The dining facilities in McMindes Hall on the Fort Hays State University campus received an inspection from the Kansas Department of Agriculture after a complaint was issued to the department. After the inspection last Wednesday, the facility was cited for violations including dirty food contact surfaces, food temperature violations, expired food, mold growing on equipment and a lack of proper food labeling, according to the KDA report.
The inspection found 4 priority violations, the most severe that the department issues and 1 priority foundation violations. The KDA can require a re-inspection if more than three priority violations are found during a visit. A follow up inspection has been scheduled by the KDA for Saturday, Sept. 21, according to the report.
As part of standard procedure the KDA will issue a warning letter to Chartwells as a reminder of the violations, and the legal and financial repercussions of another inspection leading to violations, according to the KDA website.
Adam McMiller, director of dining services at FHSU, refused to comment on the inspection being the result of a complaint being sent to the KDA.
“I was brought in to offer support to Chartwells and the university as the director of dining services. I’ve been here since January (2012),” McMiller said, in a story printed in the University Leader last year.
“Everything that was part of the inspection was addressed immediately,” McMiller said. “Some of that is a training issue…some is procedural that we have addressed.”
“From a customer service standpoint I didn’t feel any students were in danger,” McMiller said.
The KDA preforms these inspections at food service establishments at regular intervals, this inspection, however was issued due to a complaint being given to the department, according to the report. This was the first inspection of 2013 at this location.
The facility is operated by Chartwells, the same company that operates all of the eating facilities on campus. The company won the contract to continue operations at FHSU last year.
The full report can be found on the KDA website at http://www.ksda.gov/direct.aspx?reportName=WWRQST2Insp&inspID=58002527.