By Sara Beth Williams–
A sandwich shop in Citrus Heights reopened within 24 hours after briefly shutting down to lack of hot water in early May, according to the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department.
The sandwich shop, located next to the new dessert shop Juice Time in Sunrise Village, was compelled to shut down after an annual inspection on May 6 by the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department found that the facility had no hot water from the faucets at three of its sinks.
Due to the water temperature measuring at only 66 degrees, Firehouse Subs was given a red card by health inspectors, according to an online inspection report, and its health permit was temporarily suspended.
Other less imminent violations were also found but corrected, including several foods that were not at proper holding temperatures. Soups inside three different metal inserts of the over-the-counter warmer trays and meatballs inside two metal inserts measured at temperatures lower than the mandated threshold set by the health department for safe consumption.
According to the inspection report, the warming units were not functioning properly. Hot food items at a buffet or warming tray are required to be measured and maintain 155 degrees for safe consumption, the report states.
A follow-up inspection was held 24 hours later on May 7, upon which the facility passed inspection and was given a green placard.
A green placard indicates a facility has passed inspection. A yellow placard signifies two or more major violations were found, which are typically corrected or mitigated immediately during the inspection process.
Issuance of a red placard represents an “imminent danger to public health and safety” and leads to a suspended health permit until all issues are resolved. Major vermin infestations and other serious hazards prompt a red placard. Reinspection can take place in as soon as 24 hours, upon the request of restaurant management.
The Environmental Health Division’s Food Protection Program conducts, on average, 1,200 food facility inspections per month in Sacramento County, and two percent of inspections result in closure, Sacramento County spokesperson Ken Casparis says.
“Most restaurant owners and operators work quickly to resolve their issues and open within 1-3 days of the initial failed inspection,” Casparis said.
Five percent of facilities on average receive yellow placards, and the rest receive green placards.
Firehouse Sub’s Citrus Heights location currently has a 4.2-star rating on Google reviews with 192 reviews, and a 3.1-star rating on Yelp with 68 reviews.
The restaurant is now fully open and operational and is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
