74
COURTESY TAYLOR SCOTT
Blue Water Shrimp and Seafood Market in Ala Moana was shut down today after an inspection "revealed that foods which require temperature controls
such as raw meat products
Just over a week after issuing its first red placard in the restaurant inspection program, the health department has shut down a second business — this time an Ala Moana Shopping Center seafood establishment.
The state Health Department said in a press release that inspections at Blue Water Shrimp and Seafood Market revealed "chronic temperature violations," and the restaurant was fined $9,000.
Under the food safety program, a green card indicates an establishment has passed inspection; a yellow it received a conditional pass; and red triggers immediate closure due to a permit suspension.
A yellow card was issued to Blue Water on Oct. 7, and subsequent follow-up inspections on Oct. 9 through today revealed multiple violations of temperature requirements for holding perishable foods, the health department said.
The health department had met with the owner on Thursday. However, a follow-up inspection today "revealed that foods which require temperature controls, such as raw meat products, were being held above 41 degrees F.," the press release said. "The state’s food safety rules require perishable foods be held at temperatures below 41 degrees F to control pathogenic bacterial growth, and prevent the risk of food borne illnesses or food poisoning."
A popular Waialua bakery was shut down on Oct. 7 after the state Health Department issued a temporary suspension of its food safety permit for improper temperature controls.
The health department issued Paalaa Kai Bakery a red placard — the first red placard to be issued to a food establishment in Hawaii since implementation of the state’s color-coded food safety inspection program in July 2014.
The state’s placarding system for food establishments began on July 21, 2014 and since that time DOH’s Sanitation Branch has completed more than 9,068 inspections statewide under the new program. The vast majority of food establishments in Hawaii are in compliance, meet all health requirements and have their green placard displayed.
