Huddle House (Rincon)

Observed toaster oven and "clean" dishes stored on shelving in back room to have heavy buildup of debris. Observed dishes stored not inverted near the waffle maker.

RCA: Clean equipment regularly to eliminate sources of contamination. Clean dishes with dish machine and ensure all debris is removed before storing.

Observed several containers of food (macaroni 1-30, jalepenos 1-31, mashed potatoes 2-9, mushrooms 2-6, and green beans 2-6) stored past marked expiration date. Observed sauces in cooler stored past expiration date (ranch (buttermilk) 2-10).

CA: PIC discarded food items and will ensure that all date marked items are not expired.

Observed backdoor of facility left open and unlocked after arriving. Door locks but has a small gap on each side of the door.

RCA: Ensure door can fully close to eliminate chance for bugs or rodents to enter the facility.

Observed waffle batter, pancake mix, and sugar stored on the floor in the dry storage area.

RCA: Keep all food products and food contact items at least 6 off the floor.

Observed scoops stored in food with handle touching food product inside containers that have been held past their expiration date.

CA: Employee disposed of food product and removed scoops.

Observed silverware stored with the lip contact surface stored on the drink machine where debris is building up from sitting.

RCA: Remove spoon and keep all in use utensils stored in designated areas.

Observed accumulation of food debris in the steam well (with water), in the syrup warmer (with water but has food debris in it), under the grill and fryer, under and around the waffle maker, and biscuit oven in the back of the kitchen (buildup on the bottom).

RCA: Clean equipment regularly to eliminate chance of contamination.

Observed toilet scrubber stored in lidded trash can in the women's restroom.

RCA: Ensure all trash receptacles are available and accessible.

Observed debris on walls, floors, and ceiling tiles. Observed hood vent to have a buildup of grease and debris. Observed mop not hung and dry.

RCA: Clean facility regularly to eliminate contamination.

Observed personal food items stored in same cooler as eggs and waffle batter in front kitchen area. Employees items are also being stored above ice machine where risk of contamination can occur.

RCA: Ensure employee items are stored in a place low and away from any other food product or equipment to eliminate chance of contamination.

CA: Employee moved food to walk-in cooler in a designated area.

Observed lighting in hood to have 2 out of the 5 lightbulbs blown.

RCA: Replace lightbulbs to provide adequate lighting.

Observed pitcher of water sitting in front hand sink. Observed cart blocking back hand sink. CA: PIC removed all items and will ensure hand sink remains accessible at all times. A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use.

Observed various items in the walk-in cooler being held past marked expiration date (gravy marked 7/16, mac n cheese marked 7/17). CA: PIC discarded food items and will ensure that all date marked items are not expired.

Observed no permit hanging in facility. CA: Post the permit in a location in the food service establishment that is conspicuous to consumers

Observed silverware stored with the lip-contact service up where employees were grabbing. CA: PIC inverted silverware items. Knives, forks, and spoons that are not pre-wrapped shall be presented so that only the handles are touched by employees and by consumers if consumer self-service is provided

Observed wet stacking of dishes CA: PIC will ensure that all dishes are completely dry before being stacked.

Observed facility to not have test strips for dishwashing machine. CA: PIC will ensure test strips are available at facility. A test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration in mg/L of sanitizing solutions shall be provided.

Observed no soap for the hand sink at the front of the kitchen CA: PIC retrieved soap from back of kitchen for hand sink

Observed the dish washer machine does not pull any concentration of sanitizer. CA: PIC has put in a workorder to get machine fixed and will only use three-compartment sink until dishwasher has been fixed and verified.

Observed fan with dust and debris pointing towards food items being used for airflow in the main kitchen area. CA: PIC removed fan and will ensure cleaning frequency is updated.

Observed multiple employees with bracelets working in kitchen area. RCA: Ensure all employees remove any jewelry prior to food handling

Observed employee with beard longer than half an inch not using any hair restraint when cooking food. RCA: Ensure that all employees with beards longer than 0.5 inches are wearing a beard guard/restraint.

Observed backdoor of facility left open upon first entering. Observed backdoor difficult to close and have a gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. RCA: Ensure that all doors and outer openings are well maintained and airtight to prevent pests from entering kitchen

Observed no hand drying provision for the hand sink in the back of the kitchen.

CA: PIC placed paper towels in the back for the hand sink.

Observed the dish washer machine not pull any concentration of sanitizer.

CA: PIC replaced the sanitizer bucket with a new one.

Observed TCS food items not date labeled that are held more than 24 hours, some items had a sticker on it, but no specific date.

RCA:Employees are to properly date label food items. The prep date should be labeled as day 1 and the discard or to be used by date shall be 7 days after, including the prep-day date.

Observed expired milk 07/13/2024 in the reach in cooler.

CA: PIC discarded the milk.

Observed no chemical sanitizer reading at 3-compartment sink. RCA/CA: PIC is to instruct employees to pass each dish through the ware washing machine or temporarily use bleach in the 3-compartment sink as a sanitizer. Attain test strips to test bleach concentration. Contact the ECHD when sanitizer has been fixed. (912-754-6850)

Observed an overall lack of date marking throughout the facility. Several TCS items in reach-in coolers, and walk-in cooler are being held for longer than 24 hours and do not have date labels on food products. RCA: Employees are to properly date label food items. The prep date should be labeled as day 1 and the discard or to be used by date shall be 7 days after, including the prep-day date.

Observed multiple food items in containers in walk-in cooler, on top of prep surfaces, and in reach-in coolers with no labels present, not identified by common food name. RCA: Obtain labels on food items and containers to identify food item.

Observed food employee actively prepping food with bracelets on hand.

Observed multiple food items in containers with no labels present, not identified by common food name. RCA: Obtain labels on food items and containers to identify food item.

Observed food items stored in floor in freezer (eggs), and oil container stored on floor in FOH. RCA: Move food items in walk in freezer to shelf, and move oil at least 6" off the floor.

Observed food employee actively prepping food with no beard restraint and bracelet on hand.