RESTAURANT HEALTH PERMIT SUSPENSIONS

The environmental health division of Orange County’s Health Care Agency conducts routine unannounced inspections of the county’s more than 6,000 restaurants, markets and other food establishments. Inspectors check the physical premises, observe the entire food-handling process and determine compliance with advertising and labeling laws.

When conditions violate state law or applicable county and municipal codes, inspectors can issue notices of violation. If inspectors find during an announced recheck that conditions cited in the notice have not been rectified, they can effectively close the business by suspending its health permit. Inspectors can also issue a summary health permit suspension during a routine inspection if they find an immediate health threat. In all cases, health permits are reinstated as soon as the situation is rectified. Following is a list of January suspensions. Business: Winchell’s Donut House, 202 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente Dates closed: Jan. 3 Reasons cited for suspension: Summary suspension: sewer line to restaurant broken, allowing sewage to flow down alley. Business: Taco Bell, 1017 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente Dates closed: Jan. 12-13 Reasons cited for suspension: Summary suspension: severe cockroach infestation. Business: Westminster Lanes, 6474 Westminster Ave., Westminster Dates closed: Jan. 19 Reasons cited for suspension: Summary suspension: Sewage backup through floor sinks into the bar area. Business: Winchell’s Donut House, 500 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach Dates closed: Jan. 24 Reasons cited for suspension: Summary suspension: Backed-up sewer line with sewage puddled on preparation room floor. Business: Reggie’s Pastry Shop,2708 Via Cascadita, San Clemente Dates closed: Jan. 24-26 Reasons cited for suspension: Summary suspension: Lack of hot water. Business: La Casa Garcia, 531 W. Chapman Ave., Anaheim Dates closed: Jan. 25-26 Reasons cited for suspension: Summary suspension: Lack of hot water at all sinks and toilet rooms. Business: Tily’s Hot Dogs Hot dog cart, 662 Sycamore St., Santa Ana Dates closed: Jan. 29- Reasons cited for suspension: Failure to comply with notice of violation: use of unpermitted foods; unknown food source; vending of unpackaged, potentially hazardous foods. Source: Orange County Health Care Agency, environmental health division