Food inspectors found mouse feces “in most areas” of a Springfield restaurant, including on surfaces that have contact with food, according to a Feb. 6 Springfield-Greene County Health Department food inspection report.
In addition to the presence of mouse droppings on prep stations and tables, cold holders, the ice machine, utensils, the drying rack and slicer, Sam’s Southern Eatery, 1631 S. Glenstone Ave., had violations in regards to cold holding as well as employee handwashing on Feb. 6.
According to the SGCHD report, the manager had to discard hamburger patties, mac and cheese, coleslaw, mayo, sliced tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and lemons that were stored in a sandwich prep cooler that was running at 45 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. The inspector also found a dead mouse in a trap, which was removed by an employee. Additionally, an employee washed their hands with gloves on in the three-vat sink not meant for handwashing.
A re-inspection will take place Feb. 12 to check on mouse feces and the sandwich prep cooler.