New Canaan Public Schools cafeterias largely aced their most recent inspections by local health officials.
Each of the schools scored 92 or better (out of a possible 100) during an inspection in the fall by a sanitarian from the New Canaan Health Department, and none was cited for a major, 4-point violation.
Only two schools—East and NCHS—were cited for what’s called a “risk factor” violation (details below).
The overall scores were:
- East School: 93
- South School: 98
- West School: 96
- Saxe Middle School: 95
- New Canaan High School: 92
Just as with restaurants in New Canaan, a school cafeteria is said to “fail” an inspection if it’s cited for a major, 4-point violation, or if violation points assessed total more than 20.
None of the school cafeterias failed during inspections conducted in September and October. The last time each of them did earn a major violation/fail was:
- East School: Jan. 12, 2007 (badly dented cans found in stock room)
- South School: Jan. 23, 2012 (improperly cooled chicken soup)
- West School: June 1, 2010 (cream cheese, butter, sour cream and shredded cheese all improperly stored on top of a tray of frozen ice; overly diluted bleach sanitizer at 3-bay sink)
- Saxe Middle School: Jan. 26, 2012 (dented, 6-pound can of Furmano’s chickpeas stored in dry storage area)
- New Canaan High School: May 4, 2007 (discolored minestrone served at improper temperature)
Here are the details, noted by the sanitarian, at the most recent inspection for each school:
East
Sept. 13—seven violations total:
- Chlorine at 3-bay sink 10 ppm, remake. Should be 50-100 ppm. (this was the “risk factor” violation)
- Remove cardboard from shelving
- Hot water at HWS in kitchen at 128 degrees, in restroom 82 degrees (regulate and adjust to 110-1115)
- Keep dumpsters closed between uses
- Clean gaskets on 2-door RI near 3-bay sink
South
Oct. 4—two violations total:
- Clean soiled gaskets on refrigerator across from front service line
- “Replace light in walk-in freezer
West
Oct. 7—four violations total:
- Remove cardboard under bulk bin – dry storage area; replace with aluminum/stainless
- Hot water at HWS (handwash sink) in restroom at 71 degrees, adjust and maintain between 110-115
- Seal HWS in restroom to wall
- Chicken tenders (hot holding box 175-179)
- Sweet potato wedges (163)
- Milk cooler (43 degrees, just filled)
- Cheese/yogurt (45 degrees)
Saxe
Oct. 8—three violations total:
- Replace small green cutting board
- Clean door gaskets of RI ref unit
- Seal HWS to wall in restroom
- Replace lights in walk-in refrigerator-freezer
- Mop stored in bucket—clean and hang after each use
NCHS
Oct. 2—five violations total:
- Containers dumped in handwash sink – front area – handwash sink only to be used for handwashing (this was the risk factor violation)
- Label liquid and granular items throughout
- Replace small red/beige cutting boards
- Crates used throughout—provide drainage racks for off-the-floor storage
- Hot water at HWS – back kitchen 70 degrees – fix and maintain at 110-115
Editor’s Note: The original headline on this article incorrectly identified Saxe, not NCHS, as having been cited for a minor health violation.