Health Dept: Springfield Restaurant Implements Risk Control Plans Amid Mouse Poop Report

Springfield Restaurant Faces Multiple Risk Control Plans

A Springfield restaurant, It's Greek to Me, located at 2825 S. Glenstone Ave. in the Battlefield Mall, was placed on two risk control plans this week due to violations identified during an inspection conducted by the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. The restaurant was placed on a risk control plan for pest control and another for hot holding. This comes after repeated violations were noted, including issues with food temperatures and the presence of mouse feces.

During the Sept. 16 inspection, it was found that the gyro meat was being kept below the required temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, mouse droppings were discovered in several areas, including under the counter, behind the soda cooler, on a box of napkins, around soda bags, and in the deep chest freezers area. These findings represent repeat violations, which can lead to more severe consequences if not addressed promptly.

A risk control plan is designed to identify the specific risks associated with the violation, outline the necessary steps to ensure food safety, and provide guidance on how the establishment can meet these requirements. These plans are critical in maintaining high standards of hygiene and preventing foodborne illnesses.

Understanding Violations: Priority vs. Non-Priority

Food inspections categorize violations into priority and non-priority. Priority violations directly impact food safety and include issues such as cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods, improper food temperatures, and poor personal hygiene. If multiple priority violations are found, an establishment may be shut down until the issues are resolved. Non-priority violations, while not immediately dangerous, can still affect the overall cleanliness and operation of a food establishment. Examples include dirty floors, sticky tabletops, or uncovered trash cans.

Restaurants that prepare food from raw ingredients typically undergo more frequent inspections than those serving non-potentially hazardous items like popcorn or soda. Consumers interested in understanding whether a violation is a one-time issue or a recurring problem are encouraged to review previous inspection reports.

Recent Food Inspections in Springfield

Several other establishments across Springfield have also been inspected recently, with varying results:

