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ELKADER, Iowa — Several Iowa restaurants and stores have been cited for hundreds of food-safety violations in recent weeks, including a Clayton County eatery cited for long-expired juice and milk, moldy cheese and an ice dispenser with green slime growing in it. "Employees on site could not answer basic questions regarding food establishment operations," a state inspector reported during a visit to the Fast Trak restaurant and convenience store in Elkader. "Many live and dead flies and gnats were observed in lobby, kitchen, back prep area and ware-washing areas. Hanging, sticky fly traps heavily loaded with dead flies were observed throughout the establishment." The findings are among those reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level. The state inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a "snapshot" in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment. For a more complete list of all inspections, along with additional details on each of the inspections listed below, visit the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing website. Fast Trak, 24687 Highway 13, Elkader Since mid-May, this establishment has been inspected three times and in each instance was cited for several major violations. On May 17, a state inspector concluded the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number of risk-factor violations. The inspector noted that the open-air reach-in coolers where house-made sandwiches, desserts and commercially packaged meats and cheeses were displayed was keeping food at 47 degrees, which was too warm to ensure safety. All of the house-made, temperature-controlled food items were then discarded. The inspector also found several containers of milk dated April 3, 2024 – six weeks prior to the inspection – in a cooler, and juice that was dated Aug. 6, 2023. "Coke machine ice dispenser chute in lobby has green, slimy material growing in it," the inspector reported. "Front microwave, fryer, ice cream machine, hot-holding cabinets, and lobby soda and coffee/cocoa dispensers are soiled with grease and food residue." The inspector also noted that there were several large, open-air coolers that appeared to be inoperable. The inspector returned on June 12, and again noted that the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number of risk-factor violations that were found. A container of shredded cheese, a block of white cheese, a block of cheddar cheese and a container of black olives were each "adulterated with a mold-like substance," the inspector reported, adding that one of the tree-tiered, open-air display coolers was storing meat and cheese at 44 to 46 degrees, which was too warm to ensure safety. The inspector also reported finding expired mashed potatoes, cheese and olives. "Coke machine ice dispenser chute in lobby has green, slimy material growing in it," the inspector reported for the second time. In addition, several areas and pieces of equipment, including a utensil drawer, shake mixer, cappuccino machine and soda machine were soiled with food and beverage debris. On July 19, the inspector returned and reported that "employees on site could not answer basic questions regarding food establishment operations." Again, the inspector concluded the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties, as evidenced by the number of risk-factor violations that were found. A zucchini, a bulk package of raw bacon, two large containers of potato gravy, and a block of cheddar cheese that was dated April 12, 2023 – a full year before the inspection – were each "adulterated with mold-like substances." Also, house-made, packaged desserts such as cakes, cheesecakes and cookies had no date markings at all, and the inspector found expired potato salad, Mexican street corn, pasta salad, cream cheese filling and whole milk. "Coke machine ice dispenser chute in lobby has green, slimy material growing in it," the inspector reported for the third time. "Many live and dead flies and gnats were observed in lobby, kitchen, back prep area and ware-washing areas. Hanging, sticky fly traps heavily loaded with dead flies were observed throughout the establishment." Dead insects were also found in the three-tiered, open-air display cooler, and uncovered, exposed foods — including hamburger patties, chicken patties and fryer foods – were found inside one freezer. While the inspection was underway, two customers complained about the lack of toilet tissue in the bathroom, but the staff failed to address the issue until the inspector intervened. The trash bins were surrounded by garbage and the lids were not closed, which was attracting "many insects," the inspector reported. "Lobby and back storage areas have heavy accumulation of litter, empty cardboard boxes, broken and unused equipment, a lawn mower, tools, fans, and other maintenance equipment." Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.

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Mold and Slime: Northeast Iowa Stop Cited for Major Food Health Risks