Inspections by the Rhode Island Department of Health of Providence Public Schools found rodent feces, broken freezers, food improperly stored, and dozens of other violations.
GoLocal reviewed the most recent health inspections at nearly 40 of the Providence elementary, middle and high schools.
Some of the violation were administrative and others were far more serious.
Pleasant View School was cited for violating a number of health codes including, “The floor in the dry storage area under a table has an accumulation of old mouse droppings. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.”
SLIDES: SEE VIOLATIONS BY SCHOOLS BELOW
According to the Centers for Disease Control, children and the elderly are most at risk from food poisoning.
“Young children have immune systems that are still developing, so their body’s ability to fight germs and sickness isn’t as strong. Food poisoning can be particularly dangerous for them because illness can lead to diarrhea and dehydration. Children younger than 5 are three times more likely to be hospitalized if they get a Salmonella infection. And kidney failure strikes 1 out of 7 children under age 5 who are diagnosed with E. coli O157 infection,” reports the CDC.
Overall, food-borne illness affects an estimated 48 million Americans each year, resulting in 3,000 deaths and the hospitalization of 128,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The issues of the quality of the food served Providence’s 24,000 public school children was identified in the report compiled by Johns Hopkins University as one of the many challenges facing the system.
“The Board member then specified what a restart would actually mean: ‘Starting over means new everything: new teachers, new trainings for teachers. Our buildings are terrible, our food is terrible; we only have one vendor for transportation, one vendor for food – there are a lot of monopolies in Rhode Island, so we are at the mercy of the vendors,’” reports the Johns Hopkins study.
The Hopkins study found other issues relating to school cafeterias — like violence. “Violent fighting and bullying are present often enough that students and teachers do not feel safe. In one school, we were told that it is ‘very common for fights to erupt in cafeteria.’”
The city of Providence’s vendor says, “Sodexo delivers healthy and delicious school meals based on the USDA’s nutrition guidelines so that students are engaged and ready to learn in school. All meals include a variety of fresh fruit and vegetable choices, and a variety of chilled non-fat or low-fat milk.”
The company says, “Our theme for all of our endeavors this school year is compliance. We are dedicating everything we do and all of our daily activities to taking our program to an expert level of compliance. From training and accountability to the SNA certification of our team members, Providence hopes to achieve superlative recognition in all upcoming RIDE reviews.”
One of the most prevalent violations in the past year's inspections was schools not having proper procedures in place for the removal of vomit.
“When done correctly, a food-safety inspection is a painstaking process. We noticed that inspectors tended to cite fewer violations at each successive establishment they visited through their day — suggesting that the onerous work takes a toll on their meticulousness. When they spent more time on inspections earlier in the day, they cited fewer violations later. And, when inspections risked prolonging their work past their normal quitting times, they cited even fewer violations. This isn’t intended to insinuate that inspectors become lazy. Rather, it demonstrates that inspections are exhausting to conduct,” reports Maria R. Ibanez and Michael W. Toffel in HBR.
SEE VIOLATIONS BY SCHOOLS BELOW
Related Slideshow: Providence Schools - Cafeteria Health Code Violations - August, 2019
The following are the most recent cafeteria inspections at Providence schools -- as conducted -- and provided to GoLocalProv -- by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
The hand-washing sink in the kitchen was blocked by a cart and mop bucket. A hand-washing sink shall be accessible at all times for employee use.
Corrected On-Site.
Correct By: 09/25/2018
49 Violation of Code: [4-602.13]
The non-food contact surfaces of the shelves in the dry storage area have an accumulation of dust. Corrected On-Site.
Correct By: 09/25/2018
51 Violation of Code: [5-202.13]
The sanitizer bay of the three bay sink also used as a veggie/fruits washing sink is lacking an air gap.
Correct By: 10/16/2018
53 Violation of Code: [6-501.19]
The door to the employee restroom is not self-closing. Correct By: 10/31/2018
53 Violation of Code: [5-501.17]
The receptacle in the employee restroom is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
Correct By: 10/09/2018
54 Violation of Code: [5-501.113] The outside dumpster is not covered. Receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables shall be kept covered.
Corrected On-Site.
Correct By: 09/25/2018
55 Violation of Code: [6-501.12] The floor in the dry storage area under a table has an accumulation of old mouse droppings. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
New Violation. Correct By: 02/26/2019
16 Violation of Code: [4-601.11(A)]
Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (can opener, slicer, knives) were observed with an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Corrected On-Site.
New Violation. Correct By: 02/26/2019
21 Violation of Code: [3-501.16(A)(1)(ii)] Ribs was observed held at 129 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be maintained at 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above except during preparation, cooking, or cooling.
Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Correct By: 02/26/2019
37 Violation of Code: [3-302.12] Working containers of salad dressing and syrup are not labeled with the common name of the food. Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages, such as flour, herbs, salt, sugar, and spices must be labeled with the common name of the food. New Violation. Correct By: 02/26/2019
53 Violation of Code: [5-501.17] The receptacle in the women's toilet room is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins. New Violation. Correct By: 02/26/2019
55 Violation of Code: [6-501.114] The floors and walls throughout the facility have an accumulation of soil residue and/or food debris. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Repeat Violation. Correct By: 02/26/2019
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
New Violation. Correct By: 03/05/2019
38 Violation of Code: [6-501.111] The presence of mice is not controlled as evidenced by dropping. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled 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. New Violation.
