Topeka food inspections find candy bars 'adulterated' by rodents, wrong bread labels, mold
Kansas food safety and lodging inspectors found several Topeka establishments to be out of compliance with state law in November.
Kansas law delegates to the Kansas Department of Agriculture the authority to regulate food establishments, food processing plants and lodging establishments. Violations — particularly priority violations linked to causes of foodborne illness — can lead to various consequences, including the immediate closure of an establishment.
Kansas Department of Agriculture records show that while most Topeka service establishments passed inspections in November with either no violations or no serious ones, several failed. Most inspections were routine, but inspectors also visited after complaints, for licensing, follow-ups and other reasons.
Out-of-compliance food establishments in Topeka
The following establishments were listed as out of compliance with state law after inspections in November.
Bimbo Bakeries USA at 5005 S.W. Wenger St.
A Nov. 27 Kansas food processing inspection was conducted at the same time as an FDA contract inspection, and inspectors visited multiple days.
They cited five violations of federal regulations. Among them were issues with bread labeling.
The plant was producing "Brownberry Whole Grains 12 Grains and Seeds bread" during the inspection. The inspectors noted that two ingredients were left off the label, while three ingredients listed in the allergen declaration are not actually ingredients in the bread.
The ingredients ascorbic acid and citric acid were not listed on the label. Meanwhile, the allergen declaration said the product contains almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts, even though none of those tree nuts are in the formulation.
"The ingredient list must reflect ingredients that are used in the manufacturing of the product," inspectors wrote, adding that "the ingredients list and allergen declaration should include only the intended ingredients added for the production of this product."
SQRL Service Station at 2901 S.E. Fremont St.
The Nov. 20 inspection, a follow-up to an administrative order, found four violations.
Among the violations were multiple food items with mold. Inspectors found rotting lettuce and a rotting tomato, moldy jalapeno and cheese beef franks, moldy red sauce and moldy gravy.
For some of the items, which were in a cooler, the person in charge told inspectors "they place items down inside the cooler and they never get used again and then they forget about them."
Another follow-up inspection was scheduled for Feb. 18.
Dollar General at 1920 S.W. 10th Ave.
The routine inspection on Nov. 16 found five violations, most dealing with pest control related problems.
Among the violations were Milky Way, Payday and Kit Kat chocolate candy bars that were "adulterated" after their boxes had "been chewed through by rodents," plus fresh rodent droppings at the front counter check out area.
The store was back in compliance after a Nov. 30 follow-up inspection.
Plaza Inn Hotel at 3810 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
The Nov. 15 complaint inspection found 23 violations.
Among the violations were lack of paper towels in a bathroom, untested carbon monoxide detectors, no fire extinguisher in the boiler room, a nonfunctioning smoke detector, stained walls, a broken lamp shade, floors with a buildup of trash, hair in a shower, stained sheets, stained pillowcases, stained blankets or mattress pads, stained mattresses, a room without a secondary lock and a room with a broken deadbolt.
A follow-up inspection was scheduled for Dec. 15.
Burger King at 1800 S.W. 10th St.
The Nov. 13 inspection, a follow-up on a failed Nov. 2 licensing inspection, found three violations.
The violations had to do with pests and potential entry points for pests. Inspectors found fresh rodent droppings on the floor and "in the frozen coke icee machine bottom cabinet." The person in charged told inspectors that "they recently had ownership changes and they're still waiting for new pest services to start."
There were also rodent droppings in the Icee machine cabinet during the inspection 11 days earlier.
Another follow-up inspection date was not immediately scheduled.
Bradley's Corner Cafe at 844 N. Kansas Ave.
The Nov. 7 inspection for a complaint found seven violations.
The inspector found moldy mashed potatoes and moldy cooked bacon. Multiple other food items were not date marked.
There was a cross contamination risk from raw scrambled eggs stored above cooked noodles, egg salad and cooked roast. There were also 30 raw shelled eggs, 20 of which were cracked, stored above raw pork. Raw bacon was stored on top of a pan of cooked bacon.
There were also plumping issues, including a sink not connected to the main line, leaving water emptying on to the ground.
The cafe was back in compliance after a Nov. 8 follow-up inspection.
El Gallo Mexican Restaurant at 3501 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
The Nov. 7 complaint inspection found 10 violations.
Among the violations were lettuce turning brown, dented cans of tomatillos, insects attracted to a basket of dirty linens, a lack of date marking on meat, dried food debris in the microwave and a kitchen sink using a 5 gallon bucket to catch waste water.
The restaurant was back in compliance after a Nov. 17 follow-up inspection.
North Nutrition at 1835 N.W. Topeka Blvd., Suite 201.
