Dead Crab, Algae, Mold Reported At Rockville Food Service Facility

ROCKVILLE, MD — An inspector with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services reported 45 violations, three of which were critical, at a food service facility in Rockville on Sept. 14.

On the same day, an HHS inspector found a Rockville ice cream shop out of compliance with the county health requirements in one area.

All Montgomery County licensed retail food establishments are inspected by the Licensure & Regulatory Services Program. Regular comprehensive inspections include evaluating an establishment's sanitation, maintenance and food service operations. These inspections include monitoring critical temperatures and food handling procedures.

Both of the restaurants that inspectors visited on Sept. 11 were cited for critical violations of food safety requirements.

"A Critical Violation means a food safety requirement that requires immediate correction," according to the health and human services website. "Failure for immediate correction results in cessation of some or all food operations or closure of the facility until violation is able to be corrected."

New York Mart

A Montgomery County Health and Human Services inspector visited the New York Mart located at 15108 Frederick Road in Rockvilleon Sept. 14. The visit was in response to two complaints filed about the food establishment.

The person who filed the first complaint reported that the New York Mart had dead fish and that the restrooms were dirty. The second complaint concerned a report of seeing moldy ceilings within the facility.

"Upon inspection the facility was observed to not have any dead fish at time of inspection but was observed to have dead shrimp in tank at time of inspection," the report said. "Additionally facility was observed to be selling dead crabs that were not harvested on site. Product was discarded at time of inspection. Facility restrooms observed dirty at time of inspection but significantly cleaner than images provided in complaint. Facility will clean as needed. Facility was observed to have moldy ceiling tiles at seafood and meat departments due to incorrect ceiling tiles being installed and a water leak. Facility is required to replace provided tiles with clean and correct tiles."

New York Mart was found to be out of compliance in three areas: it failed to keep food protected from "adulteration, spoilage, and contamination;" and both the cold holding temperature and hot holding temperature were incorrect for food storage. All three needed to be addressed in order to bring them back into compliance.

Though not all critical violations, the inspector reported 45 violations that the food facility needed to correct. These including using incorrect ceiling tiles at the seafood and meat area and algae growing on water pipes in the seafood department.

New York Mart took corrective actions on five of the 45 violations in the report:

• "Bean leaves observed stored out of refrigeration at time of inspection. Bean leaves are a cut leafy green requiring refrigeration during holding. Produce discarded on site at time of inspection.
• "Facility observed selling expired fruit for a discount at time of inspection. Facility may sell product that will soon expire at a reduced cost but facility may not sell expired food product. Discarded on site at time of inspection.
• "Dead shrimp observed in tank with live shrimp at time of inspection. Product removed and discarded on site at time of inspection.
• "Dead crab observed for sale in seafood department at time of inspection. Crab was not harvested but died in tank. Facility is not approved to sell product that died in tank without being harvested. Product was discarded at time of inspection.
• "Tofu and vegetables observed hot held at less than 135 degrees F at time of inspection. Product observed hot held for about 1 hour and reheated to 165 degrees F prior to resuming hot holding."

Marble Slab Creamery

Also on Sept. 14, an HHS inspector visited the Marble Slab Creamery located at 100 Gibbs St. in Rockville. The inspector reported finding one critical violation, which concerned food being separated and protected from contamination, adulteration, or spoilage.

"Unwrapped waffle cones on display observed stacked right-side up without any overhead protection at front counter," the inspection report said, adding that it was a repeat violation. The cones were moved to the back counter with an overhead cover to correct the violation.

The inspector noted two other repeat violations in their report:

• "Left-hand door of refrigerated SPU Prep unit is broken and completely unattached to unit; observed off its hinges and propped up by a soiled cup placed underneath it. Provide necessary repairs or replace unit entirely.
• "A $500 fine may be issued for continued non-compliance. At least one employee is required to have completed an approved Allergen-training course; and must be on the premises at all times while food is prepared or served."

The inspector noted four other non-critical violations that the Marble Slab Creamery needed to address:

• "Carpigiani Ice Cream Display Cooler at front is not operational; waiting on parts to repair, per operator. If unit cannot be repaired, equipment will be replaced with 2 smaller display units observed on site. *No food items were stored in this unit at time of inspection.*
• "Ice cream spillage observed on the interior surfaces and bottom of upright freezer; heavily soiled. Clean thoroughly, as frequently as needed.
• "Single-use cups stacked in a dispenser system with soiled surfaces observed (at prep area). Clean and sanitize all surfaces frequently and/or when exposed to spillage/splash. Discard items that may have been potentially contaminated (dairy/ice cream spillage).
• "Ceiling tiles in lobby observed with water damage and mold (which originated from upstairs resident unit per operator, landlord is aware). Ceiling tile missing in restroom also. Repair or replace ACT tiles, as discussed."

Related:

Mold, Droppings Found At 2 Rockville Food Establishments: Violations