Wood County Health Inspections: December 2024 Report Highlights Key Violations

The Wood County Health Department has released its latest round of inspections for food establishments and businesses across the region. The December 2024 report highlights the compliance levels of various establishments, including restaurants, schools, and cafés in areas like Marshfield, Nekoosa, and Wisconsin Rapids. These inspections are crucial for ensuring public health and safety, and they shed light on both violations and improvements within the community.

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Key Findings in Marshfield

Bakerville (10631 Wood County B)

• Inspection Date: December 5
• Violations: Six
  • Sanitizer used was not approved.
  • Procedures for handling vomiting or diarrheal incidents were not in place (corrected during inspection).
  • Food protection manager’s certificate was not posted.
  • Rusted shelves in the two-door glass cooler.
  • Dirty interior of the cooler.
  • Cracked and missing kitchen floor tiles.

Perkins Restaurant and Bakery (1200 N. Central Ave.)

• Inspection Date: December 17
• Violations: Four
  • Employee handled ready-to-eat muffins with bare hands (corrected during inspection).
  • No food protection manager’s certificate posted.
  • Sanitizer level in the cook’s line bucket was incorrect (corrected during inspection).
  • Cracked tile behind the prewash area in the dishwashing zone.

Mr. G’s Saloon (136 S. Central Ave.)

• Inspection Date: December 11
• Violations: None

Subway No. 115 (1302 S. Central Ave.)

• Inspection Date: December 27
• Violations: None

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Key Findings in Nekoosa

Alexander Middle School (540 Birch St.)

• Inspection Date: December 4
• Violations: None

Humke Elementary (500 Section St.)

• Inspection Date: December 4
• Violations: None

Nekoosa High School (500 S. Cedar St.)

• Inspection Date: December 4
• Violations: One
  • Single-use items stored in an open bin and not service side down (corrected during inspection).

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Key Findings in Wisconsin Rapids

American Family Table (1530 W. Grand Ave.)

• Inspection Date: December 10
• Violations: Five
  • Potato drawer failed to maintain proper temperature (corrected during inspection).
  • No procedures for responding to vomiting or diarrheal events (corrected during inspection).
  • No thermometer for thin foods.
  • Fruits stored in tin cans.
  • Dirty handles on walk-in cooler and freezer doors.

Four Star Family Restaurant (2911 Eighth St. S.)

• Inspection Date: December 11
• Violations: Five
  • Lack of procedures for vomiting or diarrheal incidents.
  • No thermometer for thin foods.
  • Missing sanitizer test kit.
  • Employee without hair restraint in the food preparation area.
  • Missing ceiling tile behind the cook’s line.

Jennings and Co. Pub (210 First St.)

• Inspection Date: December 17
• Violations: Five
  • Items either exceeded date marks or lacked date labels (corrected during inspection).
  • No sanitizer test kit.
  • Au jus and soup stored in unlabeled containers (corrected during inspection).
  • Wiping cloth left on the salad prep cutting board (corrected during inspection).
  • Dirty basement door.

Pizza Hut (2730 Eighth St. S.)

• Inspection Date: December 11
• Violations: One
  • Pump oil and oil spray bottles not cleaned frequently.

Tropical Smoothie Café (1951 Eighth St. S.)

• Inspection Date: December 4
• Violations: One
  • Sugar stored in an unlabeled container (corrected during inspection).

The Rapids (2311 Griffith Ave.)

• Inspection Date: December 23
• Violations: One
  • No procedures for responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.

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Importance of Health Inspections

These inspections play a critical role in maintaining public health by identifying and addressing potential risks. Violations, whether minor or severe, serve as reminders for businesses to prioritize cleanliness, food safety, and proper staff training.

In December, establishments like Mr. G’s Saloon, Misty’s Menu, and B’s Tap House demonstrated excellent compliance by recording no violations. However, others, such as Bakerville and Four Star Family Restaurant, were flagged for multiple concerns, emphasizing the need for regular maintenance and adherence to food safety protocols.

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Tips for Food Establishments to Stay Compliant

1. Train Staff Regularly: Ensure employees understand food safety guidelines and best practices, including proper hand hygiene and food storage.
2. Maintain Equipment: Regularly inspect and clean coolers, freezers, and kitchen appliances to avoid contamination.
3. Post Required Certificates: Display food protection manager certificates prominently to comply with regulations.
4. Create Emergency Procedures: Have clear protocols for handling incidents like vomiting or diarrheal events.
5. Stay Organized: Label all food containers and monitor expiration dates to prevent health risks.

Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.

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