Lexington Health Department Updates Watch List of 160 Restaurants Amid Food Safety Violations

Lexington – The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has issued an updated list as of October 1, identifying 160 restaurants and businesses currently under regulatory scrutiny for food safety violations. This measure aims to safeguard the dining public from potential food-borne illnesses.

Between May and October, at least five restaurants were temporarily shut down due to significant health violations. Notable closures include Common Grounds, which was closed on July 2 due to widespread rodent evidence including feces found on food containers. The establishment reopened a week later after resolving the pest issue.

Mr. Kabab, another restaurant, was closed on July 16 due to refrigeration failures, but reopened the same day after successfully addressing the problem. Similarly, Dumplings Noodles Inc. was ordered to cease operations on August 14 after scoring 52 during an inspection, alongside issues with insect presence. It reopened after fulfilling the health department’s requirements.

Further complicating the food safety landscape, the Thoroughbred Restaurant was closed on October 9 due to scoring a failing mark with several priority violations concerning food temperature controls. However, it managed to reopen two days later with a significantly improved score.

From May 28 to October 1, a total of 24 establishments were newly added to the health department’s watch list, including a variety of food service providers across the county. This updated regulatory approach is intended to eliminate health hazards related to improper food handling practices.

Interestingly, this marks the first reduction in the number of establishments on the watch list in over a year, reflecting an improvement in compliance. As of October, 31 establishments successfully passed inspections that led to their removal from the list.

Restaurants that have improved include Buffalo Wild Wings, Hibachi Buffet, and Texas de Brazil, all of which have demonstrated significant improvements in their food safety practices.

Inspections for food service establishments in Lexington occur at least biannually. The heightened scrutiny schedule aims to catch issues earlier and educate establishments to improve their sanitary practices, enhancing public safety. The health department encourages the public to check inspection scores displayed at restaurants or available online.

For continued efforts in public health, restaurant inspectors systematically identify and monitor establishments showing recurring problems, thereby enhancing overall compliance and safety standards in Lexington.