This feature on Northborough Patch lists the latest health inspections conducted by the town's Health Agent Jamie Terry. Inspections are conducted regularly, and are unannounced visits.
It is important to note that Terry has often stressed that it is very rare for an establishment to always receive a perfect inspection score.
Patch is able to obtain the inspection information only after it is shared with the Board of Health, after which we share the latest with our readers.
In early November—Nov. 7 to be exact—Terry visited the Goddard School, which had no critical violations on its report. The good inspection noted a refrigerator at 36 degrees.
Corporate Chefs, which serves businesses at 55 Bearfoot Rd. (including National Grid), received violations in two categories during an inspection on Dec. 28. These included a cold holding bar that sat at 49.2 degrees (it should be 41 degrees or lower), milk and cream that wasn't cold enough, raw meat stored below cooked foods, and a dish machine needing fixing. Otherwise, Terry noted that that "establishment was very clean and well kept,""employees wore hats and gloves" and that the vegetable refrigerator and sandwich unit were very fresh and clean.
Honey Farms at 5 West Main St., on Dec. 28, received a "good" inspection, with two critical violations: a "few expired sandwiches" and an expired bottle of Bayer aspirin.
Also on Dec. 28, Helen's Variety incurred an impromptu visit from Terry, who found an expired bottle of Reddi Wip, which was removed upon inspection. There were no other issues.
And also on Dec. 28, Terry visited another Honey Farms (369 West Main St.), and encountered critical violations (at least four) that included expired hot dogs, Starbucks Frappuccino, cereal, mayonnaise and Doritos. All of these items were removed during the inspection. Positive notes included the proper storage of cheese, and clean and closed dumpsters.
Dick's Sporting Goods got nary a violation at all during Terry's visit on Dec. 28.
Down at Skribbles Learning Center, 172 Otis St., Terry found no criticals. The refrigerator, she noted, was set at the proper temperature with "well-dated foods." One minor violation included an expired bottle of Italian dressing, and sanitizer that was too strong.
The Beaumont Nursing Home, on Dec. 31, got a nearly glowing inspection. The bacon was hot enough. Sausage, too. All the employees wore hats or hairnets, and gloves. The walk-in freezer maintained the right coldness. Raw food was stored properly. Two minor violations that Terry noted were needing to clean the floor drain near the pasta pot, and dusting the fan guards above the grill.
There were no critical violations during a visit on Dec. 31 at the Northborough Senior Center. The center, which is "extremely clean and well-kept," had a good inspection that included proper refrigeration and sanitizer, gloves in use and a clean ice machine.
Also ending out the year, Terry inspected Nicky D Donuts, where she noted no critical violations. This "good to great inspection," included an employee who passed a ServSafe class. Also it was noted that the soda, coffee and milk cooler was at the proper temperature and items were well-dated. Other notes: "The hot chocolate machine needed a cleaning" and "allergen notices are needed on the menu."
Not ready to go home and celebrate New Year's Eve just yet, Terry hit Northborough Center Mobil, which got two critical marks on its inspection. Terry found expired cream, beef jerky, nuts, power bars, and Fluff. These were removed. The dumpster, however, was clean and closed and the milk and cream was chilled properly.
A visit to Walmart to start off the year, on Jan. 9, did not yield a sparkling report. Among the critical violations were a host of expired items: Slim Jims, trail mix, muffins, turkey bites, Big Dippers, Golden Puffs cereal and an entire case of collard greens. Terry spoke with a manager, who indicated that Walmart's transition into a Super Walmart had created some obstacles. "However," wrote Terry, "there were far too many expired items found. They must be diligent about checking dates."
Also on Jan. 9, Cap'N Juds Fish Market received a good inspection, but Terry did note one critical violation: an expired product was removed. Other minor violations included not all food prep employees wearing hats or hairnets. Otherwise, it was good marks down the row, including proper refrigeration and food storage.