Health Department Issues Citations to Several Area Restaurants

Continuing with County Executive Barry Grossman's wishes to crack down on food facilities found to be in violation of health regulations, the Erie County Department of Health announces a new policy regarding compliance and enforcement in Erie County.  Targeted are food facilities that ignore food safety guidelines and display a fundamental disregard for the health of the citizens of Erie County and the patrons of their establishment.  It clearly defines the criteria that will be used and the steps that will be taken by the health department.  Included are progressive steps of enforcement as well as the steps to be followed for the issuance of notices of violations, prosecution, and closure. 

A flowchart summarizing the new policy will be posted on the health department's website ECDH.org and will be distributed by inspectors during inspections of all retail food facilities.

Citations were filed against Imperial China Buffet for violations found during the course of a routine health inspection.  The owner pled guilty to 18 citations, and the District Judge imposed a penalty of $600.00.  Citations will now be filed against the following facilities:

     ACME Seafood & Chinese Restaurant - 2301 Broad Street, Erie, PA  16503

     J China Jade - 14 East Main Street, North East, PA  16428

     New China Jade - 10 East Washington Street, Corry, PA  16407

Grossman stated, "The primary goal of the Health Department's food safety program is to bring food facilities into compliance.  Through education and assistance the consumer expects that the food they consume will be safe and that a health inspector will enforce regulations when egregious poor sanitation conditions exist."  In addition, failure to correct violations or the finding of chronic repeat violations will also warrant immediate action.