A Springfield grocery store had more than 30 containers of expired infant formula on shelves, according to a Springfield-Greene County Health Department food inspection report. Some containers were up to nine months past the use-by date.
Price Cutter No. 20, 335 N. Nolting Ave., had 17 cans of Gerber Gentle baby formula with use-by dates from September 2023 to January 2024 and 14 cans of Gerber Soothe Pro with a use-by date of March 2024 on shelves and available for purchase, according to a June 27 report. The violation was corrected by having the manager remove the expired formula from shelves, according to Eric Marcol, SGCHD’s environmental health program coordinator.
“We do not require a certain method for disposal. In some instances they may wish to speak with their distributor who may offer a credit for returned product past its use by date,” Marcol said in an email. “Our objective is to ensure the expired product is removed from the sales floor, so it is no longer available to the public.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires use-by dates on infant formula. Until the use-by date, the manufacturer guarantees the nutrient content and quality of the formula. After that date, it should not be fed to infants. Additionally, after that expiration date, formula can separate and clog an ordinary bottle nipple, according to the USDA.
Food inspections take place one to three times a year, depending on the type of food served, the population served, difficulty of food preparation and past history. Restaurants preparing food from raw ingredients are inspected more often “than convenience stores that serve only non-potentially hazardous foods, such as popcorn and soda,” according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.
Each report identifies what was happening at the establishment at that time. Consumers who want to know whether a violation is a one-time thing or a pattern are encouraged to refer to previous reports.
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Issues found during inspection fall into either priority or non-priority violations. Priority violations impact the safety of the food, such as cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food, improper food temperature and poor personal hygiene and employee health. Multiple priority violations can lead to an establishment being shut down. Non-priority violations alone do not directly affect food safety, such as dirty floors, sticky tabletops or outside trash cans not being covered.
Here are food inspections from the past week:
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Airhost Ozark (Pre-Security), 2300 N. Airport Blvd., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. A re-inspection will be made on or after July 3 to check refrigeration. One priority violation: Observed front display refrigerator running at 50 degrees Fahrenheit and some potentially hazardous foods were voluntarily discarded, some prepared earlier today were moved to walk-in refrigerator. No non-priority violations.
Airhost Ozark, 2300 N. Airport Blvd., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed.
Amazin’ Asian, 2941 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. June 27 routine inspection. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed excessive clutter of items not used in restaurant, with items of no relevance to restaurant use, which received education; observed no log for time and temp control on fried chicken, education given on log requirements for potentially hazardous food items held at room temperature, a repeat violation corrected on site by marking foods for discard time; observed cardboard and towels used to store items on, education given.
Apple Market – Deli, 500 S. Miller Road, Willard. June 27 re-inspection – Result: active. Fly issue significantly improved, but still some flies in food prep area. Continue to take action to minimize flies. No violations noted.
Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant No. 8274, 1320 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. June 27 routine inspection – Result: Permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed sanitizer is too strong at three-vat sink. No non-priority violations.
Asahi Hibachi and Sushi, 586 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. July 1 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Four priority violations: Observed vegetables at 127 degrees; observed steak at 50 degrees and shrimp at 45 degrees, which were discarded; observed crab at 43 degrees in walk-in cooler; observed ants on food prep table in kitchen. One non-priority violation: Observed no test strips for sanitizer.
Bair’s All-American Sports Grill, 3821 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. July 2 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.
Beef-A-Roo, 3312 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. July 2 routine inspection – Result: active.
Braum’s Ice Cream No. 272, 2555 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. June 25 routine inspection – Result: active. There were some flies in one area of dining room, which should be addressed before it gets worse. One priority violation: Observed chlorine solution at three-vat sink at 10 parts per million but was corrected to 100 ppm at inspector’s request. One non-priority violation: Observed caulking in one hand sink was in poor repair.
Brew 21, Springfield. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.
Burger King, 2138 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. July 2 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed daylight visible along left side of back door leading outside.
Catering Creations, 5000 W. Samuel Cedars Lane, Rogersville. July 2 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.
Chick-Fil-A, 3700 S. Glenstone Outer Road, Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.
Creekside at Elfindale, 1601 S. Fort Ave., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed meat slicer not stored clean, education given and corrected on site. No non-priority violations.
Dairy Queen No. 11131, 2300 W. College St., Springfield. July 2 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed bag of opened whipped cream with no date labeling, education given and corrected on site; observed can opener blade stored not clean, education given and corrected on site. Two non-priority violations: Observed lighting in back area is not covered with protective shielding, repeat violaton and education given; observed ceiling fans and area behind cooking equipment were not clean, education given.
