Outback Steakhouse

Observed that the facility is using time as a public health contorl for TCS items on the line, however, not all items are marked with the times that they were brought or the time of discard and one item was marked that it was placed out on the 26th already (sour cream, staff is unsure if item was discarded at the end and only the label was not changed or if it was mixed/added too and re-used now). COS. Times added to items. Code: TCS food that uses time as a public health control shall follow a pre-written plan, the plan shall be followed, and the items shall be marked to indicate when they are to be discarded.

Observed that non-easily identifiable spices and sauces on the line were not marked with the common name of the product. COS. Labels added. Code: Non-easily identifiable foods shall be labeled with the common name of the product.

Observed employee on the line preparing food who has a beard that is not restrained. COS. Bear net donned. Code: Hair longer than one half of an inch shall have a hair net or be properly restrained, including beards and moustaches.

Observed employee with long, painted/coated nails that was working with exposed food (bread) and did not have gloves on. COS. Employee donned gloves. Code: Fingernails shall be kept short and free of paint/polish unless gloves are worn while working with food.

Observed front of hosue employees preparing food while having large, non-plain band rings on. COS. Removed. Code: With the exception of a plain band ring, no jewelry shall be worn on the hands or wrists while working with food, to include medical information bracelets.

Observed accumulation of debris on floors, particularly under shelves in the walk-in freezer and bar. Code: Facility shall be thoroughly cleaned and cleaning frequency shall be enough to prevent accumulation of debris.

Observed cold TCS food stored above 41 F (sour cream, compound butters, cheeses, tomato, lettuce). COS. Items discarded. CA: TCS food that uses cold holding as a control for safety shall be held at 41 F or below.

Observed hot TCS food stored below 135 F (onions, melted (hot) lemon butter). COS. Items were prepared and placed out today; facility was allowed to reheat the items and place them back out. After returning to these items, the onions were only 138 F. Direct inspector intervention was required to have the items reheated to 165 F. CA: TCS food that uses hot holding as a control for safety shall be held at 135 F or higher.

Observed several foodborne illness and public health intervention violations including time and temperature control of TCS food, hand sink usage, employee health reporting requirements, and food contact surfaces clean and there was a lack of manager and employee training and knowledge based on incorrect corrective actions that were attempted and incorrect answers to food safety questions. CA: It is the responsibility of the person in charge to prevent, identify, and address violations as they may occur and as necessary.

Observed that the facility was unable to provide verifiable means of showing employee health reporting acknowledgement for all of the 3 randomly selected employees. CA: Facility shall have verifiable means of showing employee health reporting requirement acknowledgement.

Observed employee drink in a reusable tumbler that was stored above single-use items; observed employee drink stored in the correct container but was stored on top of the dishmachine. COS. Drinks removed. CA: Employee drinks shall be in single-use containers with a lid and a straw and shall be handled to prevent contamination.

Observed employees dumping drinks and items down the hand sink at the service station and on the line. COS. Staff educated on hand sink usage. CA: Hand sinks shall be kept and accessible and only used for washing hands.

Observed accumulation of mold/mildew-like substance on the inside of bulk ice machine; observed that there was large amounts of encrusted/build up of old food on the inside of the clean food storage containers. CA: Food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch.

Observed wet wiping cloths stored on the counter. COS. Wet wiping cloths placed into sanitizer solution. CA: Wet wiping cloths shall be stored in sanitizer solution at the proper concentration between uses.

Observed that the facility is washing/preparing produce in the dirty dish basin of the 3-compartment sink and preparing meat and produce at the same preparation sink. COS. Staff educated; sinks properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized. CA: Produce shall be properly washed in a sink designated for that purpose only.

Observed that ribs were stored in a container of undrained ice water; the ribs were wrapped in a clear trash-bag-like bag, the bag was open/not properly sealed, and the opening of the bag was in the ice water. COS. Removed. CA: Packaged food may not be stored in direct contact with ice or water if the food is subject to the entry of water because of the nature of its packaging, wrapping, or container or positioning in the ice or water.

