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.
The following is a list of the latest inspections, listed in chronological order (except where a follow-up inspection was warranted).
Inspections on Jan. 28 included Honey Dip Donuts, which had one "critical" mark," which was that the hand sink did not have adequate hot water and that a plumber was needed to address this immediately. (The hand sink problem has since been corrected and reinspected). Tilz Diner received a good inspection, also on Jan. 28, with one critical violation: raw fish was stored above cooked food. Otherwise, "very good" comments included that the "establishment is very clean," the ice machine is clean and sanitized, the meatloaf is at the proper temperature, the barrels of grease are covered, allergen notice and certificate in compliance, soups are at the proper temperature and milk is at the proper temperature.
The Northborough Senior Center's Meals on Wheels program received zero violations on Jan. 28. The inspection was "great," with gloves in use, proper sanitizer solutions and proper temperatures.
Yowza Yogurt Paradise needs to add some screens behind the AC/cooling units, noted Terry during an inspection on Jan. 28. That accounted for one critical violation of two; the other was some expired healthy blend granola. Other notes included that employees wore hats and gloves, the establishment is "very clean," the dumpster was clean and closed. Terry also noted that free toppings should only be offered if in a covered container or if there is a sneeze guard.
Teamworks received three critical violations during a Jan. 28 inspection, which included needing to clean the hood systems, a leaking sink at the bar, and rags not kept in sanitizing solution. "The establishment needs a thorough cleaning," noted Terry. Positive notes included a cooler at the right temperature, test strips were available and items were covered and well-dated.
China Moon warranted a follow-up inspection as well as a public hearing at the Board of Health meeting because of a poor inspection that included 11 critical violations on Jan. 29. Terry noted violations during the inspection such as rags not stored in sanitizer solution, boneless spare ribs, chicken fingers and General Gao's chicken left out at room temperature, broccoli not stored in the refrigerator and contained hair in it, unwrapped food and hood screens that were dirty.
Following up on Feb. 11, China Moon encountered five critical violations during the visit. Among the violations were inadequate sanitizer solution, raw chicken stored in a pan over cooked chicken, rags not in sanitizer solution and rice that was cooked and transferred into a pan that was not hot enough. Terry noted that "improvement was shown but more was needed. The floor was very much improved and the employees wore gloves and hats."
At a public hearing later in the month, Board of Health members told China Moon that the practice was "unacceptable and they won't continue to put up with it," said Terry. The board ordered China Moon to hire a consultant to train its staff by the end of February.
Also on Jan. 29, Terry inspected AJ Tomaiolo Restaurant, where two critical violations were noted: raw foods stored above cooked foods and staff who touched ready-to-eat foods without gloves. Terry noted that the rest of the inspection was otherwise good, with appropriate sanitizer strength, refrigerators at the proper temperature, items well-labeled and the "ice machine clean and well-kept."
Some sponges needed to be removed immediately during an inspection of Festive Breads on Jan. 29, and it was noted that employees needed to take a ServSafe course. The employees had already begun studying and would take it within 30 days. The inspection was otherwise good, with comments that included closed and clean dumpsters, foods stored properly, clean bathrooms and a clean and well-kept establishment.
Zem Han was under the gun on Jan. 29 with an inspection that yielded nine critical violations, including a hand sink with no paper towels, raw foods stored improperly, potato box sitting in water, raw meat taken out of the freezer to thaw at room temperature for 20 hours, dishes not washed in sanitized sink, and "a gentleman was seen washing a knife in a food prep sink."
A follow-up inspection on Feb. 11 of Zem Han showed much improvement, with only one critical violation: a Febreeze container was being used as a sanitizer container. Terry noted that the establishment had done a "great job enstating new procedures to assure appropriate cooling." At a public hearing before the Board of Health on Feb. 12, the board was impressed with its plan of action and asked Terry to reinspect the restaurant in three months.
The Northborough House of Pizza had a "very good inspection" on Jan. 29 with no critical violations. The slicer was very clean, all items well covered, the sandwich unit well kept, meat cooler at the proper temperature, hats and gloves worn by employees, allergen notices on the menu, a clean basement and a clean dumpster. Terry noted that this "establishment is extremely clean."
The Northborough Food Pantry received no violations during an inspection on Jan. 30. "Everything was stocked and stored properly."
Two critical violations were found during an inspection of the Texas BBQ Company on Jan. 31. Terry noted that chili was cooled at room temperature and raw products were stored above the cooked products (mini burgers and lamb chops). Otherwise this "good" inspection included warming units at the proper temperature, products labeled and dated, scoops stored properly, raw food stored properly, clean restrooms and establishment "very clean and well-maintained."
In-And-Out Convenience on Belmont Street received one critical mark on Feb. 4, which was a package of expired Slim Jims. And otherwise good inspection included a note that read "Much improved from the last inspection—good job!"
Also on Feb. 4, Terry visited Armeno Coffee Roasters, which had no violations, nor did Country Liquors. East Coast Golf, on the same day, earned a critical mark by having a few packages of expired fruit snacks on its shelves. The packs were removed.
Bacon's Wine and Spirits received zero critical violations during an inspection on Feb. 11.
Monti's Pizza got one critical violation during an inspection on Feb. 12, which was it had raw chicken stored above cooked foods. Otherwise, the inspection was "good," with well-dated pizza, units at the proper temperatures, sauces and soups at the proper temperatures and the "establishment is very clean and well-kept."
Lalajava Coffeehouse pulled off a sparkling inspection on Feb. 12, with Terry noting, "Great inspection! Impressive! Keep it up!" The "great" marks included milk and cream at the proper temperatures, a mop hanging up to dry, the dumpster clean and closed, restrooms clean with soap and paper towels and covered trash, a clean slicer, and a sandwich unit at the proper temperature.
A few expired items were removed during an inspection of Northborough Gas and Market (Gulf) on Feb. 12, which garnered one critical violation.
Terry noted one critical violation during an inspection of the Peaslee School on Feb. 12, which was that the Ecolab needed to adjust a premixer and test strips were available. Good marks included all foods at the proper temperature, employees wearing gloves and hats, a very clean dry storage room and a well-organized walk-in cooler.
There were 10 or more dead cockroaches found in a back room during an inspection of the White Hen Pantry on Feb. 12, earning the establishment two critical violations (the other was expired pretzels). White Hen noted that a company was to sent over a report that the cockroach activity stemmed from an infestation that occurred during previous ownership. "Either way, the back room needs to be cleaned and stuff needs to be removed," noted Terry.
