Two I.P. stores cited for food safety violations

The New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets inspected over 2,000 food stores on Long Island between May 15, 2014, and June 5, 2015, and cited almost 100 for food violations — two of them in Island Park.

Hissho Sushi, in the King Kullen at 4601 Austin Blvd., was cited on April 4 for one “critical” and several “noncritical” violations, including hand-washing facilities that were improperly installed or maintained; water temperature that was not high enough and did not have adequate pressure for food processing or the cleaning of equipment, utensils and containers; refuse containers that were not clean, covered, in good repair or removed at sufficient intervals; equipment that was improperly designed, constructed or maintained; and packaging materials that were unclean, improperly stored or handled in an insanitary manner.

Fruit Warehouse, owned by K J and J Fruit Market Inc., at 33 Saratoga Boulevard, was cited on April 4, for several “noncritical” violations, including a lack of proper cleaning and sanitizing equipment; inadequate design, construction and use of space; and food that was not stored properly in order to prevent contamination.

Violations listed as critical are those that could lead to food-borne illness and mean a failed inspection.

Dr. Aaron Glatt, an infectious disease specialist at South Nassau Communities Hospital, explained that there are a range of potential pathogens that can be transmitted when standards for cleanliness are not met. “If the problem is that the hand-washing is placed further away from the food handling area than recommended, then it isn’t so bad,” Glatt said, “but if [employees] aren’t washing their hands, then there’s the potential for infection. We put food handling laws in place to prevent these types of things.”