Hot, Cold Hold Temperature Violations Found At 2 Rockville Schools

ROCKVILLE, MD —Inspectors with the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Department recently cited two Rockville schools for critical violations of the health code for their food preparation and serving facilities. Violations, both critical and non-critical, included failing to keep food at the required temperatures.

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.

"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."

Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

Although no food preparation occurs onsite at the Charles E. Smith Jewish School, it is still subject to periodic inspections by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

The school, located at 11710 Hunter Lanes in Rockville, receives food from a licensed facility. Hot food is kept in a warmer and cold food is stored in the walk-in. Perishable foods are required to be kept at their required temperatures to avoid becoming spoiled and to prevent them from becoming dangerous to consume.

On Dec. 6, an HHS inspector observed diced tomato and cut romaine not being kept properly cooled, which was a critical violation that the staff immediately addressed.

While no other critical violations at the school were noted, the inspector reported several violations of good retail practice that needed to be corrected within 30 days. The violations and recommended corrective actions included:

• "There was no food thermometer to check food temperature. NOTE: Provide as required.
• "No test strips observed on site to check the concentration of sanitizer solution. NOTE: Provide as required.
• No food allergen awareness trained personnel on site at the time of the inspection. NOTE: Obtain allergen training certificate. NOTE: Compliance is required per Montgomery County Bill No. 33-16 and COMCOR Chapter 15(15B)."

At the time of the inspection, the school also did not have a certified food safety manager on duty with a CFSM card. Justin Perelman, the manager, did have a training certificate, but he did not get the county card. He was required to obtain a card within one week.

Thomas Wootton High School

During a Dec. 6 inspection of Thomas Wootton High School at 2100 Wootton Parkway, an HHS inspector observed one critical violation concerning the facility's hot-holding temperature.

Diced sweet potatoes were being kept below the required temperature of 135F. After being notified of this, kitchen staff pulled the items to be reheated.

The inspection report listed the following violations of best retail practices and their corrective actions:

• "In the walk-in freezer, at the entry, floor tiles are missing. Replace.
• "I ceiling light is out. Replace."

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