Shocking! 21 Albany County Grocery Stores Get ‘C’ Grades in Health Inspections
In Albany County, 21 grocery stores received ‘C’ grades during their health inspections. Like restaurants and other food-selling establishments, grocery stores are regularly inspected to ensure they meet health and safety standards. These inspections happen at least once a year and, in some cases, multiple times, depending on the store’s history or compliance level.
The New York State Division of Food Safety and Inspection is responsible for conducting these checks. Their mission is to make sure that food sold in the state is safe for consumers. Each year, inspectors conduct around 35,000 health inspections across New York. These inspections include not only retail food stores but also wholesale establishments, manufacturers, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and more.
During the inspections, several health violations were found at these grocery stores. While some issues may seem minor, others pose serious health risks, and it’s important to address these problems to protect consumers.
Here are some common problems that were reported:
- Handwashing facilities: In some stores, handwashing facilities did not have proper signage reminding employees to wash their hands. This can lead to poor hygiene practices, which is crucial in a food-handling environment.
- Equipment sinks: Some food preparation areas lacked an air gap in the equipment washing sink. This is necessary to prevent contamination of food equipment by keeping clean and dirty water separate.
- Missing labels: Many stores were found to have repackaged products such as bread, beans, frozen meats, chilies, and vegetables without proper labeling. These products did not have ingredient lists, product names, or the store’s name and address. This lack of labeling is not only illegal but can also be dangerous for people with allergies or dietary restrictions.
- Improper door sealing: Some exterior doors, particularly in loading and basement areas, had gaps larger than 1/4 inch. These gaps allow pests, such as mice and rats, to enter the store, which can contaminate food.
- Sanitizing issues: Some stores had weak sanitizing solutions in the cleaning buckets used in food prep areas. Without proper sanitation, bacteria and other harmful germs can spread easily. Additionally, some stores did not have the required sanitizer test devices, which are used to check if the cleaning solution is strong enough to kill germs.
- Pest problems: One of the most concerning findings was the presence of mouse and rat droppings in multiple stores. In one instance, inspectors found 45-50 mixed old and fresh mouse droppings on bags of flour and rice and shelves in various areas. In another case, 30 fresh and old rat droppings were found on the floor and shelves in the retail area, while 50-60 old rat droppings were found in a basement storage area. In one instance, a package of candy was gnawed by rodents, and the product was destroyed.
- Improper food storage: Some stores were found storing food directly on the floor. This is a violation of food safety rules as it increases the risk of contamination from dirt, pests, and other hazards.
The stores receiving these ‘C’ grades now have to address these issues and improve their health standards to avoid more serious consequences in the future. Stores that do not comply with health regulations can face fines or even be shut down until they meet the required standards.
These inspections remind us of the importance of food safety in every step of the process—from production to packaging to sale. Consumers rely on grocery stores to provide them with safe, uncontaminated food, and it’s the responsibility of both the stores and health officials to ensure this standard is met.
If you want to stay updated on which stores are performing well or poorly in their health inspections, you can visit the New York State Department of Health’s website. There, you can view inspection results for restaurants, grocery stores, and other food establishments.