Correct By: 03/05/2019
47 Violation of Code: [4-501.11] reach in freezer located in the kitchen area was not in good repair. Temperature observed at 20 degrees
New Violation. Correct By: 03/05/2019
52 Violation of Code: [5-402.13] waste water shall be conveyed to the point of disposal through an approved sanitary system...
System in place is HOT WATER safety risk
New Violation. Correct By: 03/05/2019
53 Violation of Code: [5-501.17] The receptacle in the women's toilet room is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins. New Violation. Correct By: 03/05/2019
Many TCS foods were observed not marked with the date of preparation. Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods prepared in the establishment and held for more than 24 hours must be marked with the date of preparation. New Violation. Correct By: 03/12/2019
49 Violation of Code: [4-602.13] The non-food contact surfaces of the grill and stovetop backsplash have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Repeat Violation. Correct By: 03/12/2019
55 Violation of Code: [6-501.114] Traulsen 2 door reach in has not been in use for years - remove.
Chicken patty sandwich was observed held at 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be maintained at 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above except during preparation, cooking, or cooling.
New Violation. Correct By: 01/15/2019
23 Violation of Code: [3-501.17] Pasta and deli meat was observed not marked with the date of preparation. Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods prepared in the establishment and held for more than 24 hours must be marked with the date of preparation.
Food removed from freezer to defrost and for use was not properly date marked
New Violation. Correct By: 01/15/2019
54 Violation of Code: [5-501.115] Area around dumpster should be free of debris so not to attract pests and odors
New Violation. Correct By: 01/15/2019
55 Violation of Code: [6-501.114] Premises should be free of unnecessary items - old [sic] cres cor on loading dock
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
New Violation.
Correct By: 02/26/2019
29 Violation of Code: [8-103.12] No food temperature logs to observe New Violation. Correct By: 02/26/2019
53 Violation of Code: [5-501.17] The receptacle in the women's toilet room is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins. Repeat Violation. Correct By: 02/26/2019
54 Violation of Code: [5-501.11] The dumpster outside is located on the ground. The outdoor storage surface for refuse, recyclables, and returnables must be constructed of nonabsorbent material such as concrete or asphalt and must be smooth, durable, and sloped to drain. Repeat Violation. Correct By: 02/26/2019
10 Violation of Code: [6-301.11] Soap was not available at the hand-washing sink in the employee bathroom off the break room and at the hand sink in the employee break room. Hand-washing sinks must be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. New Violation. Correct By: 07/18/2019
10 Violation of Code: [6-301.12] The hand-washing sink in the employee bathroom off the break room and at the hand sink in the employee break room were lacking paper towels. New Violation. Correct By: 07/18/2019
53 Violation of Code: [6-501.19] The door to the toilet room off the kitchen is not self-closing. New Violation. Correct By: 08/25/2019
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
New Violation. Correct By: 04/09/2019
47 Violation of Code:
[4-501.11] gaskets located in the reach-in refrigerator area was not in good repair.
Repeat Violation. Correct By: 04/09/2019
53 Violation of Code: [5-501.17] The receptacle in the women's toilet room is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins. Repeat Violation. Correct By: 04/09/2019
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events New Violation.
Correct By: 02/12/2019
10 Violation of Code: [5-205.11] The hand-washing sink in the kitchen was blocked by mop and bucket. A hand-washing sink shall be accessible at all times for employee use.
New Violation. Correct By: 02/12/2019
50 Violation of Code: [5-103.12] water temperature at the hand sink shall be at least 100 degrees.
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
New Violation. Correct By: 02/12/2019
53 Violation of Code: [5-501.17]
The receptacle in the women's toilet room is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins. New Violation. Correct By: 02/12/2019
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
New Violation. Correct By: 02/12/2019
53 Violation of Code: [5-501.17]
The receptacle in the women's toilet room is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins. New Violation. Correct By: 02/12/2019
38 Violation of Code: [6-202.15] The door to the outside, located in the cafeteria seating area is not tight-fitting.
Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Corrected On-Site.
New Violation. Correct By: 04/02/2019
37 Violation of Code: [3-302.12]
Working containers of salad dressing are not labeled with the common name of the food. Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages, such as flour, herbs, salt, sugar, and spices must be labeled with the common name of the food.
Hot water sanitizing temperature Machine 165. temperature only reached 97 - check
New Violation.
Correct By: 01/24/2019
55 Violation of Code: [6-501.114] the premises shall be free of unnecessary items to the operation and maintenance of the establishment. such as items/equipment that is non functional
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events New Violation.
Correct By: 03/19/2019
53 Violation of Code: [6-202.14]
The receptacle in the women's toilet room is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
New Violation. Correct By: 03/26/2019
53 Violation of Code: [5-501.17]
The receptacle in the women's toilet room is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events New Violation.
Correct By: 04/30/2019
38 Violation of Code: [6-202.15] The door to the outside, located in the cafeteria seating area, is not tight-fitting.
Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors. Repeat Violation.