Old food, no hot water at a sink and raw seafood and meats kept at unsafe temperatures are among violations Kansas Department of Agriculture inspectors discovered during recent local food safety inspections in the Wichita area.
Each week, The Eagle adds to its searchable database of failed inspections from Sedgwick County. Two Wichita-area restaurants were non-compliant from Dec. 22-28.
Inspectors found few or no violations at more than 20 others deemed compliant with food safety and lodging rules.
Inspections are meant to protect the public from foodborne illnesses and other health risks. Violations are common.
Businesses can fail an inspection if they have too many problems, certain types of violations or issues that can’t be fixed right away. Most of the time, they correct issues in front of an inspector. Examples of things that can be addressed immediately are serving food that’s more than a week old, employees mishandling food and dirty kitchens.
But sometimes issues take days or weeks to correct, like pest infestations, power outages and plumbing problems. It’s rare, but a business may temporarily shut down over violations.
Places that fail are usually reinspected within 10 days.
The list in this story was compiled on Dec. 31 using information available from the state on that date. The list only contains places located in Sedgwick County. You can search food and lodging inspection results elsewhere in Kansas at https://foodsafety.kda.ks.gov/FoodSafety/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx.
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Out-of-compliance inspections
Pokemoto, 1028 W. Pawnee in Wichita — Two violations on Dec. 26 during a routine inspection. Violations include cooked chicken not being kept cold enough in refrigeration, no hot water at bathroom sink. Next inspection: Jan. 6.
Vora Restaurant European, 3252 E. Douglas, Suite 106 in Wichita — Three violations on Dec. 26 during a routine inspection. Violations include using herb butter that was too old, pan of fillets thawing in a sink dedicated for hand-washing, $300 worth of food including raw mussels and scallops weren’t cold enough and had to be thrown away due to malfunctioning refrigerated preparation tables. Next inspection: Jan. 5.
See a problem? Here’s where to complain
If you see problems at a food or lodging establishment, you can file a complaint.
To notify the state about unsavory or questionable conditions anywhere that serves or sells food to the public, email kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767. You can also file a complaint at www.foodsafetykansas.org.
To report an illness you think was caused by a restaurant, food or event where food was served, contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 877-427-7317 or www.foodsafetykansas.org.
Complaints about conditions at hotels and motels can be submitted at www.agriculture.ks.gov/public-resources/comments-complaints/lodging-complaint.
For more information about foodborne illnesses, visit www.foodsafety.gov.
Note: Sometimes addresses listed — especially for mobile vendors and food trucks — are not where food is actually served to the public. Contact those establishments directly for specific service locations.
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