Health Department gives out Golden A awards
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 2, 2009 1:46 PM
There are fewer Golden A awards being handed out by the Health Department this year, but only because the method for inspecting food establishments has changed.
The annual recognition, for restaurants and food stands, faced several since last year, said Shane Smith, food and lodging supervisor with Environmental Health.
"Before, all facilities that kept (a grade of) 95 or higher for the whole year, without the two-point bonus," he explained. Now, recognition is given to the top 10 in each category, he said.
These days, he said, facilities are divided into different frequencies of inspections based upon how many potentially hazardous foods are sent through the cooking process. For instance, if they cook, cool and save more than three items, they are in a category 4.
Inspections pertain to restaurants, food stands, institutional facilities and school lunchrooms. But even gas stations that prepare hot dogs now fall under the inspection schedule, typically twice a year, Smith said.
"Anything from a gas station to a skating rink," he said. "Even if they do not handle more than two foods, and only cook, heat and serve them."
The bottom line is to ensure businesses preparing food do so in the safest way possible, with an eye toward preventing foodborne illness.
Inspectors adhere to the Center for Disease Control's five risk factors, Smith said, which include good hygienic practices and employee health, how food is stored and handled, making sure food is from an approved source and is cooked, prepared and stored in a way as to prevent contamination.
To quality for the Golden A, the baseline inspection score is 95. Because of the change to how the awards are handed out, competition has gotten a little tougher, Smith said.
"It puts it at a higher standard than just a 95," he said. "You have got to have the top 10 percent in the category. In every category, there's a top notch one with the highest average."
The more stringent approach has caused businesses to pay closer attention to detail, Smith said.
"I think the workers have also changed. They're paying more attention to the sanitation process," he added.
Golden A recipients also get to display a sign in their business, indicating the accomplishment.
Top scorer in each category will be recognized at the Nov. 18 Board of Health meeting.
A listing of the top 10 in each category for fiscal year 2008-09 appears below:
Restaurants
Category 2:
KJM Outreach Center -- 99.75 (highest score)
Goldsboro Golf Course
Snack & Cue
Starbuck's Coffee Company, Wayne Memorial Dr.
Burger King, U.S. 117 South
Schlotzsky's Deli
All Stars Family Fun Center
Fast Eddies Sports Bar
Nahunta Store
Target Food Avenue
Category 3:
George's Grill -- 100 (highest score)
Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course
Grady's BBQ
Roselli's
Best Gas and Grill
Cherry Blossom
Eastern Region VR Food Service
Taqueria Zapopan
Steak Barn
Ya'lls Pizza and Pies, tied with Andy's of Mount Olive and Aggie's Steak and Subs
Category 4:
Fuji Steakhouse -- 99.6 (highest score)
Village Steakhouse and Pub
BJ Café
B & G Grill
Mae's Restaurant
The China House Restaurant
Royal Tea Room
Tiende Flores
Andy's, Spence Avenue
Stonewalls
Food Stands
Category 2:
Domino's Pizza -- 100 (highest score)
Pretzel Twister
General Store
Gurley Store and Antiques
D & H Mart No. 1, S. George St.
Wal-Mart No. 4564 (Seafood), US 70 West
In and Out Convenience Store
Soft T Shop
Friendly Mart No. 8, US 13 South
Pizza Boy
Category 3:
Food Lion Deli No. 2530, Five Points Plaza -- 98.83 (highest score)
Food Lion Deli No.1692 NC 111 South
Creative Notions
Wal-Mart No. 1236 (Seafood), Spence Ave.
Food Lion Deli No. 544 Mount Olive
Wal-Mart No. 4564, US 70 West
Wal-Mart No.1236, Spence Ave.
Roseli Dudley
Carly C's IGA Fish Market
Food Lion Deli No. 2576 New Hope Rd.
Institutional Food Service
Woodard Care -- 99.25 (highest score)
The Pines
Re Nu Life Extended
Fremont Rest Center
Britthaven of LaGrange
Sterling House
Woodard Retirement Village
Sutton's Retirement Center
Brian Center
Britthaven of Goldsboro
School Lunchrooms
Category 3:
Meadow Lane School and Greenwood Middle School -- 100 (highest scores)
Faith Free Will Baptist
Rosewood High School
Rosewood Middle School
Dillard Middle School
Spring Creek Middle/High School
Southern Wayne High School
Goldsboro High School
Brogden Middle School
Category 4:
Spring Creek Elementary, North Drive Elementary and Northwest Elementary -- 100 (highest scores)
Rosewood Elementary
Carver Elementary
Eagle Café
School Street School
Eastern Wayne Elementary
Fremont School
Edgewood Community Developmental School