Don Tono Mexican Food, LLC, 1314 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 30 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.
Dunkin’ Donuts, 3310 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed all cold-holding units found without temperature measuring device inside the unit, education given.
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Einstein Bros. Bagels No. 3621, 1922 N. National Ave., Springfield. July 2 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed three cans of jalapenos had dents in seals, education provided and corrected on site. No non-priority violation.
El Charro Mexican Restaurant, 1668 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. July 2 routine inspection – Establishment closed voluntarily due to lack of refrigeration. Two priority violations: Observed lettuce at 48 degrees, diced tomatoes at 47 degrees, sour cream at 48 degrees, etc.; observed ground beef at 44 degrees, briskey at 48 degrees, etc. One non-priority violation: Observed shelf over steam table is chipping.
El Maguey, 631 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed two cutting boards hung for use in the kitchen with heavy scoring, education given; observed expired test strips, education given; observed debris buildup in walk-in cooler on the walls and ceilings, education given.
Elks Lodge No. 409, 2223 E. Bennett St., Springfield. June 28 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed walk-in cooler in main kitchen ambient air temperature measured at 55 degrees, raw ground beef at 55 degrees and mayo tested at 54 degrees, corrected by voluntarily discarding potentially hazardous foods, education provided and re-inspection required; observed bag of pepperoni circles not date marked, large white lidded container of cut lettuce not date marked, upon arrival worker observed date marking boxes on pizza shelf that were not previously date marked, education provided and corrected on site. One non-priority violation: Observed single-service food containers and single-service small sauce containers were stored directly on the floor in dry storage room, education provided and corrected on site.
E’s Inn, 253 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. June 26 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed insufficient sanitizer in three-vat sink, corrected at time of inspection. Non-priority violation.
Fast-N-Friendly No. 16, 501 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. Three priority violations: Observed hot holding cabinet below 135 degrees, education given and corrected on site; observed sanitizer to be exceeding 200 ppm, education given and corrected on site; observed shelled eggs stored over cold cut sandwiches in cooler, education given and corrected on site. One non-priority violation: Observed test strips expired Aug. 1, 2023, education given.
First Watch, 3103 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.
Fusion Eatz, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.
Golden Cuisine, 1520 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed three knives stored dirty with food debris on magnetic rack, manager was notified and corrected on-site by cleaning all three knives and rack were cleaned. Two non-priority violation: Observed multiple boxes of chili garlic sauce stored in employee restroom, corrected on site by relocating to safe location; observed walk-in cooler shelves have built up dust and debris, shelves to be washed and sanitized.
Home 2 Suites By Hilton, 2756 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed sanitizer solution in three-vat sink sanitizing at 500 ppm, corrected on site by employee remixing solution to be between 200 ppm and 400 ppm. No non-priority violations.
Harter House, Deli/Meat Strafford, 421 E. Old Route 66, Strafford. July 2 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed in meat case that chicken breast was displayed over baby back ribs, raw chicken displayed over pork chops, ground sausage and beef displayed over London broil, roast and sirlon, which was corrected on site by rearranging products and education provided. Four non-priority violations: Observed multiple meat and deli items packaged onsite missing information for establishment; observed shelves under tables with meat slicers have dried food debris on them; observed air conditioning unit over prep table by main entrance has condensation and drip, so that water is landing on prep table where meat is tenderized and packaged, re-inspection scheduled; observed floor in walk-in cooler has accumulation of raw meat debris around grinder.
Hy-Vee – Bakery/Retail, 1720 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.
Hy-Vee Produce, 1720 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.
Hy-Vee Convenience Store, 1720 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed two cups of salsa at 47 degrees in condiment cold station, repeat violation, corrected by discarding salsa. No non-priority violations.
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Hy-Vee – Deli, 2150 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.
Infused Catering LLC, 3253 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. July 2 routine inspection – Result: active. Four priority violations: Observed muiltiple cases of raw shelled eggs stored at room temperature, with eggs at 69 degrees, which was corrected by discarding eggs; observed Atosa cold holding unit measured at 59 degrees with several potentially hazardous food items above 41 degrees, which was corrected by discarded food items and owner will retire unit instead of fixing; observed ready-to-eat ceviche, cooked steak, guacamole, pasta salad and cooked eggrolls in walk-in cooler without a date, which was corrected on site and education given; observed three tongs, one knife and one spatula put away dirty and dirty can opener, which was corrected on site and education given. Two non-priority violations: Observed sliced tomato at 54 degrees in ice bath, corrected on site and education given; observed no paper towels or hand dryer at hand sink in kitchen and no paper towels or hand dryer at hand sink by salad bar, education given.
