Sacramento County senior citizen center closed after inspectors find mouse droppings, mold
Sacramento County health inspectors closed a local senior citizen center after discovering an active mouse infestation and mold-like growth in a refrigerator.
Additionally, seven Sacramento County restaurants received yellow placards due to various safety violations, ranging from fruit flies to a dead cockroach and improperly stored food.
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations, these are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Food Inspection Guide.
A red placard, however, 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 inspection.
The county performs about 14,000 inspections annually, with 97% of establishments passing, spokesman Ken Casparis previously told The Sacramento Bee.
Approximately 1% of inspections result in a closure, he said.
Health inspectors previously shut down a Sacramento Chinese restaurant after uncovering significant health code violations, including evidence of an active rodent infestation.
Hoi Cin Chinese Restaurant at 9555 Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento has since passed a re-inspection and received a green placard.
Here are the results of Sacramento County food facility inspections for Dec. 12 through Wednesday, Dec. 18, as of Thursday, Dec. 19:
If an inspection listed below needs clarification, business owners can email The Sacramento Bee at servicejournalists@sacbee.com. The Bee publishes weekly updates on health inspections across Sacramento County.
Sacramento County health inspectors close senior citizen center
Cordova Senior Activity Center, 3480 Routier Road in Sacramento, had three violations on Friday, Dec. 13.
Health inspectors closed the senior activity center due to a number of serious violations, including dirty surfaces and rodent activity, according to the Dec. 13 report.
Inspectors spotted five mouse droppings inside a pot and five droppings on top of a box of pasta.
Another 30 droppings were found beneath a storage rack and four droppings were discovered on top of canned food.
Additional health code violations included unclean surfaces, such as fan guards covered in dust and mold-like growth in the walk-in cooler.
According to the report, front sliding doors had gaps greater than a quarter-inch that could lead to vermin activity.
“This was an isolated incident caused by a door left open during a nighttime rental,” said Shelby Golden, the communications manager for the Cordova Recreation and Park District. “The mouse was promptly removed, the facility professionally treated and we’ve implemented additional precautions to prevent future issues.”
She also noted it was the first time the center had been closed in its history.
The senior citizen center recently passed a re-inspection and received a green placard on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Local restaurants cited for food safety violations
The following Sacramento County restaurants had violations the week of Dec. 12 through Wednesday, Dec. 18, resulting in a conditional pass.
Only the dates of violations are listed. Due to the conditional pass and receipt of yellow placard, a reinspection was or will be conducted within 24 to 72 hours of the inspection. The reports are linked.
For updates on individual restaurants, you can search the EMD website here.
Fabian’s Italian Bistro, 11755 Fair Oaks Blvd. in Fair Oaks, had 14 violations on Friday, Dec. 13
The Italian restaurant received health citations for several violations including a blocked hand-washing sink in the server area.
An employee was spotted returning to the serving area without washing their hands after handling dirty dishes.
Inspectors found that the dishwasher did not sanitize dishes after washing with soap.
Other violations included improper food storage and potentially hazardous ingredients at unsafe temperatures.
Short ribs, shredded cheese, sliced tomatoes, cream sauce and pesto were outside of safe temperatures, according to the report.
The Italian eatery passed reinspection on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Ruby Thai Kitchen, 1689 Arden Way, Suite 2030, in Sacramento, had six violations on Friday, Dec. 13.
Sacramento County health inspectors cited the restaurant for multiple violations, including cockroach activity and food held at unsafe temperatures.
Inspectors found one dead adult German cockroach underneath a three-compartment sink. At the time of the inspection, a pest control technician was on site and service was scheduled for the weekend.
Several ingredients were at improper holding temperatures, including steak, shrimp and chicken teriyaki.
Inspectors saw a chef carry out a pre-cooked tray of orange chicken that was not heated to a high enough temperature.
Raw proteins werestored above and next to carrots in the walk-in cooler, according to the report.
The Thai restaurant was reinspected on Monday, Dec. 16, and received a green placard.
7-Eleven, 6500 Folson Blvd., Suite 1, in Sacramento, had eight violations on Friday, Dec. 13.
The convenience store was cited by health inspectors for not adequately reheating chicken wings and storing a pizza slicer in a container filled with pizza grease.
Potentially hazardous foods, including cheese sticks, pizzas and chicken salad sandwiches, were outside of proper holding temperatures.
Some employees working with food did not have food handler cards, the report detailed.
Inspectors also discovered cappuccino mix had been spilled inside the drawers of the coffee station.
The 7-Eleven received a yellow placard again following a reinspection on Tuesday, Dec. 17, for failing to hold several food items at proper temperatures.
The business had not been reinspected a second time as of Thursday, Dec. 19.
Super Taco, 4720 Laguna Blvd, Suite 90, in Elk Grove, had 16 violations on Monday, Dec. 16.
The Mexican restaurant was cited by health inspectors for storing several food items, such as diced chicken, shredded cheese and eggs, at improper holding temperatures.
Inspectors observed an open beverage and personal food stored above a preparation table, as well as a soda gun and ice machine rimmed with dark residue.
The restaurant was also cited because it was difficult to access the mop sink behind deteriorating doors.
The restaurant had not been reinspected as of Thursday, Dec. 19.
Seoul Express, 1689 Arden Way, Suite 2028, in Sacramento, had 10 violations on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Sacramento County health inspectors flagged the Korean restaurant for several violations, including improper dishwashing procedures and dangerous thawing methods.
Inspectors witnessed an employee rinse out a blender using only water, skipping soap and sanitizing steps.
Hot water at all sinks was well below the minimum washing temperature of 100 degrees, the report said.
Some raw proteins were improperly thawed in a kitchen sink with stagnant water, while others were stored over produce in a walk-in cooler.
The restaurant’s permit to operate had expired.
The eatery was reinspected on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and received a green placard.
Gyro and Shawarma Grill, 2931 Sunrise Blvd., Suite 100, in Rancho Cordova, had five violations on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
The Mediterranean eatery was cited by health inspectors for having food at dangerous holding temperatures.
Inspectors spotted chicken on a steam table that measured at 111 degrees, instead of a minimum of 165 degrees as required.
There was no food safety certified manager on site, according to the report.
Records showed the restaurant’s health permit had expired.
Gyro and Shawarma Grill had not been reinspected as of Thursday, Dec. 19.
Charley’s Philly Steaks, 1689 Arden Way, Suite 2026, in Sacramento, had 10 violations on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
The Philadelphia-style cheesesteak chain restaurant received health citations for multiple violations including not having paper towels available at the handwash sink.
Potentially hazardous foods, such as mozzarella sticks and sliced provolone cheese, were outside of proper holding temperatures.
There were several fruit flies around the prep sink and back storage area, according to the report.
Inspectors witnessed a worker washing dishes in the same sink where a bottle of fruit puree was thawing.
Food handler cards were not available for any employees on site, the report said.
The eatery received a yellow placard again following a reinspection on Wednesday, Dec. 18, for having fruit flies and failing to hold food items at proper temperatures.
As of Thursday, Dec. 19, the restaurant had not been inspected an additional time.
This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