Observed that the facility is storing the hot fudge for the ice creams in the same dipper well as the in-use utensils; hot fudge is exposed to the splash of the water from the storage of the in-use utensils in the water. COS. Removed. CA: Food shall be stored in a manner that prevents contamination and where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination.

Observed employees handling/preparing food while wearing jewelry, hair ties on wrist and watches. COS. Jewelry removed. CA: With the exception of a plain band ring, no jewelry shall be worn on the hands or wrists while working with food, to include medical information bracelets.

Observed small bowls and portioning cups being used as scoops and stored in the product. COS. Removed. CA: Scoops shall have handles and the handles shall be stored above the level of the product if stored in the product.

Observed that not all ambient thermometers are functioning properly in cold holding units. CA: Ambient air temperature, water pressure, and water temperature measuring devices shall be maintained in good repair and be accurate within the intended range of use.

Observed equipment with broken lids, drawers, and gaskets. CA: Equipment shall be maintained in a state of good repair.

Observed heavy accumulation of debris on and in equipment throughout the facility. CA: Equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned and cleaning frequency shall be enough to prevent accumulation of debris.

Observed accumulation of debris on floors, particularly under shelves and equipment. CA: Facility shall be thoroughly cleaned and cleaning frequency shall be enough to prevent accumulation of debris.

Observed employee belongings stored with and above food and food contact surfaces. COS. Moved. CA: Employee belongings and activities shall be in designated areas that prevent the contamination of food and food contact surfaces.

Observed employee on the line with gloves on who was on their phone, went to the walk-in, came back to the line, and started handling food. COS. Food was discarded and employee washed their hands. CA: Hands shall be washed prior to working with food and when contamination occurs.

Observed cold TCS food stored above 41 F (sour cream, compound butters, cheeses). COS. Items discarded. CA: TCS food that uses cold holding as a control for safety shall be held at 41 F or below.

Observed hot TCS food stored below 135 F (chili). COS. To be discarded. CA: TCS food that uses hot holding as a control for safety shall be held at 135 F or higher.

Observed that the facility was unable to provide verifiable means of showing employee health reporting acknowledgement for any of the 3 randomly selected employees. CA: Facility shall have verifiable means of showing employee health reporting requirement acknowledgement.

Observed employee drink in a styrofoam cup with no lid or straw stored over food contact surface and with clean containers; observed drinks stored in non-single-use cups in kitchen and at the bar. COS. Removed. CA: Employee drinks shall be in single-use containers with a lid and a straw and shall be handled to prevent contamination.

Observed employees handling/preparing food while wearing jewelry, bracelets and rings with stones. COS. Jewelry removed. CA: With the exception of a plain band ring, no jewelry shall be worn on the hands or wrists while working with food, to include medical information bracelets.

Observed employees with long nails that are working with food. COS. Employee washed hands and donned gloves. CA: Fingernails shall be kept short and trimmed while working with food unless gloves are worn.

Observed accumulation of debris on floors, particularly along covings and in the walk-in freezer. CA: Facility shall be thoroughly cleaned and cleaning frequency shall be enough to prevent accumulation of debris.

Observed in-use utensils were stored in standing, room temperature water. COS. Utensil warmer turned on. CA: In-use utensils shall be stored in hot (135 F) water, in running water, in the product with the handle above the level of the product, or on or in a clean surface or container.

Observed plates stored upright without overhead protection. CA: Plates shall be stored covered or inverted to protect from overhead contamination.

Observed accumulation of debris in equipment and on shelves; observed leak from piping in the walk-in that is causing ice to build up on shelves. CA: Equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned and cleaning frequency shall be enough to prevent accumulation of debris.

