Mouse droppings, fruit flies and mold: See latest Sacramento County health inspections

Mouse droppings mold and fruit flies were among the health code violations discovered by Sacramento County inspectors at local food-serving facilities.

Inspectors issued yellow placards to five local restaurants as well as a butcher shop and a convenience store.

A yellow placard signals two or more major violations, according to the Sacramento County Food Inspection Guide. These are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection.

A red placard signals “imminent danger to public health and safety” and suspends the health permit until violations are corrected. This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.

In contrast, a green placard means a restaurant passed the inspection.

The county conducts roughly 14,000 inspections a year, and 97% of all restaurants pass their inspections, spokesman Ken Casparis previously told The Sacramento Bee. About 1% of inspections result in a closure.

Health inspectors shut down McCaffrey Middle School in Galt on May 16 due to a broken water heater, but the middle school reopened later that same day.

Here are the Sacramento County food facility inspections for May 23 through Wednesday, as of noon Thursday:

If an inspection listed below needs clarification, business owners can email Sacramento Bee reporter Jacqueline Pinedo at jpinedo@sacbee.com. The Bee will publish weekly updates on health inspections across Sacramento County.

Sacramento County restaurants, butcher shop cited for health violations

The following Sacramento County restaurants had violations the week of May 23 through May 29, resulting in a conditional pass.

Only the dates of violations are listed. Most restaurants fully pass reinspection within 72 hours. The reports are linked. For updates on individual restaurants, you can search the EMD website here.

Mikuni, 1530 J St. in Sacramento, had eight violations on Tuesday.

Inspectors saw raw salmon, seared tuna and whitefish in a non-functioning refrigerator on Tuesday, according to the report, while tofu was stored improperly in an ice bath.

An automatic dishwasher ran three times without soap during Tuesday’s inspection.

“Slime mold-like accumulation” was in the facility’s ice machine, the report said, and there were fruit flies in the bar area.

The restaurant was reinspected on Wednesday and received a green placard.

Creasian Fusion, 9163 East Stockton Blvd. in Elk Grove, had 11 violations on Wednesday.

Inspectors observed sinks without soap, Wednesday’s report said, and drinks without lids being stored on a top shelf in the fridge.

“Black mold-like substances” were inside an ice machine, according to the report.

The following cooked foods were outside of proper holding temperatures: sliced brisket, noodles, pork and beef.

The restaurant had not been reinspected as of Thursday afternoon.

Original Pizza House, 3315 Northgate Blvd. in Sacramento, had six violations on Tuesday.

All sinks at the restaurant were missing soap during Tuesday’s inspection, according to the report.

There were multiple dead German cockroaches on a glue board but inspectors said they didn’t spot traces of live roaches.

Buckets of salt and sugar lacked labels, according to the report.

California food handler cards were not available during the inspection.

The restaurant was reinspected on Wednesday and received a green placard.

River Park Market, 5485 Carlson Drive in Sacramento, had 13 violations on May 23.

Inspectors found a mold-like accumulation inside the ice machine of the convenience store, according to the May 23 report, as well as mold-like build-up on the walls and ceilings of a walk-in cooler.

There were “approximately 25 mice droppings” on the floors surrounding bottled wine and beer and along the sides of walls in a back storage area, the report said.

The floor sink for the ice machine was draining slowly during the inspection.

The market had not been reinspected as of Thursday afternoon.

Pho Lotus Restaurant, 9600 Bruceville Road in Elk Grove, had 12 violations on Tuesday.

There was old food debris on a meat slicer and a refrigerator during Tuesday’s inspection.

Inspectors also observed rice scoopers in stagnant water and “black soot” on hood filters, according to the report.

The restaurant’s food safety certification was expired during the inspection and multiple employees did not have their food handler cards.

The restaurant had been reinspected as of Thursday afternoon.

Carniceria Lopez, 5550 Franklin Blvd. in Sacramento, had 13 violations on May 24.

Shredded cheese, raw shell eggs, ham and sliced tomatoes were outside of proper holding temperatures during the May 24 inspection, and improperly cooling methods were used for rice, beans and pork.

Inspectors also saw employees at the butcher shop wash their hands without soap.

Dust and mold were on the fan guards of a refrigerator.

The market was reinspected on Tuesday and received a green placard.

Halal Muncheez, 907 K St in Sacramento, had eight violations on May 24.

During the May 24 inspection, sinks were out of paper towels, according to the report.

Fried chicken was outside its proper holding temperature, and foods were not stored in a refrigerator correctly.

The restaurant was reinspected on May 25 and received a green placard.

This story was originally published May 31, 2024 at 8:04 AM.