The Nov. 6 routine inspection found two violations. One was for an unlabeled cleaner bottle, the other for pest control problems. The bathroom had "at least 20+ fresh mice droppings" under the sink.
The establishment was back in compliance after a Nov. 21 follow-up inspection.
Inspections found these Topeka establishments were in compliance
The following service establishments were in compliance when inspectors visited in November with either no violations or only relatively minor ones.
Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q at 5330 S.W. 21st St.
Paisano's Ristorante at 4043 S.W. 10th Ave.
PT's Coffee Roasting Co. at 2811 Fairlawn Road, Suite C.
Salut Wine and Cocktail Lounge at 3119 S.W. Huntoon St.
Starbucks Coffee at 3020 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Thai Table at 2222 S.W. Washburn Ave.
4 Guys Bistro at 732 S. Kansas Ave.
Classic Bean at 722 S. Kansas Ave.
Onyx Wellness Cafe at 922 N. Kansas Ave.
Baby Dolls at 5300 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Fat Shack at 1418 S.W. Lane St.
I70 66 600 S.W. Fairlawn Road.
Lattes and Lace at 1616 S.E. 43rd Terrace.
Oakland Bakery at 1925 N.E. Seward Ave.
Dirty Dough at 2727 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite 110.
Woodspring Suites at 1801 S.W. Westport Drive.
Country Inn and Suites at 6020 S.W. 10th St.
Jose Pepper's at 1425 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Pad Restaurant at 1730 N. Topeka Blvd.
The Tee Box at 906 S. Kansas Ave.
TJ's Express at 5305 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Toppers Pizza at 2613 S.W. 21st St.
Wendy's at 3250 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Scooters Coffee at 3510 S.E. 29th St.
Ta-Co at 1801 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite VC05.
Taco Villa at 5300 S.W. 21st St., Suite A.
AFC Sushi at Dillons at 2010 S.E. 29th St.
Fuel Expresso at 3603 N.W. 46th St.
Jimmy John's at 2018 S.W. Gage Blvd., Suite A.
Spark Nutrition at 2841 S.E. Croco Road, Suite 700.
The American Bottling Co. at 1401 N.W. Moundview Drive, Suite D.
Jimmy John's at 1025 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Jimmy John's at 2007 N.W. Topeka Blvd., Suite B.
Just Nuts at 1801 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Shana Cake at 435 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 100.
Sheldon Child Development Center at 1155 S.W. Seabrook Ave.
Smallcakes at 1223 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite 300.
BP Gas Station at 2740 S.E. California Ave.
Lakeview 66 at 3000 S.E. Croco Road.
Papa John's Pizza at 1700 S.W. Washburn Ave., Suite B.
The Forgotten Grain at 841 N. Washington Street, Suite B, in Auburn.
Kwik Shop at 4500 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina at 1235 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Golden Corral at 1601 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Mizu 88 at 1320 S.W. Ashworth Place.
Relax Inn & Suites at 3802 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Abigail's Oakland at 1909 N.E. Seward Ave.
Applebee's Grill & Bar at 5928 S.W. 17th St.
Chili's Grill & Bar at 2021 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Dunkin Donuts at 4009 S.W. 21st St.
Papa Murphy's Pizza at 1035 S.W. Gage Blvd.
Hanover Pancake House at 1034 S. Kansas Ave.
Hardee's at 2100 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
I-70 Auto Auction at 11048 US-40 highway.
G's Kids Catering at 2532 S.E. Monroe St.
Lake Shawnee Campground at 3435 S.E. East Edge Road.
Lake Shawnee Golf Course at 4141 S.E. East Edge Road.
Topeka Harley Davidson at 2047 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
American Legion Post #31 at 442 Main St., PO Box 338, in Rossville.
Burger King at 2817 S.E. California Ave.
Burger King at 3690 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Desi Delights at 2025 S.W. Urish Road, Suite 105.
Hyatt Place at 6021 S.W. Sixth Ave.
Love's Travel Stop / Godfather's at 1811 N.W. Brickyard Road.
Marco's Pizza at 1401 Gage Blvd.
Travelers Inn at 3846 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Burger King at 2110 N.W. Topeka Blvd.
Burger King at 6002 S.W. 10th St.
El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant at 1441 N. Washington St. in Auburn.
Forbes Field Golf Course at 700 Capeheart Road.
KVF #1 - State Capitol (Lettuce Feed You) at 300 S.W. 10th St.
Starbucks Coffee at 1223 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite 400.
Stumpy's Smoked Cheese at 2104 N.W. Topeka Blvd.
Wendy's at 2025 N.W. Topeka Blvd.
Jason Alatidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: These 8 Topeka facilities failed food safety inspections in November
