Inspectors report Myrtle Beach area convenience store freezer had dead flies & bug larvae

Last week, five Myrtle Beach area restaurants had unannounced routine inspections and did not earn an "A" grade for various violations that were found by inspectors.

All five of these restaurants did have follow-up inspections this week, May 8 - 12, which were also unannounced.

This information is provided by SC Department of Health and Environmental Control:

Food Lion #706 Deli located at 2234 S. Fraser St., Georgetown, had a routine inspection on May 2 and scored 82% "B" grade. Food Lion had a follow-up inspection on May 11 and scored 100 percent "A" grade.

Golden Kitchen located at 820 Surfside Drive, Surfside Beach, had a routine inspection on May 1 and scored 73% "C" grade. Golden Kitchen had a follow-up inspection on May 11 and scored 92 percent "A" grade.

Lakewood Trading Post located at 5901 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, had a routine inspection on May 3 and scored 80% "B" grade. Lakewood Trading Post had a follow-up inspection on May 12 and scored 91 percent "A" grade.

Landolfi's Italian Pastry Shop located at 9305 U.S. 17, Pawleys Island, had a routine inspection on May 4 and scored 79% "B" grade. Landolfi's had a follow-up inspection on May 11 and scored 98 percent "A" grade.

Pawleys Raw Bar located at 9448 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, had a routine inspection on May 1 and scored 83% "B" grade. Pawleys Raw Bar had a follow-up inspection on May 8 and scored 100 Percent "A" grade.

When a restaurant is out of compliance in a routine inspection, it is noted on a SC Food Grade report and the establishment has a follow-up inspection within 10 days to correct the violations.

Stopping in just to get gas? Maybe you decide to pick up grab-and-go snacks and treats or maybe a sandwich or hot meal to go, these facilities are required to practice retail food safety practices.

"Restaurants, delis, school cafeterias, grocery stores, retail meat markets, bakeries, seafood markets and convenience stores and most instances where a member of the public can enter an establishment an order food."

Both of these establishments had routine inspections and will have follow-up inspections within the next ten days as noted on reports provided to The Sun News.

Here is what inspectors found in this week's (May 8 - 12) restaurant inspections:

Panthers Express located at 3886 Hwy. 701 N., Conway, had a routine inspection on May 9 and scored 80 percent "B" grade. "Hand washing not observed between task changes. Frozen foods observed stored in chest freezer that is not operational. Items observed being cooled, sitting out at room temperature. Once placed in cold holding, item was covered tightly with clear film. Uncooked beef stew and uncooked chicken wings observed thawing in the prep cooler, no running water. Chicken wings observed at 62 degrees. Cases of frozen chicken observed thawing on rolling cart outside of the walk in cooler. Working containers of food that are not in their original containers and not easily identifiable with a common name - such as oils, flour, herbs, potato flakes, salt, spices and sugar. Drain flies observed around soiled towels in the employee bathroom, around the prep sink and around the 3 compartment sink. Commercial pest control invoice dated 05/03 observed. Dead drain flies observed in residential refrigerator in the office, where food is stored for EBT, per management. Unused chest freezer observed with a substantial amount of dead flies and bug larvae. Boxes of food observed stored on the floor, not 6 inches off the ground. Chemical based sanitizer not available. Dishes observed being washed, rinse basin and sanitizing basin observed not set up. Interior of residential refrigerator that is used to store foods for EBT sales, observed not clean to sight and touch. Interior door gaskets on reach in coolers observed with build up and debris." A follow-up inspection is scheduled to be performed within 10 days, according to the SC Food Grade Report.

Refuel 51 located at 6151 Hwy. 707, Myrtle Beach had a routine inspection on May 11 and scored 86 percent "B" grade. "Observed fryer baskets, stored as clean, soiled with debris. Observed the wall mounted dicer, stored as clean, soiled with dried food debris. Walk-in cooler: tuna salad 47 degrees, chicken salad, 49 degrees, hard boiled eggs 48 degrees, chicken 53 degrees, sausage 49 degrees, sliced cheese 51 degrees, shredded cheese 49 degrees. Chemical spray bottles not labeled with their contents. The walk-in cooler is not maintaining 41 degrees or less. Observed build-up in the pre rinse sprayer at the 3-compartment sink. Damaged floor tiles at the entrance of the walk-in freezer. Observed soiled floors and walls in the kitchen." A follow-up inspection is scheduled to be performed within 10 days, according to the SC Food Grade Report.

"INSPECTION KEY"

A | 100 - 88 - The retail food establishment earned more than 87 points. Food safety practices appeared to meet the requirements of Regulation 61-25.

B | 87 - 78 - The retail food establishment earned 78-87 points. Food safety practices need improvement.

C | 77 & Below - The retail establishment earned less than 78 points. Food safety practices need significant improvement.

R | Indicates a Routine Inspection - Unannounced and conducted on a frequency determined by the facility's Risk Category on a frequency of one to four times a year.

F | Indicates a Follow-Up Inspection - Conducted within 10 days of a Routine Inspection that requires follow-up verification.