In recent weeks, state, city, and county inspectors have uncovered a series of concerning food safety violations across various establishments in Iowa. The findings include expired food products, improper storage of meat, rodent droppings, insects in bottles, and moldy produce. These infractions were reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, highlighting significant health risks posed to consumers. While many violations were promptly addressed, some businesses faced temporary closures until corrective actions were taken. This comprehensive inspection snapshot underscores the importance of stringent food safety practices.

Inspection Findings Reveal Widespread Issues Across Iowa Establishments

During the past six weeks, inspectors conducted thorough checks on numerous restaurants, stores, schools, and hospitals throughout Iowa. In Cedar Rapids, La Taqueria was temporarily shut down after an inspector discovered a malfunctioning grease trap and drain system backing up into the building. The establishment lacked a certified food protection manager, had moldy cheese, and improperly stored food items exceeding safe temperature limits. Similarly, Hong Kong Buffet in Muscatine faced 16 critical violations, including unhygienic conditions and improper food handling practices.

Crouse Café in Indianola was cited for storing moldy sausage patties and improper handwashing procedures. Samurai Sushi & Hibachi Restaurant in West Des Moines saw workers mixing raw and cooked sushi without proper separation, leading to potential cross-contamination. At Hy-Vee Foods in Fairfield, raw ground beef was improperly stored above ready-to-eat items, necessitating the discard of contaminated products. McDonald’s in Marshalltown had issues with insufficiently cooled breakfast burritos and untimed food preparations.

The Palms/Fridley Theaters in Waukee faced problems with outdated cabbage and mushrooms, while Great Wok/Great Teriyaki in West Des Moines reused chicken packaging boxes for produce, posing cross-contamination risks. Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon in Iowa City had employees handling bread bare-handed and improperly stored sauces. Lakeside Hotel & Casino in Osceola had issues with unclean soda nozzles and improperly reheated hamburgers. Pint’s River Bar in Guttenberg stored unauthorized raw meat in its freezer and lacked proper sanitation measures.

The Tequila Grill in Ottumwa received 17 critical violations, including improper food dating and inadequate sanitization. Bickford Cottage Assisted Living in Urbandale had moldy strawberries and poor hygiene practices. Los Portales No. 2 in Davenport dealt with uncovered food and spoiled chili verde. Hy-Vee Foods in Cedar Rapids had employees not following handwashing protocols and ice buildup on packaged foods. Monterey Mexican Restaurant in Sioux City faced issues with raw food handling and unsanitary equipment. A & W Drive-In in Indianola had uncovered root beer vats and raw meat storage concerns. Lotus Asian Bistro in Davenport struggled with fruit flies in tequila bottles and improper food storage. El Viejo Mexican Restaurant in Marion saw employees transitioning from raw to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. La Tapatia III in Des Moines had warm pork deliveries discarded due to unsafe temperatures. Riverside Family Restaurant No. 2 in Oskaloosa had multiple issues with cold food storage and dirty restrooms. Jimmy John’s in Grinnell had moldy ice machines and undated potato salad. Bickford Cottage in Iowa City faced low-temperature food storage and expired licenses. Izumi Japanese Steak House in Davenport had room-temperature sauce and moldy ice machines. Tanganyika Grocery Store in Des Moines repackaged food unsafely and operated without a license. Crossroads Bistro in Cedar Rapids had moldy containers and bare-hand food handling. Pizza Shack in Davenport had numerous violations, including mouse droppings and unclean surfaces. El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines faced 14 critical violations, including improper food storage and cross-contamination risks.

These inspections highlight the critical need for strict adherence to food safety regulations. Establishments must prioritize cleanliness, proper food storage, and staff training to ensure consumer safety. Regular and rigorous inspections are essential to maintaining public trust and preventing health hazards. Consumers should remain vigilant about food safety practices at their favorite dining spots and report any concerns to authorities.