Jade East II, 2435 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed white rice sitting out on a table measured 67 degrees, which was corrected on site by discarding rice; observed fried chicken was cooked and stored inside cardboard box with chicken touching cardboard, corrected by discarding fried chicken that touched box and education provided. Two non-priority violations: Observed employee food stored above food for public consumption in walk-in cooler, education provided, corrected on site; observed cardboard boxes being used to cover shelves and pots/pans stored on top of, corrected on site and education provided.
Jimmy’s Egg, 3837 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed cottage cheese in salad prep table was between 46 degrees and 48 degrees, which was corrected by discarding cottage cheese. No non-priority violations.
Joe’s Route 66 Diner, 201 E. Chestnut St., Strafford. July 2 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed multiple food items above 41 degrees, which was corrected on site by discarding items. One non-priority violation: Observed ambient temperature of Delfield cooler was 54 dregrees.
Jordan’s Inn Chinese Restaurant, 423 E. Old Route 66, Strafford. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed back door leading to outside has gap on bottom left corner; observed buildup of grease and food debris underneath fryers and gas stove area.
Kum & Go No. 472, 1505 N. National Ave., Springfield. June 26 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed multiple items on roller machine one not holding 135 degrees, which was corrected on site by discarding product; observed container of hot dogs and container of jalapeno brats had no date and kitchen employees could not verify when they were placed in container, which was corrected by voluntarily discarding product. No non-priority violations.
Kum & Go No. 473, 620 N. National Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed breakfast croissant in hot holding below 135, which was corrected on site by discarding item and education given. No non-priority violations.
La Habana Vieja, 220 E. Commercial St., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed cooked pork above 41 degrees in cold holding, which was corrected by discarding pork and retiring cold holding unit. One non-priority violation: Observed leaking plumbing from dishwasher, education given.
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La Tropical Mexican Snacks, 1838 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed large line cooler was above 41 degrees, all potentially hazardous food items were voluntarily discarded, education given and re-inspection date set; observed several items past discard date — cut cabbage June 26, condensed milk no date, 2% milk June 26, 1% milk June 21 — which was corrected on site by voluntarily discarding items. Two non-priority violations: Observed gap on bottom of exterior door in back of establishment, education given; observed expired sanitizer strips December 2023, education given.
La Tropical Mexican Snacks, 1838 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. July 2, re-inspection – Result: active. Cold holding unit violation resolved. No violations noted.
McAlister’s, 2300 N. Airport Blvd., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Re-inspection will be on or after July 3 to check refrigeration. Two priority violations: Observed display refrigerator running at 55 degrees, some potentially hazardous foods voluntarily discarded and re-inspection set; observed one hand sink in bar area had water shut off due to not draining properly. One non-priority violation: Observed pan of ground beef sitting in back hand sink.
McBee’s Coffee & Carwash, 1212 W. Kearney St., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Re-inspection will be made on or after July 2. Two priority violations: Observed quaternary ammonia sanitizer in three-vat sink was 100 ppm, which was corrected by adding more sanitizer; observed front prep refrigerator at 49 degrees so potentially hazardous foods were voluntarily discarded. No non-priority violations.
Missouri Farmhouse Cafe LLC, 1537 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed biscuits stored in black trash bag and plastic to-go bags in walk-in cooler, neither of which are food-grade materials, which was corrected on site by transferring biscuits to pans; observed dish machine not dispensing chlorine sanitizer. Five non-priority violations: Observed back of meat-slicer base has buildup of dried food debris, shelving under waffle-maker has buildup of food debris; observed gap along bottom of back door by produce cooler; obsreved walls throughout kitchen and prep areas have dried food splatter on them, floor between make table and wall has buildup of food debris; observed seal along bottom of door by make table is damaged and hanging off door, part of seal for prep table by fryer is peeling from door; observed tile in front of back door by produce cooler missing in places, baseboard under the three-vat sink in dish room is peeling away from wall.
Natural Grocers, 3333 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed cutting boards with excessive scoring and staining.
Neighborhood Pizza Cafe, 3550 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed.
Panda Express No. 3070, 1472 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.
Panera Bread, 2641 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed bakers scoop on storage rack had food debris on it, education provided and corrected on site. No non-priority violations.
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Price Cutter No. 20 Bakery, 335 N. Nolting Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed employee hand-washing sink blocked by trash can and bakery racks, which was corrected on site and education given.