All food must be stored 6 inches off floor to protect from possible contamination. Food on floor in walk in freezer. Placed up on shelves while on site.

All food use items must be smooth/free from chips and cracks/easily cleanable. Chipped/cracked bins on clean dish shelves. Bins discarded while on site.

Additional cleaning is needed of he floor in the walk in freezer to remove cardboard and food debris.

Observed that the inspection was up front behind the waiting seat where it was not easily seen and was not in a conspicuous place. CA: Inspection report shall be within 15 feet of the primary entrance, 5-7 feet from the floor, readable from a distance of 1 foot away, and in a conspicuous place.

Observed wet nesting of containers. CA: Containers shall be thoroughly dried prior to stacking.

Observed single-use items stored on the floor. CA: Single-use items shall be stored at least 6 inches off of the floor.

Observed accumulation of debris on the floor of the walk-in freezer. CA: Facility shall be thoroughly cleaned and cleaning frequency shall be enough to prevent accumulation.

Observed the floors of the outdoor dry storage shed has a floor that is not properly sealed. CA: Floors shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and nonabsorbent.

Observed employee belongings stored with and above food and food contact surfaces. COS. Moved. CA: Employee belongings and activities shall be in designated areas that prevent the contamination of food and food contact surfaces.

Observed cold TCS food stored above 41 F (tomatoes, cheese, dairy-based sauces). COS. Items discarded. CA: TCS food that uses cold holding as a control for safety shall be held at 41 F or below.

Observed raw shrimp that was stored in direct contact with undrained ice. COS. Shrimp was placed into a perforated pan to drip. CA: Food shall not be stored in direct contact with undrained ice.

Observed employees handling/preparing food while wearing jewelry, bracelets and rings with stones. COS. Jewelry removed. CA: With the exception of a plain band ring, no jewelry shall be worn on the hands or wrists.

Observed wet wiping cloths stored on the counters and observed wet wiping cloths stored in sanitizer solution that was not at the appropriate concentration. COS. Wet wiping cloths placed into new sanitizer solution buckets. CA: Wet wiping cloths shall be stored in sanitizer solution between uses that is at the appropriate concentration.

Observed wet nesting of containers. CA: Containers shall be thoroughly dried prior to stacking.

Observed accumulation of debris on the floor of the walk-in freezer. CA: Facility shall be thoroughly cleaned and cleaning frequency shall be enough to prevent accumulation.

Observed employee belongings (phones) stored with and above food and food contact surfaces. COS. Moved. CA: Employee belongings and activities shall be in designated areas that prevent the contamination of food and food contact surfaces.

Observed employee drinks, both in and not in correct cups, stored with and above food and food contact surfaces. COS. Drinks removed. CA: Employee drinks shall be in single-use containers with a lid and a straw and shall be handled to prevent contamination.

Observed that two of the hand sinks in the mens bathroom were non-functional. CA: Hand sinks shall be installed to properly dispense hot and cold water.

Observed employees handling/preparing food while wearing jewelry. COS. Jewelry removed. CA: With the exception of a plain band ring, no jewelry shall be worn on the hands or wrists.

Observed employees handling/preparing food while having long and painted nails. COS. Employees washed hands and donned gloves. CA: Nails shall be kept short and free of paint or polish unless gloves are worn while handling food.

Observed wet wiping cloths stored on the counters. COS. Wet wiping cloths placed into sanitizer solution buckets. CA: Wet wiping cloths shall be stored in sanitizer solution between uses.

Observed in-use utensils were stored in standing, room temperature water. COS. Utensils removed. CA: In-use utensils shall be stored in hot (135 F) water, in running water, in the product with the handle above the level of the product, or on or in a clean surface or container.

Observed wet nesting of containers. CA: Containers shall be thoroughly dried prior to stacking.

Observed accumulation of debris on the floor of the walk-in freezer. CA: Facility shall be thoroughly cleaned and cleaning frequency shall be enough to prevent accumulation.