This new feature on Northborough Patch will highlight some of the recent health inspections conducted by the town's Health Agent Jamie Terry. Inspections are conducted regularly, and are unannounced visits.
Walmart on Otis Street, which is in the process of converting to a Super Walmart, didn't fare exceptionally well in an inspection last week. The store had to remove some expired items, and was cited for numerous fruit flies found on some of the fruits and vegetables.
"I picked up a bag of plums and they just fell out, and a peach I picked up was pouring liquid," said Terry.
Terry said she gave Walmart a "couple of days to mitigate the problem, and if it did not, a cease and desist on selling fruits and vegetables would be issued."
The produce, she said, is stored in cardboard boxes presently while the store goes through its conversion. When Walmart becomes a Super Walmart, the produce will be refrigerated and supplies will be purchased from a new vendor.
"I've been there a couple of times and noted fruit flies every time," said Terry. "The are not being removed when they are past their prime, and they are breeding, in my opinion."
The "soft items" included cantaloupes, mangos, peaches, plums and onions.
"The manager is not giving me a hard time," she added, "and agreed to remove the items."
Subway Restaurant received an "awesome inspection ... really really awesome," according to Terry. The sandwich shop, which Terry visited unannounced last week, had all of its products properly stored, the workers wore hats and gloves, the appopriate cleaning utensils were used and the refrigerator was at the appropriate setting.
Likewise, Teamworks received a "great" review, as did the Juniper Farms ice cream truck and Berberian Farms. Cap 'n' Jud's Fish Market, Terry said, was "OK."
All of the public schools received an inspection before closing, and all of them were "good," said Terry, except for the Peaslee School, which had a "couple of things to work on." The Peaslee School received three critical violations.
The Honey Farms at 369 Main St. had a "decent amount of expired food" upon its recent unannounced inspection.
"I told him next time if he didn't maintain this, he's coming in to see you guys [the Board of Health]," said Terry. Expired items included yogurt, bologna, peanut butter bars, sunflower seeds and Alka Seltzer.
"The other Honey Farms in town did not have the same problem," said Terry.
Lastly, Main Street Tanning had an "amazing inspection."
"There are so clean, it is amazing," said Terry. "They should run a food establishment; you could eat in there."