UPDATE: Cobb Romano’s Macaroni Grill scores 99 on re-inspection

UPDATE at 8:10 a.m. May 13: Romano's Macaroni Grill scored a 99, or A, on its May 10 re-inspection.

ORIGINAL STORY

A Cobb County restaurant has some explaining to do after it received a failing score on its May 2 food service inspection.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill at 3625 Dallas Highway SW in Marietta received a 45, or U, on its inspection conducted by the Cobb & Douglas Public Health Department. Anything below a 70 is considered failing.

The Italian eatery is located on an outparcel at the Avenue at West Cobb. The inspector's report cited the chain restaurant for a number of issues, including the person in charge touching eye glasses, an apron and pants and continuing to prepare salad without washing hands. The person in charge was also unable to demonstrate knowledge of reportable illnesses and symptoms to the inspector.

Romano's also dinged for not having an employee health policy, a certified food service manager certificate posted for public viewing, no soap or paper towels at hand sinks, raw chicken cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature of meatballs holding under 135 degrees inside a steam unit. View the report here.

Other violations include:

• Unable to verify if employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to diseases that can be transmitted through food;
• Bread crumbs, sugar and flour stored in unoriginal containers with no labels;
• Person in charge rinsed a thermometer inside a hand sink in the cook area near the salad station;
• Ground beef thawing in prep sink submerged without running water; 
• View of latest inspection report blocked by wooden board;
• Observed an employee place container on floor to fill with ice;
• Blown light bulbs in dry storage area; and
• Observed vomit and fecal cleanup procedure and supplies.

A follow-up inspection was scheduled on the report, but no date was provided. Jaime Carroll, regional vice president of operations at Macaroni Grill, said the company has “strict standards and guidelines regarding food safety and quality of service.”

“We are taking all necessary actions, including replacement of management and mandatory training of all employees at the restaurant, to remedy the situation immediately,” Carroll added.

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