More health violations at Chinatown eatery
Joy Tsin Lau, the Chinatown eatery where 100 lawyers and law students were sickened in February, received another scorching helping of criticism last week from the city health department.
Joy Tsin Lau, the Chinatown eatery where 100 lawyers and law students were sickened in February, received another scorching helping of criticism last week from the city health department.
The dimsum restaurant "does not have adequate refrigeration equipment (or the) capacity to maintain all refrigerated foods at a temperatore of 41 degrees or below," department inspector Thomas Kolb wrote on Thursday.
Temperatures over 41 degrees promote the rapid growth of potentially toxic bacteria. In his report, Kolb noted that at Joy Tsin Lau, jellyfish, duck and bean sprouts were all being held at temperatures of 50 degrees or more.
The inspector also cited the restaurant for two additional serious risk factors - an employee eating in the kitchen prep area and another who did not follow proper handwashing protocols - and seven lesser infractions.
Joy Tsin Lau's attorney did not immediately reply to a reporter's request seeking comment.
Inspection reports show that Joy Tsin Lau has chronically failed to maintain basic food-safety standards. The health department has cited the restaurant repeatedly for not keeping foods at appropriate temperatures.
During the last decade, the city has filed numerous law suits threatening to shut down Joy Tsin Lau, but the restaurant has continued to remain in business. The city has withdrawn each legal action after the health department declared it to be in compliance.
Other than asking the restaurant to close for several hours following the food poisoning incident, the health department has taken no disciplinary action.
"The objective of the process is to bring an establishment into compliance with the regulations," said Jeff Moran, health department spokesman.
Joy Tsin Lau was inspected eight times in 2015.
"If the establishment does not correct violations that are cited during the inspection, it will continue to be re-inspected, be required to return to court, and pay additional costs," Moran said.
"If, at any time, it is determined that conditions exist that are an immediate threat to the public health, the restaurant would be asked to close, first voluntarily, and then, if necessary through a formal cease and desist order."
The restaurant is scheduled for a Jan. 19 hearing in Court of Common Pleas.
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