25 RI Supermarkets with the Highest Number of Health Violations
GoLocalProv News Team
25 RI Supermarkets with the Highest Number of Health Violations
SLIDES: See the 25 Rhode Island supermarkets with the most violations BELOW
“Safeguarding your home against foodborne illnesses begins not at home, but at the supermarket," says the Food and Drug Administration.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs part GoLocalProv's ongoing series of review state health inspections, including restaurants and school cafeterias, GoLocalProv reviewed the Rhode Island Department of Health’s inspection reports for the past three years which included over sixty stores from such chains as Aldi’s, Brigido’s, Dave’s, Price Rite, Seabra, Shaw's, Stop and Shop, and Whole Foods.
“We are always evaluating the best ways to keep the public informed,” said Joseph Wendelken with the Department of Health. “Right now, we consider out existing approach to be very sound. All retail inspections are posted on RIDOH’s website. In addition, anyone can enter the name of a restaurant and be notified when the facility is inspected.”
Retailers Respond
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), foodborne ailments cause about 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,200 deaths nationwide each year.
Wendelken noted that while there have been complaints of illnesses tied to supermarkets, the state’s investigations have not proven any correlation.
“There have been no supermarket outbreaks in the last 3 years. We commonly investigate illness complaints where products from supermarkets are potentially involved,” said Wendelken. “Over the past three years, we have collected food and environmental samples from supermarkets in response to illness complaints. But no samples collected from supermarkets over this time have been found to match reported illnesses.”
“Food safety and store cleanliness are top priorities for Stop & Shop and our store teams take great pride in the condition of our stores. All of our associates are trained on our comprehensive sanitation, food safety and quality assurance programs, and we regularly inspect our stores to ensure that they meet our own high standards,” said Judi Palmer, the Director of Marketing and External Communications for Stop and Shop’s New England Division. “Our stores are also regularly inspected by health departments in the cities and towns where we operate for compliance with applicable food safety and sanitation codes.”
“At Shaw’s and Star Market, we take the quality of our products, and the safety and conditions of our stores very seriously. As our stores continue to evolve to meet the needs of today’s busy consumers, including adding more prepared food areas, we have added staff and resources to reinforce our commitment to food safety,” said Teresa Edington for Shaw's. “Our management accompanies Board of Health personnel during routine inspections and addresses any and all issues brought to our attention. As reports indicate, most matters are addressed while the Board of Health is still in the store. We remain committed to proactive communication and follow-up with the Board of Health. Our store teams work daily to meet mandated standards as well as our own company’s strict standards.”
Whole Foods, which has three stores in the state, weighed in with the following.
“At Whole Foods Market we see our relationship with the Health Department as a respectful working partnership that benefits all of our stakeholders,” said Heather McCready for the natural foods chain. “We work closely with third party auditors and our own internal food safety and compliance teams, as well as the Health Department, to make sure that we are always striving to consistently meet their food safety standards, as well as our own.”
Brigido’s, which topped the list for health violations for dozens of violations cited on multiple visits at its Slatersville location during the past three years, recently only had three violations on its last inspection in March.
“We have a new training program for both new employees and old ones. We started at the end of last year, and they have to take a class and take a test,” said store manager Manny Torres.
25 RI Supermarkets with the Highest Number of Health Violations - 2016
#25
SHAW'S SUPERMARKET NO 191/7441
320 WARWICK AVENUE WARWICK, RI 02886
Total violations: 21
(Major violations: 14)
Violations include:
Two deli slicers in the deli station had an accumulation of old food debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Deli slicers to be washed/rinsed/sanitized and allowed to air dry before next use.
#24
SHAW'S SUPERMARKET NO 175/7434
1050 WILLETT AVENUE EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02915
Total violations: 23
(Major violations: 6)
Violations include:
Rotisserie turkey which was prepared the day prior to the inspection was not cooled to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 hours and then to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. The turkey was observed at 44 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, the turkey was voluntarily disposed. The inspector reviewed cooling procedures with the person in charge and provided copies of the cooling graph and chart
#23
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 722
850 MANTON AVENUE PROVIDENCE, RI 02909
Total violations: 24
(Major violations: 7)
Violations include:
Cheese in the open air cheese display case was held between 45 and 67 degrees F. Potentially hazardous food must be held at 41 degrees F or below except during preparation, cooking or cooling. Cheese was voluntarily disposed during inspection. Service was called during inspection.
#22
BRIGIDO'S IGA MARKETPLACE
25 VILLAGE PLAZA WAY SCITUATE, RI 02857
Total violations: 25
(Major violations: 8)
Violations include:
Inspector observed rust on the can opener blade. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. PIC took can opener out of service and will contact maintenance for blade replacement.
