Two Coast fast-food restaurants cited for critical violations

Fast-food restaurants in Pascagoula and Gulfport have received critical violations during recent inspections by the Mississippi Department of Health.

The health department has provided a total of 423 inspections since July 1, including 103 inspections in District IX, the six southernmost counties.

Reports filed on the MDH website show critical violations were found on the Mississippi Coast at a Dairy Queen and a Krystal.

Inspectors give an A rating to food service providers if they are in compliance with regulations; a B if violations found are corrected during an inspection; and a C if the violations are critical.

Restaurants must post their most recent state inspection permit where customers can see their current grade.

These are the two South Mississippi facilities receiving a C rating from July 1 through July 11:

Dairy Queen, 2421 Denney Ave., Pascagoula: Was found in violation of three potentially hazardous food violations on July 11. Was not in compliance with proper reheating procedures for holding hot foods, proper cooling time and temperatures and proper cold holding temperatures. The inspection was based on a complaint from an unspecified source. Dairy Queen had scored an A at its previous inspection on Jan. 11. Dairy Queen has been inspected 15 times since Jan. 13, 2013. This was its first C.

Krystal, 12045 U.S. 49, Gulfport: Krystal had two repeat violations at its July 10 inspection and a new one. Restaurant management had not posted two previous inspection reports where customers could view them and did not provide access to or supplies for adequate hand-washing. Also, a toxic substance — such as a cleaner with chemicals — was not property identified, stored or used. The hand-washing and toxic substance violations were corrected during the inspection. Krystal had received a B in June 2017 and in December 2017. The restaurant had an A in January 2017. Krystal has been inspected 22 times since July 5, 2011. This was its first C.

Inspections this month have included full-service restaurants, fast-food restaurants/delis, hospitals/nursing homes, bakeries, doughnut and coffee shops, caterers, seafood markets, bars with packaged food and an ice plant.

Also, inspectors have visited summer feeding programs and snowball stands.

This story was originally published July 12, 2018 at 5:31 PM.