WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- We are learning more about a food inspection report for the Butcher Shop Beer Garden & Grill in West Palm Beach. That is the restaurant where a dishwasher employee tested positive for hepatitis A.
The food service inspectors found some good retail practices at the restaurant, but there were some alarming issues that were addressed on site, like a dishwasher employee handling dirty dishes then clean ones without washing their hands.
The health department in West Palm Beach has received 15 to 20 calls from people concerned about being exposed to hepatitis A after learning that a dishwasher employee at the Butcher Shop Beer Garden and Grill tested positive for the virus.
It’s not clear where the employee contracted hepatitis A, but the virus is spread through fecal/oral contact.
A food service inspection report revealed that the inspector witnessed an employee failing to wash their hands before changing gloves and or putting on gloves to work with food.
An employee also handled soiled dishes or utensils without washing their hands.
In-use utensils were stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
An employee was also observed drying their hands on clothes, apron, or a used towel instead of using a paper towel or clean cloth.
The inspector said a wet wiping cloth was not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
Dr. Jeffrey Collins with MD Now Urgent Care warns people that the hepatitis A virus can live on surfaces for a long time, "the virus does last for a long time. It could last for months on surfaces at room temperature, believe it or not, and the only thing that truly kills the virus is boiling food at higher temperatures or cooking food."
The report also found food was "hot held" at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. The inspector says food must be reheated to 165 degrees and kept above 135 degrees.
A lot of these recommendations were corrected on site.
The inspection date was May 17 and inspectors returned to the restaurant the next day.