#21
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 705
446 PUTNAM PIKE SMITHFIELD, RI 02917
Total violations: 25
(Major violations: 9)
Violations include:
The handsink in the kitchen was blocked by a box of chicken. A handwashing sink shall be accessible at all times for employee use. PIC removed box from sink.
#19 (Tie)
SHAW'S SUPERMARKET NO 7687
575 TAUNTON AVENUE EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02914
Total violations: 25
(Major violations: 11)
Violations include:
Observed handwash sinks in deli and produce departments being obstructed by trash cans and carts.
Observed raw chicken being stored directly over canned hams and other ready to eat items.
#19 (Tie)
DAVE'S MARKETPLACE
23 COVENTRY SHOPPERS PARK COVENTRY, RI 02816
Total violations: 25
(Major violations: 11)
Violations include:
Sliding doors of display units are not cleaned at a frequency to prevent the buildup of food and soil residue. Equipment shall be kept clean. Staff began cleaning doors during time of inspection.
Previously cleaned Food storage containers observed stored stacked not clean to sight and touch. Sticker residue from labeling observed on containers. Labeling residue to be fully removed and containers must be re-cleaned.
#18
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 712
622 GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGHWAY LINCOLN, RI 02865
Total violations: 26
(Major violations: 6)
Violations include:
Tray and knives used to open deli-meats, are only washed, rinsed and sanitized at the end of the day. The surfaces of equipment that contacts potentially hazardous foods such as meats and cheeses, must be washed rinsed and sanitized at least every 4 hours.
#17
SUPER STOP AND SHOP SUPERMARKET
575 GREENWICH AVENUE WARWICK, RI 02886
Total violations: 27
(Major violations: 14)
Violations include:
A fruit tart was observed with mold on the fruit. Tart was voluntarily disposed of.
An employee was observed washing their hands at the three bay sink in the meat room. Food employees shall clean their hands in a designated handwashing sink, not in a service (mop) sink.
#16
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 708
1360 WEST MAIN ROAD MIDDLETOWN, RI 02840
Total violations: 28
(Major violations: 10)
Violations include:
Cases of refrigerated food items were being held at room temp in the produce dept., items temp between 48-50 degrees. Items had been out of walk-in for less than an hour while new stock was being moved in. Items were immediately moved back to walk-in.
Knives throughout the facility (bakery, seafood, and produce departments) had an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean after being washed, rinsed, and sanitized.
#15
SEABRA FOODS I INC
1150 HOPE ST BRISTOL, RI 02809
Total violations: 29
(Major violations: 14)
Violations include:
An employee in the meat department was observed not washing hands/changing gloves after touch chemical bottles then touching meat. Employee washed hands and changed gloves as directed by inspector.
Salted cod, labeled "keep refrigerated", was held out of temperature control and temped at 79 degrees F. Potentially hazardous food must be held at 41 degrees F. or below except during preparation, cooking or cooling. The salted cod was embargoed until proof that the fish is shelf stable can be obtained.
#14
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 701
250 BELLEVUE AVENUE NEWPORT, RI 02840
Total violations: 31
(Major violations: 7)
Violations include:
The floors in the deli and bakery area had rodent droppings and an accumulation of soil residue and/or food debris. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.
Condensate was observed dripping and pooling in the meat walk-in cooler. Staff has place a work order in prior to inspection.
#13
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 2701
1925 PAWTUCKET AVENUE EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02914
Total violations: 31
(Major violations: 9)
Violations include:
The presence of flies is not controlled as evidenced by live individuals in the deli/prepared foods/bakery areas. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled to minimize their presence on the premises by routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests, using acceptable methods to control pests, eliminating harborage conditions and routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies.
A mop was observed in the back room sitting in the mop bucket of dirty water. Mops must be allowed to air dry after use.
#12
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 714
204 GARFIELD STREET CRANSTON, RI 02920
Total violations: 32
(Major violations: 12)
Violations include:
A dead mouse was observed in the refrigerator case next to deli.
There are small gaps in the openings of the doors for the pastry display cases. Fly noted landing on corn muffins. Muffins disposed.
#11
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 731
199 JT CONNELL HIGHWAY NEWPORT, RI 02840
Total violations: 37
(Major violations: 13)
Violations include:
Mice droppings were observed in the receiving dock.
Droppings were observed behind the kick-plate underneath the rice costumer storage display. Facility shall have a pest control measures to control the presences of pest.
