2 Subway stores, Burger King and Coast sushi restaurant cited for health violations
The number of restaurants failing their inspection in South Mississippi is on the rise since April, and for many of them it’s the same violation.
Since the coronavirus, restaurant owners are having issues getting and keeping food safety managers to oversee the kitchen and ensure the proper procedures are being followed.
Three of the four restaurants that got a C so far in August were cited for no certified manager, according to data from the Mississippi State Department of Health.
They include:
Burger King, 1641 Pass Road, Biloxi. It was inspected Aug. 2 for a permit. This is the only C for the restaurant dating back to 2007.
Subway, 790 Memorial Blvd., Picayune had a scheduled inspection Aug. 1. This is the only C dating back to 2010
Subway at 1793 U.S. 11 North, Picayune also had a scheduled inspection Aug. 1 and also was cited for no certified manager. This is the only C dating back to 2009.
Rock N Roll Sushi at 1427 25th Ave., Gulfport, also got a C following a scheduled inspection Aug. 4. The restaurant was cited for not having food contact surface cleaned and sanitized, a repeat offense, and for improper cold holding temperatures.
Corrected during the inspection was toxic substance properly identified, stored and used.
The restaurant was given a C in February and this was the second inspection since then.
Restaurants and other food service establishments in Mississippi are rated “A” if they pass the health department inspection, “B” if violations are corrected during the inspection, and “C” if the violations are critical.
Restaurants are inspected at least once and up to four times a year by inspectors for Mississippi Department of Health who screen a checklist of safety issues for food storage and handling.
Certified safety managers generally are paid more than other kitchen staff because of their additional duties. Hiring and keeping certified managers has become an issue since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020.
Records from the Health Department show:
- Nine restaurants in South Mississippi received a C in July 2019, and 0 were cited for no certified manager
- Nine restaurants in South Mississippi received a C in 2021, and 3 were cited for no certified manager
- Ten restaurants in South Mississippi received a C in 2022, and 5 were cited for no certified manager
Under the 2017 FDA Food Code, Mississippi food establishments must have a least one owner, executive chef or supervisor employed full time who takes an eight-hour course and passes the exam to become a Certified Food Protection Manager.
The certification is good for five years.
A course offered through Mississippi State University Extension Service costs $140, which included the book and the class. Other companies offer the classes for about $99 and allow online exams through a proctor for an additional $55.
With the concentration of restaurants in South Mississippi, the Coast has a large share of the C grades each month.
From April through July, inspectors have issued 28 C grades to restaurants in South Mississippi compared to 21 for the same period in 2021.
This story was originally published August 8, 2022 at 6:30 AM.
