The Iguana Joe’s restaurant at 18319 West Lake Houston Parkway in Humble, Texas has passed inspection after being closed for a Salmonella outbreak in June. No violations were found in the inspection conducted on June 29, 2013, although there is no word on whether or not the restaurant has reopened.
But on several occasions earlier in the month, inspections revealed many food safety issues. An inspection on June 21, 2013 found violations of Good Hygienic Practices. On June 22, 2013, 29 demerits were issued; a number above 20 is “of concern”, according to the Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services Department. Those violations included cross-contamination of raw and cooked foods and violations of Good Hygienic Practices, as well as failure to rapidly reheat foods safely. Public health officials destroyed 17 pounds of food on that visit.
The inspection on June 24, 2013 found that food was not properly cooled, cold foods were not kept below 41 degrees F and hot foods were not kept above 135 degrees F. In addition, hand washing facilities for employees were not adequate, and food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils was not in good repair. On that visit, 45 pounds of food were destroyed.
The demerits were corrected on site, but the restaurant was closed on June 25, 2013 when “failure to address repeated food safety violations” resulted in illness. An exact number of ill persons has not been described; officials have only said “a number of people” contracted Salmonella and some were hospitalized.
