It has been a very busy year for the Department of Health in Philadelphia. Surprise inspections in just the beginning of October alone have managed to shut down two major fast food franchises due to insect infestations while others were closed due to mice and other infractions.

Checkers, a major fast food chain known for its “Crazy Good Food”, faced a mandatory 48 hour shutdown due to a mosquito and fly epidemic. They were additionally cited for having insufficient hot water, unapproved insecticides and just an overall state of uncleanliness. While it had reopened by October 10^th, management chose not to make a statement regarding the issue.

Management at another popular chain, Dunkin Donuts, also declined to make comments regarding their problems this week. Inspectors found that foods were being prepared and stored at temperatures which were warm enough to produce bacteria which could be harmful if ingested.

In September, two Philadelphia area McDonald’s were ordered to close as well. The first happened on September 15 when an inspector came across a broken sewage pipe that was leaking waste water into the basement in addition to mouse droppings in several areas of the establishment. The second McDonald’s eatery was closed down on September 19 for at two days after they were also found to have some level of rodent and insect activity. There was also slime found in the equipment used to make milkshakes.

In an incident in which people actually became sick, legal action has been taken against Joy Tsin Lau after a February banquet left 100 lawyers and law students violently ill. In May, the city filed a lawsuit against the establishment and then in July, one of the individuals who became ill during the banquet also filed a lawsuit. The newest lawsuit brings to light the fact that Joy Tsin Lau has had 249 health code violations over the previous 6 years.

Sichuan Chinese restaurant Chun Hing has had repeated problems due to heavy rodent activity. The first happened in February while the second happened in May. A third failed rodent inspection left the restaurant closed for a week in September. An additional 71 violations, most of them repeat offenses, were noted in only six days.

With this recent rash of health code violations appearing to run rampant through the city of Philadelphia, one must wonder how many other cities throughout the country are becoming nesting grounds for food-borne illnesses. For a more concise list of establishments in Philadelphia to avoid and the reasons why, read more here.

Sources:

Philly.com

Finance.Yahoo.Com