Iowa Inspectors Cite Dozens of Restaurants for Severe Food Safety Violations and Mice Activity
State, city, and county inspectors in Iowa have issued citations to numerous restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations over the past several weeks. These violations include unsanitary kitchens, the presence of rodent droppings, long-expired food products, and buffets serving food at unsafe temperatures. At least two establishments were temporarily closed due to the severity of the issues identified. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which oversees food establishment inspections at the state level, is responsible for these findings. Specific examples of violations include mouse-like droppings found in dry-storage areas and janitor's closets, excessive fruit-fly activity, and cold units failing to maintain proper temperatures for perishable foods like pasta salad and deli sandwiches. Inspectors also noted improper cooling methods for cooked foods, such as ribs, and the presence of unapproved insecticides in kitchens. Several establishments were found to have expir... 
