The Journal publishes local restaurant inspection reports provided monthly by the Montezuma County Health Department.

Unannounced inspections are conducted for restaurants, school, hospital and nursing home cafeterias, grocery stores, convenience stores, fairgrounds, resorts, food trucks and any event or facility where food is sold to the public.

Inspections of all retail food facilities are done at least once a year.

Melissa Mathews conducts about 145 retail food facility inspections every year for Montezuma and Dolores counties as the Health Department’s environmental health specialist.

New inspection regulations took effect Jan. 1 in Colorado.

Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations are based on a national standard for retail food sales and include several changes.

Every facility serving food to the public must have at least one certified food protection manager, who may educate other staff, Mathews said.

“Studies have shown that when there is a certified food protection manager at staff, foodborne illnesses go down,” Mathews said.

Courses typically take two days and include a test. Classes are available at 970-565-3056.

Restaurants and food facilities may use sturdy, noncommercial-grade equipment and use any size of hand-washing sink. Food may be prepared in the three-sink area previously restricted to dish washing.

Facilities must date stored foods and must control food temperature.

Customer containers may be used for to-go food, but after the container is washed properly by the facility.

Staff must wash hands between glove changes when beginning a different task. Hand-washing between glove changes while doing the same task is no longer required.

Food facilities must have procedures for cleaning up after vomiting and diarrheal events.

New violation categories are “Priority,” “Priority Foundation” and “Core.” “Critical” and “noncritical” categories are no longer used.

“Priority” and “Priority Foundation” are critical violations that might cause foodborne illness. “Core” violations are noncritical and carry less risk of foodborne illness.

Mathews said inspections now take longer because of the need to educate facility staff. Facilities are encouraged to keep a hard copy handy or bookmark it on a computer desktop.

Montezuma Mexican Restaurant18396 Highway 145, Dolores

date: Oct. 25

priority violations: 2

1. Food separated and protected category.

inspector comments: Observed raw meats being stored next to and above cooked/cooled foods in the refrigerated unit in the kitchen. Problem corrected during inspection.

2. Proper cooling time and temperature category.

inspector comments: Observed cooked/cooled meatballs at 50 degrees Fahrenheit and cooked/cooled vegetables at 56 degrees Fahrenheit. Both had been cooked the night before and not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 hours and then from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit in 4 additional hours. Problem corrected during inspection.

priority foundation violations: 2

1. Person in charge present demonstrates knowledge and performs duties.

inspector comments: The person in charge shall demonstrate knowledge by complying with the Food Code by have no violations of Priority items during the current inspection. Problem corrected during inspection.

2. Proper date marking and disposition.

inspector comments: Observed foods that are prepared and held for more than 24 hours not date-marked. Products are only in the facility for a maximum of 3 days. Problem corrected during inspection.

core violations: 1

1. Certified food protection manager category

inspector comments: Facility does not have a certified food protection manager.

Fiesta Mexicana430 Highway 145, Cortez

date: Oct. 25

priority violations: 0

priority foundation violations: 0

core violations: 0

Hunan Kitchen2561 E. Main St., Cortez

date: Oct. 8

priority violations: 0

Priority Foundation: 0

Core Violations: 1

1. Certified Food Protection Manager category.

inspector comments: Facility is currently not certified.

Burger King No. 9714520 W. Main St., Cortez

date: Oct. 22

priority violations: 0

priority Foundation Violations: 1

1. Food contact surfaces; cleaned and sanitized category

inspector Comments: Observed slime buildup on inside of ice machine where the ice is dispersed into the bin.

core violations: 2

1. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices.

inspector Comments: Observed faucet missing and leaking on the food preparation sink.

2. Adequate ventilation and lighting, designated areas used.

inspector comments: Rooms are to be kept free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, obnoxious odors, smoke and fumes, mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity shall be provided. Observed smoke lingering in the customer and food cooking area of the restaurant.

Blondie’s Trophy Room45 E. Main St., Cortez

date: Oct. 21

priority violations: 0

priority foundation violations: 0

core violations: 0

Kemper Elementary School620 E Montezuma Ave., Cortez

date: Oct. 7

priority violations: 0

priority foundation violations: 0

core violations: 0

Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant332 W. Main St., Cortez

date: Oct. 4

priority violations: 1

1. Hands cleaned and properly washed category.

inspector comments: Employee observed only rinsing hands after handling raw meat. Problem corrected during inspection.

priority foundation violations: 2

1. Person in charge present demonstrates knowledge and performs duties

inspector comments: The person in charge shall demonstrate knowledge by complying with this code by having no violations of Priority Items during the current inspection.

2. Insects, rodents, and animals not present category.

inspector comments: Facility has an abundance of flies in the facility.

core violations: 3

1. Certified food protection manager.

inspector comments: Facility is not currently certified.

2. Non-food contact surfaces clean.

inspector comments: Non-food contact surface of the outside and inside of the unit has food spills and food debris. Cart storing dried spices and sauces has food debris. Floors under equipment and in cooking area and inside walk-in all have food debris and grease buildup.

3. Garbage and refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained category.

inspector comments: Soiled receptacles and waste handling units for trash/refuse shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent them from developing a build-up of soil or becoming attractants for insects and rodents. Observed cooking oil on the outside of the dumpster and on ground. Dumpsters were attracting flies.

Taste of India1013 E. Main St., Cortez

date: Oct. 4

priority violations: 0

priority foundation violations: 0

core violations: 0