Ottawa County Eateries Encounter Food Safety Violations: What You Need to Know
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health takes food safety seriously, and each week, they publish inspections from various eateries, schools, and facilities. With foodborne illness a real threat, adherence to safety regulations is not merely a checkbox—it’s a critical aspect of public health.
In a move to enhance transparency and accountability, the Holland Sentinel plans to launch comprehensive coverage beginning in 2025. This coverage will spotlight both “priority” violations—those that could lead directly to food contamination—and “priority foundation” violations, which may contribute to more serious infractions. While core violations exist, they will only be reported when they accumulate significantly within an establishment.
For the latest updates and detailed inspections, head over to miottawa.org/health/environmental/food-services.
Spotlight on Recent Inspections
Here’s a rundown of the recent inspections of local eateries:
2 Dragons Cuisine
Location: 301 N. River Ave., Holland
Corrections: A range of previous violations has been addressed, including the replacement of a problematic wooden cutting board and the cleaning of the facility’s hood system. No further follow-up required.
BAM Entertainment Center
Location: 478 E. 16th St., Holland
Priority Violation: Ready-to-eat foods were held for longer than seven days; outdated items have been discarded. Additionally, a milkshake wand accumulated food debris and was not properly cleaned.
Priority Foundation: No hand soap was available at the handwashing sink by the cooler, a significant lapse for food safety protocols.
Burger King
Location: 31 44th St., Grandville
Corrections: Successful in addressing two previous issues regarding time controls and backflow prevention systems. No further follow-up required.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Location: 4205 32nd Ave., Hudsonville
Correction: The establishment provided documentation for a registered chlorine test strip from the dishwasher, confirming compliance.
Community Restaurant
Location: 421 E. Main Ave., Zeeland
Priority Violation: Lettuce was being held at 50 degrees—above the safe range of 41 degrees—prompting the disposal of the item. Additionally, test strips for the quaternary ammonia sanitizer were unavailable.
Additional Violations of Note
Crockery Creek Saloon
Location: 17044 Main St., Nunica
Priority Violation: Hazardous materials were stored improperly next to food items. This has since been corrected.
GVSU – Kirkhof Center
Location: 1 Campus Drive, Allendale
Priority Violation: Food was held in a warmer at 45-48 degrees, leading to voluntary disposal by the person in charge.
New Beginnings
Location: 2722 Port Sheldon St., Jenison
Priority Violation: Raw meat was found adjacent to lettuce in the cooler, a serious cross-contamination risk.
Pho Mekong
Location: 143 Douglas Ave., Holland
Priority Violation: Several buckets of pho were improperly cooled and discarded during the inspection.
Perfect Inspections
Some establishments shone brightly last week with no violations found during inspections. Here’s the list of exemplary performers:
- Arby’s: 241 Church St., Jenison
- Burger Bros Bar and Grill: 428 Douglas Ave., Holland
- Lazy P BBQ: 14485 Cleveland St., Spring Lake
- Teriyaki Madness: 3155 West Shore Drive, Holland
Ensuring the safety and quality of food in our community doesn’t require a culinary degree; it requires diligence from both establishments and consumers. Next time you dine out, remember to look beyond the menu to assess the food safety practices at the eateries you visit. Healthy eating is about more than just taste—it’s about ensuring that your meal is safe and wholesome.
For the most reliable and comprehensive food safety reports, stay tuned to the updates at miottawa.org and get involved in discussions about how local eateries can continue to improve their standards.
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Have thoughts on this article? Contact reporter Austin Metz via email at [email protected]. Your voice matters!
