection manager in the establishment. Owner will be attending the April ServSafe course.
Cold Stone Creamery with Rocky Mountain Chocolate215 S. Sligo St., Cortez
date: March 26
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Subway Sandwiches1835 E. Main St., Cortez
date: March 25
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 1
1. Certified Food Protection Manager category
inspector comments: Facility has food handlers certificates, but not able to locate the manager’s certificate.
Maverik No. 497455 State St., Cortez
date: March 25
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 1
1. Toxic substances properly identified, stored and used category
inspector comments: Spray bottle with a cleaner stored by disposable gloves is not labeled with the common name of the material. Problem corrected during inspection.
core violations: 1
1. Certified Food Protection Manager category
inspector comments: Facility does not have a current certificate of certified person in the establishment.
Subway1219 E Main St., Cortez
date: March 14
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 1
1. Certified Food Protection Manager category
inspector comments: Facility does not have a certified person in the establishment.
Chavolito’s Mexican Restaurant104 2nd St., Dolores
date: Feb. 27
priority violations: 3
1. Hands clean and properly washed category
inspector comments: Food employee shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms when switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat foods and before donning gloves to initiate a task that involves working with food. Observed gloved hands handling beef and no glove change or handwashing before handling equipment and ready to eat foods. Problem corrected during inspection.
2. Food separated and protected category.
inspector comments: Food shall be protected from cross-contamination by separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display. Observed raw hamburger and raw beef stored above ready to eat foods in the refrigerator located in the kitchen. Problem corrected during inspection.
3. Proper cooling time and temperature category
inspector comments: Cooked time/temperature control for safety food shall be cooled within 2 hours from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and within a total of 6 hours from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chili verde salsa at 50 degrees Fahrenheit The product was cooked the night before. Problem corrected during inspection.
priority foundation violations: 3
1. Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties category.
inspector comments: The person in charge has violations of priority items during the current inspection. Problem corrected during inspection.
2. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events category.
inspector comments: Facility does not have a procedure in place. Problem corrected during inspection.
3. Proper date marking and disposition category.
inspector comments: Facility does not have a written policy in place. When asked they are only keeping ready-to-eat foods that are held for more than 24 hours every 5 days. Problem corrected during inspection.
core violations: 4
1. Certified Food Protection Manager category.
inspector comments: Facility does not have a staff member certified. Will attend class in March.
2. Approved thawing methods used category.
inspector comments: Facility is not using an approved method to thaw raw beef roast. Observed a package of raw beef brisket sitting on top of dishwasher. Facility will be cooking today.
3. Wiping cloths; properly used and stored category
inspector comments: Cloths in use for wiping food spills from tableware and carry-out containers that occur as food is being served shall be maintained dry and used for no other purpose Observed employee wiping gloved hands on towel, using towel to wipe off plates, and to wipe down grill.
4. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices category
inspector comments: The plumbing system shall be maintained and in good repair. The hand sink located in the kitchen has a faucet that is not working. Employees are utilizing the 2nd compartment of the 2 compartment sink to wash handles until it is repaired.
Hamburger Haven108 E Grand Ave., Mancos
date: March 5
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 1
1. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
inspector comments: Facility does not have a procedure in place. Problem was corrected during inspection.
core violations: 0
KFC of Cortez2222 E. Main St., Cortez
date: March 1
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 1
1. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events category
inspector comments: Facility does not have specific procedures in place. Problem corrected during inspection.
core violations: 1
1. Certified Food Protection Manager category
inspector comments: Facility does not currently have a certified food protection manager. Staff are working on the courses.
Cortez Livestock Auction23783 County Road M, Cortez
date: March 6
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 3
1. Certified Food Protection Manager category
inspector comments: Facility does not have a certified manager on premise.
2. Non-food contact surfaces clean category
inspector comments: The refrigerated and freezer units in the storeroom have build up of dust, food debris and spills on inside and outside of units.
3. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices category
inspector comments: Hand sink located in the kitchen area is not draining as designed.
The Abundant Life201 E. Main St., Cortez
date: March 8
Priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Skyline Food & Gas27963 Highway 184
date: March 12
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 1
1. Certified Food Protection Manager category
inspector comments: Facility does not have a certified person in the establishment.
Domino’s Pizza2224 E. Main St., Cortez
date: March 11
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 1
1. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events category
inspector comments: Facility does not have a procedure in place. The manager did however know the proper procedure in handling the type of event. Problem corrected during inspection.
core violations: 0
Loop’s Coffee House and Bistro795 Railroad Ave., Dolores
date: March 12
priority violations: 1
1. Hands clean and properly washed category.
inspector comments: Employee observed handling money and then putting gloves on to prepare ready to eat foods. Problem corrected during inspection.
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 1
1. Certified Food Protection Manager category
inspector comments: Facility does not have a certified person within the establishment. Will be attending the April class.
Maverik Country Store No. 27510223 U.S. 491, Cortez
date: March 8
priority Violoations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
