By: Don Shaw email: don.shaw@pennsylvaniachronicle.com (570) 543-2961

John’s Italian in Greentown fumbles 2nd inspection this year, 6th since May 2018; 9 violations

John’s Italian in Greentown fumbles 2nd inspection this year, 6th since May 2018; 9 violations

Greentown, PA

John’s Italian Restaurant

1425 Lake Wallenpaupack Rd
GREENTOWN, PA 18426
570-676-9830

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services conducted an unannounced retail food inspection on 4/6/2020. As a result of that inspection, and due to the severity of the specific violations John’s Italian Restaurant was cited as being, “Out of Compliance” with Pennsylvania’s food safety regulations. During this inspection a total of 9 violations were found.

This latest inspection is the second, “Out of Compliance” inspection this year and the sixth since May 2018:

Most Recent Inspection Inspection Type In Compliance    
02/27/2020 Complaint In Violation(s) 2
01/23/2020 Follow-up In  
01/15/2020 Complaint Out Violation(s) 7
12/17/2019 Regular In Violation(s) 2
09/18/2019 Follow-up In Violation(s) 1
09/11/2019 Regular In Violation(s) 6
06/13/2019 Follow-up In  
06/07/2019 Regular Out Violation(s) 12
03/19/2019 Follow-up In  
03/11/2019 Regular Out Violation(s) 12
12/11/2018 Regular In Violation(s) 4
09/12/2018 Type 2 Follow-up In Violation(s) 1
09/05/2018 Follow-up Out Violation(s) 7
08/30/2018 Regular Out Violation(s) 14
05/24/2018 Follow-up In Violation(s) 2
05/15/2018 Regular Out Violation(s) 16

 

The inspector made the following comments in support of the violations found during the inspection:

  • The Person in Charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection.
  • Food employee observed on the breakfast cook line, not wearing a proper hair restraint, such as a net or hat.
  • Food stored on plates or in trays uncovered and stacked in the pizza baine marie. The owner discarded the food on the plates and trays.
  • Reusing previously used clam shells for food service. The clam shells were discarded by the owner.
  • Grease and old food residue on trays in the pizza area. The trays were removed for cleaning. Old food residue on knives in the scabbard between the prep tables in the back area. The knives were removed for cleaning.
  • Anchovies 51*f in the salad/sandwich baine marie on the shelf on the right side of the baine marie. Ambient temperature is 47*f. The anchovies were discarded by the owner. Garlic in oil 47*f in the baine marie at the end of the lunch/dinner cook line. The garlic in oil was discarded by the owner. Shall maintain cold food at 41*f or below.
  • Some refrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the refrigerators and walk-in cooler, is not being date marked
  • Two food thermometers on the shelf above the steamtable read 40*f and 50*f. Inspector’s thermometer read 76*f. The owner calibrated and adjusted the thermometers.
  • Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in the baine marie and Whirlpool refrigerator in the pizza area. The owner is purchasing thermometers today.

John’s Italian Restaurant in Greentown fails inspection; 20-30 Insect carcasses, live insects, old soiled towels, bags, clothes creating insect harborage