Boston Market, Baja Fresh cited for non hand-washing
Published on November 26th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - Disturbed by the findings of several spot inspections conducted in two of Stoneham's fast food establishments, the town's Board of Health reviewed hand washing procedures with the managers of the restaurants.
Meeting last Thursday night with managers of Stoneham's Boston Market and Baja Fresh, which have been fined three times for a combined $425 in recent months, the Board of Health was responding to a Hepatitis A outbreak in Pennsylvania that has killed three people.
While the outbreak has since been attributed to contaminated green onions, board members warned that such illnesses could easily be spread through the improper handling of food.
"When we see stuff in the newspaper and we think it relates to Stoneham, we want to get our hands around it," explained Board of Health Chairman Mike Rolli.
"I'm seeing a trend with some of these restaurants in town to not follow proper handwashing procedures. Before it escalated anymore, we thought it was important to say, 'guys, enough is enough," said Bob Bracey, the board's health agent.
Responding to an unsubstantiated complaint that employees at Baja Fresh were not washing their hands after using the establishment's bathrooms, Bracey fined the Mexican restaurant $100 on Nov. 7 after observing employees preparing food with exposed cuts on their arms and fingers.
In addition, Bracey also found employees leaving the food preparation area and then handling tortilla chips without washing their hands.
However, after the restaurant's Executive Vice-President Randy McNamara detailed an employee educational program dubbed, "Project Clean Hands", board members voted unanimously to rescind the fine.
"It's impressive that someone from corporate is here to show us that this isn't something that's taken lightly. In response to that, I'd like to make a motion to drop this ticket because of the quick action that was taken in response to our suggestions," remarked Board of Health member Benjamin DiRusso.
While the board seemed to consider the Baja Fresh violation to be an isolated incident, both Rolli and Bracey referred to Boston Market's fines as a continual problem.
"With the Boston Market, there have been repeated violations...We are very much concerned with Boston Market and the handling of food there," remarked Rolli.
Inspecting the rotisserie chicken restaurant in late October and then again in mid-November, Bracey referred to a number of violations including touching money and then handling food, managers working in the food preparation area without wearing gloves or hair-nets, and employees scratching their hair and faces and then failing to wash their hands.
Responding to the complaints while slouched in his chair, Boston Market manager Melvin Wong argued that managers aren't required by the food chain to wear hair-nets.
"At our company, we like the customer to know who the manager is," said Wong.
"So the more important thing is the image and not the quality of the food?" retorted an incredulous DiRusso.
After Rolli asked Wong whether he could amend the situation, the Boston Market employee gave assurances that their restaurant's poor track record would drastically change.
"We will do whatever it takes to make sure people are following proper procedure...As I handed out the checks this week, I said, 'this is your last check unless this problem gets resolved," said Wong.
However, Bracey warned Wong that during his two inspections of the restaurant, very little seemed to change.
"I believe Melvin and I think his heart's in the right place. But when I went there the second time, it was clear that it went in one ear and out the other. You can tell them to do it until they're blue in the face but once you leave, they do whatever they want," Bracey commented.
According to Rolli, with the holiday season approaching, the Board of Health will conduct future inspections of both the restaurants to ensure compliance.
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