News Summary
Recent inspections conducted by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture have revealed significant health violations in numerous restaurants across Horry and Georgetown County. Out of 275 establishments inspected, some scored shockingly low, raising concerns among locals about food safety practices. The findings included a lack of food handler certifications, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate food storage methods. While some restaurants showed improvements in follow-up inspections, the public is urged to remain vigilant when dining out.
South Carolina Restaurant Inspections Reveal Health Violations and Unsafe Practices
Conway and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina have witnessed a series of restaurant inspections over the past couple of weeks, and the findings are quite alarming. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) inspected 275 restaurants in Horry and Georgetown County from January 31 to February 14. The results of these inspections have left locals wondering what’s cooking behind their favorite dining spots.
How the Grading Works
During these inspections, restaurants were graded on a scale that many are not aware of. A restaurant can score between 88-100 points for that coveted A grade, between 78-87 points for a solid B, and if a place hits 77 points or fewer, it receives a C grade, which definitely raises some eyebrows. Out of the eight restaurants inspected during this time frame, only three establishments scored below 88 points. This means that the majority of our local eateries are maintaining a decent level of food safety and sanitation, but unfortunately, some did raise a few red flags.
Highlights from the Inspections
Let’s take a closer look at some of the restaurants that didn’t meet the standards during the recent inspections:
Little Caesars Pizza #110
Location: 117-D Rivertown Blvd., Conway, SC 29526
Score: 76
- Workers present lacked minimum food handler certification.
- An employee failed to adequately sanitize dishes.
- Handwashing practices were lacking, as one employee did not wash hands between cleaning dishes and prepping food.
- Chemical bottles and cell phones were found stored on food prep surfaces.
- Pizza sauce was not marked with times for safe consumption.
- Ready-to-eat chicken wings were held at insufficiently warm temperatures.
- There was an excessive accumulation of dirt on the floors.
After a follow-up inspection on February 13, the establishment showed significant improvement, scoring an impressive 99 points.
Denny’s #7850
Location: 800 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 78
- Moldy cucumber discovered in a cooler.
- Ready-to-eat foods like macaroni and cheese and cut cantaloupe were stored without marked dates for safe consumption.
- Eggs and pancake mix were kept at inadequate cold temperatures.
- Damaged refrigerator gaskets were noted.
- Food was stored too close to the sink, which is a definite no-no.
- Plastic cutting board showed excessive scoring and needed refinishing.
- Cooking equipment, drying racks, and freezers had grime and build-up.
A follow-up inspection for this Denny’s is scheduled for February 23, so keep an eye out for any changes!
La Olanchana
Location: 4245 Socastee Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Score: 84
- Bulk cheese was broken into smaller portions and stored in unlabelled Ziploc bags for resale.
- The establishment lacked hot water at sinks.
- The dishwasher didn’t have adequate sanitizer levels.
- Accumulation of grease and debris was observed between fryer and stove.
- No certified food handler was present during the inspection.
However, this restaurant also improved its score, achieving a solid 96 points during a follow-up inspection on February 14.
Looking Ahead
The SCDA is vigilant and may lower restaurant grades for consecutive violations, under enforcement action, imminent health hazards, or permit suspensions and revocations. So, what can we take away from all this? While it’s encouraging to see improvements, it’s vital for restaurants to uphold their food safety practices at all times to ensure the health and safety of customers. Next time you’re out enjoying a meal, you might just want to consider what’s happening behind the counter!
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Additional Resources
- AOL: Health Violations Found in Local Restaurants
- Wikipedia: Restaurant Inspection
- Myrtle Beach Online: Latest Restaurant Inspections
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Violations
- Myrtle Beach Online: Inspectors Report Health Risks
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Health Inspections
- AOL: Health Hazards in Local Eateries
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Safety
- Myrtle Beach Online: Health Violation Overview
- Google News: Restaurant Health Standards
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
