Macon restaurant fails health inspection for improper raw meat storage, grease buildup
A Macon restaurant failed its most recent routine health inspection in September but rebounded a few days later at its required follow-up inspection with a “B.”
Hong Kong Express at 610 North Ave. received a “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” with a score of 69 at its routine inspection Sept. 15 in part due to improper food storage, according to what was reported in the Georgia Department of Public Health online portal.
The restaurant came back at its required follow-up inspection Sept. 20 with a score of 82 to earn a “B” for “satisfactory compliance.”
Also, Hong Kong Express previously failed its routine inspection with a score of 62 with a grade of “U” on June 9, 2021 to bounce back the next day with a 92 for an “A” for “food safety excellence” at its required follow-up inspection, according to online records.
Additionally, the restaurant failed its routine inspection with a score of 60 to earn a “U” on Oct. 22, 2019 but came back with an 88 for a “B” on Oct. 30, 2019.
Routine inspection
At its routine inspection Sept. 15, how food was stored contributed to the failing grade for Hong Kong Express, including chicken on a counter next to a fryer that was left uncovered and unprotected from possible overhead contamination, according to the inspection report.
A health inspector also observed raw chicken on a stick placed on a top shelf above fries and egg rolls in a cold holding unit across from the cook line, the report said.
The inspector saw raw chicken and shrimp stored behind bell pepper and carrots in a cold holding unit across from the cook line instead of stored and stacked according to minimum cooking time as required, according to the report.
Additionally, the health inspector also found “items” in a walk-in cooler and a reach-in cooler above the required 41 degrees or less for cold holding, according to the report.
Also, a cook was seen using the same tongs to handle both raw “product” and cooked “product” instead of using different tongues or utensils to prevent the potential for cross contamination, the report said.
Additionally, a health inspector also determined that the restaurant needs to develop a date-marking system for products held longer than 24 hours.
The health inspector also observed items such as salt, sugar, and MSG stored on the cook line without proper labeling as well as large containers without labels holding MSG, flour, sugar, salt, and other herbs.
The health inspector also saw grease buildup around cook line and walls near the ventilation system, according to the report.
Follow-up inspections are required when a restaurant fails its routine inspection and usually take place within 10 days. Follow-up inspections also take place after a restaurant scores a “C.”
Other Bibb restaurant scores
Meanwhile, more than 20 Bibb restaurants scored “A’s” on their routine health inspections for the reporting period of Sept. 1-30 , including more than half a dozen with perfect scores of 100. Four earned “B’s” and one received a “C.”
Bibb restaurants scoring 100 include:
Burger King, 1188 Gray Highway
Ingleside Village Pizza, 2395 Ingleside Ave.
KFC, 4475 Forsyth Road
Macon Beer Company, 458 Second St.
McDonald’s, 6210 Zebulon Road
Ocmulgee Brewpub, 484 Second St.
Parish on Cherry St., 580 Cherry St.
Wing Topia, 5966 Zebulon Road
How scores work
State health inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100, with scores of 69 and below considered failing.
Here’s how the scores are graded: “A” for a score between 90 and 100 that indicates “food safety excellence.” “B” for a score between 80 and 89, considered “satisfactory compliance,” and “C” for “marginal compliance’‘ for a score between 70 and 79. A “U” for ``unsatisfactory compliance” is given when a restaurant scores a 69 or less.
Restaurant inspections are designed to protect public health. The Telegraph reviews inspection reports monthly and generally reports only the best and the worst scores.