#10
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 720
900 TIOGUE AVENUE COVENTRY, RI 02816
Total violations: 38
(Major violations: 13)
Violations include:
The nonfood-contact surfaces of the olive walk-in have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Dripping condensate, mold and dust were observed on the ceiling, fans, shielding and pipes.
The floor drains throughout the establishment were not operating properly; they were observed with standing water.
#9
DAVE'S MARKETPLACE NO 5
125 TOWER HILL ROAD NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852
Total violations: 39
(Major violations: 12)
Violations include:
The presence of ants is not controlled as evidenced by ants around 3 bay sinks in bakery area. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled to minimize their presence on the premises by routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests, using acceptable methods to control pests, eliminating harborage conditions and routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies. Pest control has been contacted regarding the issue.
#8
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 718
91 POINT JUDITH ROAD NARRAGANSETT, RI 02882
Total violations: 42
(Major violations: 19)
Violations include:
One package of hot dogs was observed passed 'use or freeze by' date on package. Voluntary disposal completed during inspection.
Employees in seafood area were observed entering the area from beef section and applying gloves without washing their hands. Food employees must wash their hands before putting on gloves.
#7
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 716
90 FRENCHTOWN ROAD NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852
Total violations: 43
(Major violations: 17)
Violations included:
Sushi being delivered from 'Sushi by Jay' from the Warwick Ave store was not in temperature. Sushi received in cooler with ice packs on top, sushi temps between 53-63 degrees. Items were NOT accepted by store.
Raw pork was stored above RTE ham in meat walk-in cooler. Raw animal foods must be separated from raw ready-to-eat food such as vegetables during storage. Items relocated during inspection.
#6
SHAW'S SUPERMARKET NO 180/7438
160-A OLD TOWER HILL ROAD WAKEFIELD, RI 02879
Total violations: 43
(Major violations: 19)
Violations include:
The Person in charge was not knowledgeable of proper reheating, hot holding, and cold holding. The person in charge must demonstrate to the health department knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, application of HACCP principles and the requirements of this Code.
Raw animal foods were not stored properly to prevent cross-contamination. Except when combined as ingredients, different types of raw animal foods must be separated from each other during storage by using separate equipment or arrranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented. Chicken over beef in meat display case.
#5
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
GARDEN CITY CENTER CRANSTON, RI 02920
Total violations: 43
(Major violations: 24)
Violations include:
The ice machine in the coffee service area had an accumulation of black mold and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.
Proper cooling methods were not used for potentially hazardous foods. Per interview of deli staff turkey and cheese panini and potato salad placed in the deli display case were placed warm (above 41 F degrees) in the deli display sandwich case.
#4
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 725
333 WEST RIVER STREET PROVIDENCE, RI 02909
Total violations: 45
(Major violations: 10)
Violations include:
Per interview watermelon is sprayed with sanitizer (quats) prior to cutting. Disposed.
Bread was placed on a prep table that was not washed, rinsed and sanitized. Disposed.
The nonfood-contact surfaces of the grates on the produce display cooler and the open air deli cooler have an accumulation of mold, food residue and other debris.
#3
SUPER STOP AND SHOP NO 707
200 ATWOOD AVENUE CRANSTON, RI 02910
Total violations: 48
(Major violations: 18)
Violations include:
Mold observed on the ceiling of the walk in cooler. Must be cleaned on a regular basis.
The ice machine located in the back produce area had an accumulation of black mold and debris located on the inside shoot where the ice comes down.
All chickens in rotisserie were contaminated by fire.
#2
SHAW'S SUPERMARKET NO 176/7435
186 COUNTY ROAD BARRINGTON, RI 02806
Total violations: 55
(Major violations: 31)
Violations include:
Bagels and cake samples on display in the bakery area were not protected from contamination by public. PIC placed covers over items.
Deli meats including turkey, located in the deli case, was not marked with the date of preparation. Ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food , prepared in the establishment and held for more than 24 hours, must be marked with the date of preparation.
Food was observed stored in close proximity to the handsink in the prepared foods area. This exposes food to possible contamination.
#1
BRIGIDO'S IGA MARKETPLACE
900 VICTORY HIGHWAY NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI 02876
Total violations: 88
(Major violations: 39)
Violations include:
Zeppoles were held at 44-45 degrees. Potentially hazardous food must be held at 41 degrees F. or below except during preparation, cooking or cooling. Disposed.
Knives in the knife rack in the meat area were put away without first being washed, rinsed and sanitized
The can opener, mixers, equipment in the clean storage area, and knives in the knife rack had an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Items were taken out of service to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
