Food truck issued red ‘closed’ placard for roach infestation | News, Sports, Jobs
The Maui News
Thai Mee Up Kula 2 received a red “Locked” poster by the Hawaii Department of Health Maui Food Safety Branch due to a cockroach infestation.
During a routine inspection last week, the DOH inspector observed about 25 jaws in various stages of life throughout the food truck, including on a shelf above the service window, under grill pans, in a go-to-eat food container, and on the floor.
Thai Mee Up Kula 2 is operated by Maui Mobile Food Court LLC and sold at 28 Kiopaa Place in Makawao.
The food establishment received the red poster on Dec. 22 and must remain closed until all violations are resolved and the health department allows the mobile unit to reopen to the public, DOH said.
Additional critical violations noted at the inspection included numerous misses on wipes on a shelf above the service window; an accumulation of grease and food debris throughout the truck, which serves as a food source for cockroaches; the mobile entrance door was observed to be left open at the time of inspection without a screen or other means in place to prevent the entry of flies and other pests; and a lack of proper temperature control in a prep cooler, which was corrected on site by moving the potentially hazardous food to another unit at proper temperature.
The health department requires the food establishment to take corrective action before they will be allowed to reopen, such as conducting professional pest control treatment to eradicate the pests; providing pest service invoices to the district inspector; deep cleaning to eliminate all potential pest food sources; and screening at the door opening to reduce pest entry when the door is left open.
A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Thursday.
The Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawaii residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared, manufactured, distributed or sold.
The branch also investigates sources of foodborne illness and potential adulteration. It is also responsible for mitigating the consequences of these incidents to prevent any future incidents.
Go to http://hi.healthinspections.us/hawaii/ to view restaurant inspection reports.
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