• 4D's Eats LLC: A re-inspection was conducted on Sept. 15, and the result was "active," indicating that previous violations had been corrected.
• Alli's Family Restaurant: During a routine inspection on Sept. 12, one priority violation was observed regarding the chlorine solution in the ware-washing machine. A re-inspection was scheduled.
• Alpha Chi Omega Sorority: No priority violations were found, but there were some non-priority issues related to flooring around drains.
• Bada Bing Wing Company: No violations were cited during a routine inspection on Sept. 13.
• Bair's All-American Sports Grill: One priority violation was noted regarding plastic containers with sticker residue, but no non-priority violations were found.
• Bambu Vietnamese Cuisine: A live roach was observed on the kitchen floor, leading to a need for a re-inspection.
• Boss Hog's BBQ: No violations were reported during a routine inspection on Sept. 13.
• Bowerman School: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 16.
• Bubbas BBQ: One priority violation was found regarding pesticide storage, which was corrected on-site.
• Casa Bella: Two priority violations were identified, including improperly labeled food items and insufficient chlorine solution in the dish machine. A re-inspection was required.
• Central High Volleyball/Basketball Concession: A non-priority violation involving mouse feces was noted, and education was provided to staff.
• Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen No. 2009: Two non-priority violations were found, both of which were corrected during the inspection.
• Colton's Steak House: One priority violation involved a can opener blade with dried food debris, which was cleaned on-site.
• Cox Walnut Lawn - North: Six containers of house-made salads were found to be past their use-by date, which were voluntarily discarded.
• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store No. 127: One priority violation was noted regarding unclean utensils, which were corrected on-site.
• Crave Mediterranean Cafe - Babel LLC: Several containers in the cooler were found without proper date markings, which were corrected during the inspection.
• Darla's Diner: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 15.
• Eugene Field School: No violations were cited during a routine inspection on Sept. 12.
• Fast-N-Friendly No. 17: One priority violation involved an employee touching a burger with bare hands, which was corrected by discarding the burger and discussing glove use.
• Fazoli's: One non-priority violation was found regarding a cooking pan not being stored clean, which was cleaned on-site.
• Flaming Wok: One non-priority violation was noted regarding a leaking hand sink and improper food storage.
• Fulbright Early Childhood Development: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 11.
• Fusion Eatz: Potentially hazardous foods were found to be cold held in the walk-in cooler, requiring a re-inspection.
• Golden Cuisine: A re-inspection was conducted on Sept. 15, and the result was "active" with no violations noted.
• Haile Yeah BBQ: No violations were cited during a routine inspection on Sept. 13.
• Healthy Spot: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 12.
• Hinode Japanese Steakhouse: One priority violation was found regarding the ambient temperature inside a Pepsi cooler, requiring a re-inspection.
• Huhot Mongolian Grill: One non-priority violation was noted regarding rice scoop storage, which was corrected on-site.
• IHOP No. 5339: One priority violation involved a damaged food dicer blade, which was discarded.
• It's Greek to Me: Five priority violations were identified, including improper food temperatures and the presence of mouse droppings. A re-inspection was required.
• Jersey Mike's Subs: No violations were cited during a routine inspection on Sept. 9.
• Jordan Valley Ice Park Concession Stand: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 12.
• K Fried Chicken: No violations were noted during a routine inspection on Sept. 12.
• Kentucky Fried Chicken: One non-priority violation was found regarding dirty ceiling vents, which were cleaned on-site.
• Kickapoo High School: One priority violation was identified regarding milk cartons stored at an incorrect temperature, which were discarded.
• Mays Mart: Three non-priority violations were noted, including the lack of testing strips for sanitizing solutions and a damaged ice machine lid.
• McAlisters Deli: One priority violation was found regarding sauces stored above 41 degrees, which were discarded. Two non-priority violations were also noted.
• McDonald's: No violations were observed during a re-inspection on Sept. 10.
• Mile 6 Taproom: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 12.
• Notc'ho Ordinary Taco: One non-priority violation was noted regarding the storage of raw chicken above ready-to-eat food, which was corrected on-site.
• Nothing Bundt Cakes No. 404: No violations were cited during a routine inspection on Sept. 12.
• Ocean Zen: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 17.
• Ovations Plaster Stadium Stand 1–6: No violations were observed during routine inspections.
• Pasta Express: One priority violation was found regarding the absence of chlorine in a sanitizer bucket, which was corrected on-site.
• Pizza Hut No. 1847: One non-priority violation was noted regarding a damaged door seal, which was addressed.
• Pleasany View School: No violations were cited during a routine inspection.
• Price Cutter Plus No. 50 Cold Deli: One priority violation was found regarding the lack of date labels on deli meats, which were discarded.
• Price Cutter Plus No. 50 Hot Bar/Pizza: One priority violation was found regarding the absence of bleach in the dish machine, which was corrected on-site.
• Rib Crib No. 18: Two priority violations were identified, including improperly stored food scoops and unlabeled food items. Two non-priority violations were also noted.
• Scramblers: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 17.
• Select Specialty Hospital: One priority violation was found regarding the temperature of eggs and turkey on the serve line, which were discarded.
• Senor Julian Mexican Bar & Grill: No violations were cited during a routine inspection.
• Strafford School Booster Football Concession: No violations were observed during a routine inspection.
• Strafford School Gymnasium Concession: No violations were cited during a routine inspection.
• Suburban Snow: No violations were cited during a routine inspection on Sept. 13.
• Sunshine Elementary: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 16.
• Super 8 Motel: A re-inspection was conducted on Sept. 10, and the result was "active" with no violations noted.
• The Boba House Cafe: A re-inspection was conducted on Sept. 16, and the result was "active" with no violations noted.
• The Infinite Kitchen: No violations were observed during a routine inspection on Sept. 13.
• The Vintage Scoop: No violations were cited during a routine inspection on Sept. 13.
• Tuka Tacos 2: No violations were noted during a routine inspection on Sept. 10.
• Umi Japanese Restaurant: No priority violations were found, but two non-priority violations were noted.
• Willard South Elementary: One non-priority violation was noted regarding employees without proper hair restraints, which was corrected on-site.
• Yan's Sushi and Grill: Two non-priority violations were found, including noodles cooling while tightly covered and a dead mouse in a trap, both of which were corrected on-site.