Eateries receive violations

Sixteen Cal State Long Beach dining facilities have been issued health code violations since the beginning of the year, according to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.

The Outpost, located on Lower Campus next to the Social Science/Public Affairs Building, garnered the most recent violations after a March 7 inspection.

"They were very minor things like keeping the coffee creamer cool, one of our fans was dirty and there was a small crack in the ceiling," said Clara Gomez, Outpost manager. "Actually it wasn't even a crack, it was a little bit of paint lifting up."

Corrective action was taken and approved by health inspectors at last Thursday's reinspection.

The Health Department conducts inspections randomly three to four times a year and issues warnings to facilities in violation. Those facilities have two weeks to correct the violations or receive another violation and a fine. Summary reports that list areas of violation must be posted within 5 feet of the door following inspections. Complete inspection reports also must be available upon request.

"Sometimes inspectors will show up right in the middle of a food delivery, so there's not much we can do in those cases," Gomez said.

Other campus food locations that have received violations since January are The Nugget, Culinary Wraps and the Beach Hut, all of which had violations in more than one area. The violations ranged from food storage and handling problems to equipment sanitation and maintenance.

Facilities that received violations include: the University Bookstore Convenience Store; Subway; the Boar's Head; the food carts outside FO-2, Brotman Hall, and the University Library; The Chart Room; The Blue Marble Café; Panda Express; Tomassitos; Kikka Sushi and Café Beach. All of the violations were corrected within two weeks, according to health inspection records.

Five restaurants passed inspection without any violations: the University Student Union Convenience Store, the Student Union Candy Counter, Carl's Jr., Taco Bell and the North Campus Food Cart.

The violations worry one student.

"It's scary," said Michelle Tuano, a senior nursing major. "It's really not safe especially on a university campus because they are serving so many students. I'm not too happy about it."

"I wasn't even aware that they posted the inspection results," Tuano said. "I think they should use the letters like they do in Los Angeles, more people notice them."