08/27/2024
Inspector visiting the Fast Trak store and eatery in Elkader
The state of Iowa has shut down food service and suspended the license of a Clayton County eatery and convenience store that has been repeatedly cited for “extreme” unsanitary conditions.
The license suspension at Fast Trak in Elkader is the result of a recent food-safety inspection — one of hundreds conducted over the past month at Iowa stores and restaurants. The inspections at a number of businesses have resulted in citations for rodent infestations, moldy food, month-old pasta and kitchens that were soiled with trash, food debris and standing water.
Fast Trak, 24687 Highway 13, Elkader – Since mid-May, this restaurant and convenience store has been inspected four times by the state and in each instance it has been cited for several major violations.
On August 21, an inspector cited the establishment for 14 risk-factor violations and made note of an additional 25 “good practices” violations – an extraordinarily large number. The inspector noted that the business was operating without a designated person in charge and that employees on site could not answer basic questions regarding food establishment operations.
The inspector observed that frost had built up inside the customer-facing reach-in freezer, saturating the racks with frost and adulterating the packaged ice cream, frozen pizzas and bagged ice. In addition, the refrigeration unit inside the walk-in freezer was dripping condensation onto packaged food items, and the freezers all had food items – such as precooked eggs, sausage, hamburger and desserts – that sat uncovered.
Also, multiple packages of cheese in the retail cooler were measured at 67 to 69 degrees and had to be discarded. The ambient air temperature inside one cooler was 75 degrees, two large pots of vegetable soup in a cooler were not marked with any preparation or discard dates, and utensils that were stored in a drawer were so soiled they left residue on the drawer liner.
Since mid-May, the Fast Trak restaurant and convenience store in Elkader has been inspected four times and in each instance was cited for several major violations. (Photo via Google Earth)
For the fourth time in four months, the inspector noted that the soda fountain’s ice dispenser chute had “green material growing in it.”
The inspector also reported that the food-prep tables had an accumulation of food residue on them, the soft-serve ice cream machine was “visibly soiled inside and out,” the reach-in cooler had accumulated food residue and stagnant water on the bottom shelf, the interior and exterior of the microwave over displayed an accumulation of some unidentified form of residue, and the stove was marred by an accumulation of debris and burned food.
Also, several of the customer reach-in coolers in the retail side of the business were not operating and it appeared the store didn’t have enough working coolers to support the sale of temperature-controlled items such as cheese, eggs and store-packaged deli salads.
“Hanging, sticky fly traps heavily loaded with dead flies were observed throughout the establishment,” the inspector reported. “Mouse droppings observed near baited mouse trap in kitchen area, and in storage area … There is an infestation of flying insects observed throughout the facility, including food prep areas, garbage cans, and shelved products.”
The inspector also reported “an excess amount of soiled linen cloth” that sat in the kitchen, unwashed, and observed that multiple flies were hovering in the area. In addition, the dishwashing area and the three-compartment sink for sanitizing dishes were marred by food residue and there was “a strong odor” emanating from the pipes. “Numerous flying insects – flies — were observed in the area,” the inspector reported.
The inspector also observed that the walls were visibly soiled with accumulated food debris as were portions of the floor and shelving inside a reach-in freezer. Trash bins were surrounded by garbage on the ground, and the bins were not covered with lids, attracting insects.
“The garbage has started to decompose, attracting proliferating flies,” the inspector noted.
The kitchen ceiling tiles were heavily stained with grease and smoke, the walls and floors in both the back and front kitchens were visibly soiled, and the retail-store shelves showed an accumulation of dust and debris. The inspector also reported finding several dead insects in the “heavily soiled” retail case where cheese was displayed.
At the conclusion of the inspection, the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing took the highly unusual step of ordering Fast Trak to halt all food preparation and halt the sale of all temperature-controlled retail food items “due to the gross unsanitary conditions of food-contact surfaces and ware-washing facilities, soiled cooking equipment and utensils, and excessive refuse in kitchen and storage areas contributing to a pest infestation throughout the facility.”
Citing “severe unsanitary conditions” and the “imminent health hazards present in the facility,” the state’s order suspending the establishment’s food license took effect immediately and remained in place as of Aug. 26, 2024.
Fast Trak had been visited by a state inspector on May 17, at which time the inspector concluded the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number of risk-factor violations found at that time.
The inspector found several containers of milk dated April 3, 2024 – six weeks prior to the inspection – inside 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.
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 three-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.
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 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.”
“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.”
