NBC-17 Investigates: Critical violations in food courts

Chances are you have eaten at the food court at a local mall. It's quick, convenient and often tasty. But is it safe?

Online inspection reports for Durham, Wake and Cumberland Counties show almost every food establishment in every Triangle-area mall had some sort of health violation, including critical violations that can pose immediate health risks.

"All of those critical violations -- things that cause food-borne illness -- are the items of inspection that we focus on," said Larry Michael with the N.C. Division of Public Health.

Health inspectors, under the umbrella of the North Carolina Division of Public Health, check food courts a few times each year.

Between January 2011 and January 2012, inspectors found "soiled utensils stored as clean" at the Big Easy restaurant inside Crabtree Valley Mall. At Kabobi, inspectors found greasy tubs, dirty wash water and food stored at dangerously high or cold temperatures.

Also at Crabtree Valley Mall, inspectors witnessed Mandarin Express employees handling raw chicken, and then cooked chicken without washing their hands. And at the always busy Andy's Burgers, Shakes & Fries, a food worker handled frozen meat with gloved hands, and then handled cheese slices and other foods while wearing the same gloves.

A representative for Andy's Burgers, Shakes & Fries contests that its meat is "individually pre-wrapped in paper from the manufacturer to prevent cross-contamination."

"It is always kept wrapped until actually cooked," the representative said. "We have addressed this issue with our staff to make sure proper cooking and handling procedures are correctly followed at all times."

At Triangle Town Center, the Sakura Japanese Cafe racked up a host of violations, including cross contaminating raw and cooked chicken, and a live roach crawling across the floor.

Other food court restaurants had critical violations as well. But if you think you can avoid the food court and head over to nearby upscale restaurants, inspectors found violations there too.

At Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, for example, inspectors found pans with food on top of trash cans, and dishwashers touching clean dishes with dirty hands.

The manager of Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, however, explained that food safety is of the restaurant’s highest importance.

"The results of the recent inspection at our restaurant in Raleigh ... were a 95 rating and any violations were immediately addressed," the manager said. "We appreciate and are grateful for the loyalty and support of our customers since we first opened in Raleigh in 2008."

Not surprising, food court customers were shocked about the findings.

"That makes me queasy just thinking about it," said one woman.

Another added, "That's really disgusting, actually."

Inspectors say most of these critical violations are corrected during the inspection. However, they often reappear in future inspections.

Health officials say large volumes of food production and carelessness are often to blame for sanitary issues.

"I think when it gets busy, a lot of people have a tendency to cut corners," Michael said.

Michael also says these violations should be taken seriously, because food-borne illness could cause serious health problems.

Many of the violations found in these food courts are not much different from any sit down restaurant. For those who don't want to give up their favorite food stand, Michael says customers should "watch how they are handing the food, ask questions [and] make sure they know that you are watching."

Michael also says it is good to ask for the foods on the bottom of a buffet tray, because it means the food is closest to the heat as opposed to food displayed up top.

Health officials say individual malls are not responsible for these food court stands; rather the individual owners are responsible.

Attempts to contact the managers of the establishments mentioned in this report were not immediately returned.