(Des Moines, Iowa) – A restaurant in Montgomery County is among a dozen establishments in Iowa that were cited for food safety violations in recent weeks. That’s according to a report from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (IDALS). The Iowa Capital Dispatch says the state inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a “snapshot” in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment. You can read a complete report about some of the most serious violations and the establishments that were cited by IDALS, HERE.

In southwest Iowa, IDALS reported that at the Bucksnort (322 E. Coolbaugh St., in Red Oak), during a July 12th visit by inspectors, imitation crab meat was found. The meat was “visibly spoiled with a sour smell” inside one of the coolers. The inspector also reported watching the staff handle ready-to-eat foods with their bare hands, and reported finding multiple unspecified foods that had no date markings to ensure freshness and safety.

In the past month, state and county food inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and grocery stores for hundreds of food-safety violations. (Photo by Clark Kauffman/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

In addition, the staff was thawing food in the basin of the handwashing sink. The inspector also reported, without elaboration, “missing” flooring and “a large hole outside of kitchen entrance.”