Waffle House #2284

Observed Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods being held above 41F: Diced ham (50F), American cheese (48F), inside the prep top cooler. The food containers were filled to the top. All cold holding TCS foods shall be at 41F or below. All TCS foods must be held at 41 F or below. Don't overfill the food containers.

Observed a pink buildup on the baffle wall inside the ice machine. In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending equipment shall be cleaned absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. Empty the ice machine, wash, rinse, and sanitize the baffle wall.

Observed an employee cooking while wearing bracelets. Except for a plain ring such as a wedding band food employees may not wear jewelry including medical information jewelry on their arms and hands while preparing food. Remove bracelets.

Observed a sleeve of metal food containers on the drying rack above the 3 compartment sink stacked while still wet. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air-dried or used after adequate draining before contact with food. COS: PIC removed the containers to be re-washed, re-rinsed, & re-sanitized.

Observed several time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods being held above 41F in the prep top cooler. The ambient air temp of the unit was 40F. All cold holding TCS foods shall be at 41F or below. All TCS foods must be held at 41 F or below.

Observed date marking stickers on several clean food containers on the storage rack above the 3 compartment sink. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be cleaned:at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold.

Observed a half gallon of half and half inside the walk in cooler with an expiration date of March 8, 2026. Prepackaged sandwiches, eggs, infant formula, shucked oysters, milk, and time/temperature control safety foods that are labeled as “keep refrigerated” and that are for sale or service to the consumer or used as an ingredient in other foods shall be immediately discarded and shall not be sold, served, or used after the manufacturer’s expiration date or the sell-by date. Milk discarded.

Observed the dumpster lid open with trash being stored inside. Receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables shall be kept covered With tight-fitting lids or doors if kept outside the food service establishment. Close the lid of the dumpster.

Observed raw chicken breast being stored next to raw pork chops on the same shelf inside the reach-in cooler next to the grill. Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: Separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display. Corrected on Site (COS): PIC relocated the raw chicken to an appropriate area inside the reach-in cooler.

Observed several containers of chili, gravy, and waffle batter without date marking inside the reach in cooler in the main kitchen area. Observed containers of waffle batter without date marking inside the walk-in cooler. PIC states the food items were prepared last night. Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method, and except as specified in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this subsection, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. COS: PIC placed proper date marking on all food items.

Observed a heavy buildup on the outside of the grease receptacle. Soiled oiled receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent them from developing a buildup of soil or becoming attractants for insects and rodents. Clean grease receptacle.

Observed boxes of single-use cups being stored directly on the floor in the dry storage area. Single-use articles shall be stored at least 6 inches (15 centimeters) above the floor. COS: PIC removed the boxes of single use cups and placed them in an appropriate area at least 6 inches off the floor.

Observed a heavy buildup on the outside of the grease receptacle. Soiled oiled receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent them from developing a buildup of soil or becoming attractants for insects and rodents. Clean grease receptacle.

Observed the lid of the grease receptacle open. Receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables shall be kept covered With tight-fitting lids or doors if kept outside the food service establishment. Corrected on Site (COS): Person in charge (PIC) closed the lid of the grease receptacle.

Observed several time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods being held above 41F in the prep top cooler and the reach in unit beneath. Person in charge (PIC) states that she can see ice close to the fan beneath. External thermometer is reading in 28F. The air blowing out of the fan was 53F. All cold holding TCS foods shall be at 41F or below. PIC added ice to the prep top and removed items from the bottom reach in and put them in another unit. Maintenance has been notified. An informal visit will be had within 3 business days to check on status of the unit.

Observed raw shelled eggs (57F) inside of a egg basket above the cookline with a time of 5 a.m-9 a.m., however the eggs were still being used at 10:05 a.m. If time without temperature control is used as the public health control up to a maximum of 4 hours: The food shall be cooked and served, served at any temperature if ready-to-eat, or discarded, within 4 hours from the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control. Employee discarded the eggs.

Observed a gallon of whole milk inside the reach-in cooler and several gallons inside the walk-in cooler with an expiration date of April 14, 2024. Prepackaged sandwiches, eggs, infant formula, shucked oysters, milk, and time/temperature control safety foods that are labeled as “keep refrigerated” and that are for sale or service to the consumer or used as an ingredient in other foods shall be immediately discarded and shall not be sold, served, or used after the manufacturer’s expiration date or the sell-by date. Corrected on Site (COS): Milk discarded.

Observed heavy buildup on the outside of the grease receptacle. Soiled receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent them from developing a buildup of soil or becoming attractants for insects and rodents. Clean grease receptacle.

Observed some garbage items stored on the ground around the dumpster and observed grease on the dumpster pad in the garbage area. Garbage items and grease are not allowed on the ground around the dumpster and grease receptacle. Please place the garbage items inside the dumpster and recommend power washing the dumpster pad to remove the grease on the ground.

Observed no paper towels at the back handsink. Hand drying provisions shall be supplied at all times with disposable paper towels/ napkins or a hand drying machine. Person in charge (PIC) has restocked the paper towel dispenser.

Observed a bucket full of water being stored inside of the handsink in the dishwashing area and another employee using that same sink to wring out a wet cloth. A handwashing facility may not be used for purposes other than handwashing. Educate employees on handsink usage procedures.

Observed a container of waffle batter in use with a discard date of yesterday 6/11/23. Ready-to-eat and time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods shall be discarded after it exceeds the 7 days of the date marking. Person in charge discarded container of waffle batter.