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Leavenworth restaurant plans appeal of health officials’ claims

By Shawn Linenberger - | Jul 10, 2002

Western Sizzlin’ in Leavenworth has been fined by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for 10 alleged violations of state food service regulation.

The restaurant, though, has filed an appeal.

The KDHE recently fined the restaurant $4,000 for violations in April and May. On July 2, the restaurant filed its appeal.

The KDHE cited the establishment on April 9 for:

An employee handling soiled dishes and utensils and then clean dishes and utensils without first washing their hands.

Serving ham, cheese and boiled eggs in the salad bar above 41 degrees (the violation was at 53 degrees).

Storing baked potatoes, cooked ground beef and boiled eggs in a walk-in refrigerator for more than 24 hours without a marked date.

Mold on food contact surfaces of a floor-mounted mixer.

Not protecting a hose attached to a faucet with a backflow prevention device.

During the May inspection, employees were cited for the same violations, with the exception of the mixer having mold on it. In May, the restaurant also was cited for using a plastic cart as a prep table for dried food debris on the surface.

Mike Heideman, KDHE director of public information, said the violations weren’t unique.

“That’s not an unusual number of violations,” Heideman said. “However, these are problems that need to be corrected.”

Mohamed Siraj, who has owned the restaurant since February 2001, could not be reached for comment.