KAILUA-KONA — An inspection at Costco revealed foodborne illness risk factors resulting in a conditional pass from the state Department of Health.
On Monday morning, the yellow placard posted outside the store indicated an inspection Friday discovered a violation in food temperatures. A re-inspection Monday showed adequate procedures were put in place to rectify the issue.
A green placard — issued to establishments with no more than one violation — has since been posted, according to a DOH report filed Monday.
The Health Department’s inspection was a result of a general complaint.
During the visit Friday, state health inspectors discovered during early morning stocking that food being stocked in deli L refrigerators had the potential to be left out of the appropriate temperature for up to six hours.
“Potential for multiple temp abuse of product over the course of the product’s presence in store,” the March 1 report stated. “There is no time/temperature monitoring of product left out for stocking. Product stocked by vendors is not monitored.”
Foods required for cold storage must maintain a temperature of 41 degrees or cooler.
Seven different foods stored in the deli L aisle were impacted: clam chowder, organic vegetable barley soup, protein noodles, tomato basil soup, chicken alfredo tagliatele, Sabra hummus and protein bars. Their temperatures varied from 43-46.6 degrees. Manapua also was affected.
Changes to correct the issue were made during the weekend, according to a DOH follow-up report Monday.
Forklift drivers have been staging refrigerated foods in the dairy cooler, where the pallets are broken down and set up for stocking. The drivers only place pallets on the sales floor when personnel are available to stock and only when there are large amounts to be stocked, according to the report.
“A systematic approach has been adopted to ensure that products are stocked within an appropriate time,” the report states.
Temperature logs also tracked time and temperature of foods stored on the floor for stocking.
“Violations have been corrected,” the report states. “No other issues noted during the inspection. Green placard posted.”
Attempts to reach Costco were unsuccessful as of press time Monday.
Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.