Price Cutter No. 20 Grocery/Meat, 335 N. Nolting Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed 17 cans of Gerber Gentle baby formula with use-by dates ranging from September 2023 to January 2024 and 14 cans of Gerber Soothe Pro with use-by date of March 2024 on shelves, which was corrected on site. One non-priority violation: Observed dairy and meat walk-in cooler vents not clean.
Qdoba Mexican Grill, 2631 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.
Renewed Treasures Ministries, 830 W. Commercial St., Springfield. June 29 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed stuff in hand-washing sink, which was corrected by removing it.
Rerico Brazilian Grill, 3371 E. Montclair St., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. Three priority violations: Observed dish machine not dispensing any bleach, corrected on site and education given; observed bowls put up for use not clean, silverware container has debris and sauce cups put up for use not clean, all of which was corrected on site and education given; observed items from Saturday production not dated including gravy, Alfredo sauce, marinara sauce and whipped cream, corrected on site and education given. Seven non-priority violations: Observed no towels or dryer at hand sink in bar area, which was corrected on site and education given; observed no soap at hand sink in bar area, which was corrected on site and education given; observed debris buildup in walk-in cooler and excessive debris buildup in dry storage under soda syrups, education given; observed missing ceiling tiles above mop sink, education given; observed food containers and cooking utensils stored upright, education given; observed gap on back exterior door, which is a repeat violation and education was given; observed items in dry storage uncovered or protected from cross-contamination, which is a repeat violation that was corrected on site and education was given.
Rise Nutrition,1652 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.
Rocco’s Pizza, 250 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. Discussed cleaning physical facility more frequently and replacing wood ramp into walk-in. One priority violation: Obsreved no sanitizer in dish machine, which was corrected at time of inspection. Two non-priority violations: Observed seal torn on walk-in cooler door; observed mold on non-food contact shield inside ice machine.
Signal Food Store, 2180 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Three priority violations: Observed debris buildup in ice machine, education given and follow-up date set; observed cream in cream dispenser above 41 degrees, which was voluntarily discarded, education given and follow-up date set; observed employee eating while rotating items on hot holding rollers, which was corrected on site and education given. One non-priority violation: Osberved expired test strips (bleach January 2019 and quaternary ammonia February 2017), education given.
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Skybox Grille & Lounge, 1271 E. Montclair St., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.
Smokin Wheels BBQ, 604 N. Main St., Republic. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.
SOAL Kitchen LLC, Springfield. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.
Starbucks, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Milk at 48 degrees and heavy whipping cream at 47 degrees in upright two-door cooler, items were voluntarily discarded and a re-inspection will occur. No non-priority violations.
Starbucks Coffee No. 2860, 3628 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.
Starbucks Coffee No. 50272, 1008 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.
Starbucks Coffee Company No. 62589, 2817 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. June 25 routine inspection – Result: active. One small area of floor under equipment was not clean. No violations cited.
Subway – Walmart, 1923 E. Kearney St., Springfield. June 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed drain under prep sink does not have adaptive coupling.
The Chop Shop Burger, 1535 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.
The Local Lemon, Greene County. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.
Travellers House Coffee and Tea, 2300 N. Airport Blvd., Springfield. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.
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USA Investments MO 214, 125 S. State Highway 125, Strafford. July 1 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed Bayer tablets with expiration date of February 2024 and acetaminophen with expiration date of May 2024 on the shelf, which was corrected by pulling product to return to the vendor. No non-priority violations.
Village Inn, 4222 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. June 27 re-inspection – Result: active. Prep cooler no. 2 has been repaired and is now producing adequate temperatures at 41 degrees or below, small prep cooler is no longer in service. No violations noted.
Wendy’s No. 34, 3339 W. Kearney St., Springfield. June 25 re-inspection – Result: active. All violations cited on previous inspection were substantially corrected.
Whataburger Eastgate, 401 N. Eastgate Ave., Springfield. July 2 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed over-easy cooked egg in hot holding below 135 degrees, which was voluntarily discarded, and hot holding unit could not be adjusted so it was decommissioned until re-inspection takes place. No non-priority violations.
White Oak Station No. 61, 650 W. Kearney St., Springfield. June 27 re-inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Walk-in cooler still not producing adequate temperatures, re-inspection is scheduled for July 8. One priority violation: Observed walk-in cooler still between 50 degrees and 55 degrees, which is a repeat violation. No non-priority violations.
White River Conference Center, 500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations.
Susan Szuch reports on health and food for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
