Rodent droppings, missing expiration dates & more at Midlands grocery stores with worst inspections

Improper handwashing, food kept at improper temperatures and rodent droppings were among the list of violations South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control inspectors found in Richland County grocery stores.

The department conducted 173 inspections from Jan. 1, 2023 until March 17, 2024, some were routine, others follow-ups.

Most received As, including all national chains such as Publix, Food Lion and Walmart.

A routine inspection on Oct. 8, 2023, at Tienda Mexicana El Mariachi on Decker Boulevard scored 74. The inspector found an employee washing lettuce in the handwashing sink and washing dishes without sanitizing them afterward. Various foods were found to be at improper temperatures such as cheese chiles rellenos 91 F, beef chiles rellenos 119 F., milk 48 F, tomatoes 52 F, eggs 48 F, beef 50 F and cheese 53. Ready-to-eat food did not have proper markings.

Household pesticides were seen inside the facility. Several pans of cooked foods were sitting on the floor and food was stored on top of raw wood in the walk in freezer.

There was “white thick buildup blocking drainage openings on storm drain” and corn husk and other food debris on drain coverings.

At the follow-up visit on Oct, 12, an inspector saw an employee rinsing a pot in a hand sink and food was on top of raw wood in the walk-in freezer.

The store scored an A on Dec, 1, 2023 in a routine inspection and 98 in a follow up on Dec. 11..

Hyun Dai Oriental Grocery, also on Decker Boulevard, was inspected five times in 2023. It received a 75 during a routine inspection on Jan. 31, 2023. Among the violations listed were an employee rinsing gloves in lieu of proper handwashing, touching ready-to-eat food with their hands, blocked hand sink in the main kitchen area and food at improper temperatures, including cooked fish sitting out at room temperature before being moved to a display case.

Ready-to-eat food such as kimchi, cooked vegetables, and cooked fish did not have dates and some fish and other grab-and-go items were not labeled with major food allergens. “Observed rodent droppings throughout facility,” the inspection report said.

Boxes of food were stored on the floor and some equipment had rusted sides. Drain board next to the produce sink was made of raw wood. And display coolers leaked water onto the floor.

“Observed trash and miscellaneous items stored outside near the back doors,” the report said.

The boxes were still on the floor during a follow-up inspection on Feb. 10 and trash was seen by the back door. The business received a 95, an A.

On March 30, 2023, an inspector saw an employee touch ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and food without preparation dates.

Rodent droppings were seen throughout the facility.

There were holes in the ceiling above the wall display cooler and freezers.

Loosely covered raw beef was stored over an open bucket. Ready to eat noodles with cooked vegetables and vegetable pancakes in a walk-in cooler did not have date markings.

The store was given A ratings on a routine inspection on April 6, 2023 and followup on April 13, 2023.

DHEC inspected Mr Bunky’s Market on Garners Ferry Road in Eastover on July 10, 2023 for a routine inspection and gave them a B. an 83..

An inspector found water from faucets at handwashing sinks were 69 F. State rules say the minimum is 100F.

Potatoes were stored under raw meats in the walk-in and the meat grinder was not clean. In the walk-in, which the inspector said lacked proper cooling, pork shoulder, bacon, pork chops, beef were found to be at improper temperatures, as were these foods in the two deli coolers: liver pudding, bologna, mild sausage, and onion sausage.

DHEC went back three more times before the store earned an A rating on July 24.

Super Acapulco on Beltline Boulevard scored 78 — a C — on Dec. 13, 2023. Violations noted were ready to eat chicharrones stored in cardboard boxes previously used for the storage of raw proteins, an employee splashed water containing juices from raw proteins into uncovered containers of ready to eat food while flushing the walk-in cooler floor with hose. Meat slicer was not clean, no date marking system for ready-to-eat food such as tamales and salsa.

Dead roaches were seen near a water heater. Food was stored on the floor and in garbage bags and left uncovered in a walk-in cooler.

Black buildup and grooves were found in a cutting board. An employee flushed water containing raw meat juices from a walk-in cooler onto the floor and into the parking lot.

This story was originally published March 20, 2024 at 6:00 AM.