State closes Arby’s for food violations

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Independent staff

GALLUP — The state of New Mexico Environment issued an immediate suspension on Nov. 5, to Arby’s, 840 North U.S. Highway 491, after violations were found; seven high-risk violations which included an active water leak and a broken latch in the walk-in freezer, which was a repeat violation that was not fixed; an ice mound from the leak in the freezer; food covered with ice; damp cleaning rags not stored in sanitizer; 22 sandwiches held at temperatures between 95 and 116 degrees, which were voluntarily disposed; a faucet at the hand wash and mop sinks leaking onto the floor near the back door; drain line from the three-compartment sink leaking into a bucket prior to the grease trap; a meat slicer covered with meat debris.

Three moderate-risk violations included surfaces and doors of counters have damage, food contact surfaces not cleaned after each use and prep counter surfaces and shelves covered with food debris.

Five low-risk violations included employees not consistently wearing hair restraints, damaged and missing floor tile throughout the facility, damaged wall coverings, food residue on vertical surfaces, dust and debris buildup on horizontal surfaces, damaged ceiling tiles over food preparation area.

The high-risk violations are required for the facility to reopen and a follow-up inspection will be done on Nov. 10.