Circleville Kroger Gets Poor Review by Health Department

May 28, 2023

Circleville – The local Krogers received a poor review from the health department mostly because of cleanliness and temperature controls of their deli.

According to the Pickaway County health department, they inspected the local Krogers located at 175 Lancaster Pike where they found a lot of issues, a total of 14 violations were marked, 7 of them being critical.

Below are the critical violations that were found just during the inspection, some were found in the Deli, in the freezers, and some at Starbucks.

3717-1-02.4(B)(2)(k) / PIC: Demonstration of Knowledge – Explaining correct procedures for cleaning and sanitizingCritical PIC unable to demonstrate knowledge of cleaning and sanitizing. PICs in prep foods and bakery dept not testing sanitizer. Sanitizer is to be checked every 4 hours to ensure sanitizing of utensils.

3717-1-05.1(O)(2) / Using a handwashing sink – other uses prohibited.Critical Corrected During Inspection Observed utensil being stored in hand sink in prepared foods. Nothing is to be stored in hand sink. Utensil was removed.

3717-1-04.6(B) / Sanitizing frequency of utensils and food-contact surfaces – before use and after cleaningCritical Utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment not sanitized at the required frequency. Prep food dept not sanitizing thermometers. All food contact surfaces must be sanitized every 4 hours. Get alcohol pads for thermometers.

3717-1-04.4(N)(3) / Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization (quaternary ammonium) – temp., pH, concentration, and hardnessCritical Quaternary ammonium sanitizing solution at incorrect concentration. Observed sanitizer not dispensing in prepared foods and bakery 3 compartment sink. Quat sanitizer must be at 200 to 400ppm. Use sani-tabs until dispenser is fixed.

3717-1-03.4(F)(1)(b) / Time/temperature controlled for safety food – cold holding.Critical Corrected During Inspection TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature. Observed several packages of roast beef in customer reach in deli cooler temping at around 53 degrees. Meats were voluntarily discarded. All cold holding must be kept at 41 degrees or below.

3717-1-03.4(F)(1)(b) / Time/temperature controlled for safety food – cold holding.Critical Corrected During Inspection TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature. Observed 3 cartons of milk tempong above 50 degrees at Starbucks. All cold holding must be kept at 41 or below. Milk was voluntarily discarded.

3717-1-07.1(A) / Poisonous or toxic materials: Storage: separation.Critical Corrected During Inspection Improper storage of poisonous or toxic materials. Observed chemical container being stored above handsink in Starbucks. Do not store chemicals above handsink. Bottle was removed.

3717-1-06.4(K) / Controlling pests.Critical Presence of live insects. Observed gnats and flies throughout bakery. Control insects.

In the non-critical report, the health inspectors found a lot of cleanliness issues with the store including storage racks with built-up food debris, build-up of broken eggs in the cooler, and ventilation systems where prepared foods like raw chicken were prepared covered in build-up. Below is the list of violations

3717-1-06.2(C) / Handwashing sinks – hand drying provision.Repeat Corrected During Inspection No towels or drying device at the handwashing sink. At time of inspection, hand towel dispenser was not operating. Make sure employees have hand drying provisions at every hand sink.

3717-1-04.5(A)(3) / Cleanliness of nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment.Observed build up of eggs yolk and dust on shelves in egg cooler. Clean shelves.

3717-1-04.5(D) / Nonfood-contact surfaces – cleaning frequency.Non-food contact surface(s) not cleaned at the required frequency. Storage racks in bakery in front of walk in freezer found with build up of food debris. Clean all surfaces at a frequency that prevents build up of debris.

3717-1-04.5(D) / Nonfood-contact surfaces – cleaning frequency.Non-food contact surface(s) not cleaned at the required frequency. Observed build up of food debris on deli cooler door in track. Make sure tracks are cleaned at a frequency that prevents build up of food debris.

3717-1-04.5(A)(3) / Cleanliness of nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment.Observed chocolate milk spilled in reach in dairy cooler. Keep milk shelves clean.

3717-1-06.4(A) / Repairing.Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. Floors throughout facility found with broken tiles and baseboards. Replace broken tiles, especially in meat dept in front of walk in cooler, as the broken tile is holding water.

3717-1-06.4(F) / Drying mops.Mops dried improperly. Observed mops not being air dried in dry storage of prepared foods. Mops must be hung or draped so that they can air dry.

3717-1-06.4(B) / Cleaning – frequency and restrictions.Facility not maintained clean. Floor under 3 comp sink in bakery needs cleaning. Make sure floors are cleaned at a frequency that prevents build up of debris.

3717-1-06.4(A) / Repairing.Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. Plastic curtains in walk in coolers and freezers throughout facility were found broken. Replace plastic curtains.

3717-1-06.4(B) / Cleaning – frequency and restrictions.Facility not maintained clean. Floor between wall and blast chiller in prepared foods found with food debris. Make sure floors are cleaned at a frequency that prevents a lot of food build up.

3717-1-06.4(D) / Cleaning ventilation systems, nuisance and discharge prohibition.Observed dust build up on ceiling and fans in raw chicken cooler in prepared foods. Clean fans.

This is the most violations that Kroger has had since 2014, they did have several violations in their last inspection in January. With as many violations that were reported, most likely the health department will come back and inspect again soon.