Published: November 27, 2008 05:24 pm      

Schools fare well with inspectors

Inspectors with the Orange County Health Department have been busy out scoring area businesses and giving the OK to re-open and going to area schools for inspections.

Not only do schools have to be inspected by the health department, but they also have stringent requirements with their own director of food services. Each district has their own food services director to oversee the school cafeterias.

Overall local schools scored well with scores varying from 89 to 100.

Health Department officials inspect local food establishments at least twice a year to help protect the public from bacteria and foodborne illnesses.

Five field inspectors visit grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores, schools, day cares and the county jail. The inspectors do not set appointments for the inspections, but randomly appear at the locations.

The Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report is a state form the inspectors use as a guideline to determine the amount of demerits given.

The score given to the business is based on a demerit system and a failing score is below 70. If a business scores below a 70, it may have to shut down until the problem is fixed.

The number of demerits given for violations depend on the seriousness of the offense, according to Joel Ardoin, director of the Orange County Health Department.

“The idea of this is not to punish the business owner, but to protect the health of the public,” Ardoin said.

The business is also protected because people would not want to go to a restaurant that is dirty or makes people sick from contaminated food, Ardoin said.

Following are the results of the latest inspections;

• Little Cypress Elementary

5723 Meeks Drive

Score : 100

• Little Cypress Intermediate

2300 Allie Payne

Score : 100

• Little Cypress-Mauriceville Junior High

Score : 100

• Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School

Highway 87

Score : 100

• Mauriceville Elementary

FM 1130

Score : 100

• Mauriceville Middle School

19952 FM 1130

Score : 89

Received demerits for: evidence of insect contamination, evidence of rodent contamination and improper cooling of cooked/prepared food.

• Apple Tree School

9983 Highway 105

Score : 100

• Bear Academy

6647 FM 1130

Score : 100

• Circle K Kiddie Ranch Day Care

116944 Highway 62

Score : 94

Received demerits for: toilet tissue was not on dispenser and the cleaning rags needed to be cleaned.

• Kidz World

1875 Miller Drive

Score : 100