Protecting the health and safety of all who eat at Mercer County’s food-service establishments is a top priority of the Mercer County Health Department. The health department routinely provides food safety training for the county’s restaurant personnel, in addition to conducting at least two unannounced inspections each year. 

Key items of concern during inspections include employee practices and cleanliness, food protection during storage and preparation, cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and utensils, insect and rodent control, and the storage and use of toxic materials. A perfect inspection score is 100 — points are subtracted when department guidelines are not met. In general, the lower the score the lower the level of sanitation; however, a low score does not necessarily imply an imminent health risk.

Here’s what the scores mean: A rating of 85 or above with no critical items indicates a passing inspection. Scores of 70 to 84 with no critical items require re-inspection within 30 days or less. Facilities that do not correct sanitation problems during the allotted time face possible permit suspension. Establishments that score between 60 and 69 are issued a “Notice of lntent to Suspend Permit” and are afforded the opportunity for an administrative hearing to show cause as to why the facility’s permit should not be suspended. State law requires closure of any establishment with a rating of 59 or less.

An establishment also must cease operation if conditions exist that pose an immediate public health threat. Any establishment whose permit has been suspended can make application for a re-inspection for the purpose of permit reinstatement. If the re-inspection reveals the conditions causing suspension of the permit have been corrected, the permit will be reinstated.

There are 13 critical items on the health department inspection form. Regardless of the rating score, these potentially serious deficiencies must be corrected within a time specified by the health department, but in any event, not to exceed 10 days. Serious deficiencies are noted by an asterisk after the establishment’s score.

Food inspections from January through March include:

ABC-123 Day Care Center, 98

Burgin Dairy Barn, 100

Burgin School cafeteria, 100

Circle J. Enterprises, 95

God’s Tree House Academy cafetaria, 100

Granny’s Diner, 98

Haggin hospital cafeteria, 100

Harrodsburg Christian Church, 100

Harrodsburg Health Care, 100

High Mountain Steak House, 94

His Kids Christian Learning Center, 98

King Middle School cafeteria, 100

Kroger deli L-363, 98

Loafer’s Grill, 95

Mercer County Elementary School cafeteria, 100

Mercer County Intermediate cafeteria, 100

Mercer County High School cafeteria, 100

Minit Mart #43, 96

Pap John’s Pizza, 98

River Market LLC, 98

Sonic Drive-in, 98

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 100

Subway #7982, 100

Subway North, 100

Two Sisters Sandwiches and More, 95

Village Inn, 96

Wah Mei Restaurant, 93

Walmart Supercenter #519, 98

Wendy’s, 98

Wyonnette’s Restaurant, 100