The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch has issued a red “CLOSED” placard to Doner Shack at 79 South Pauahi St. in Honolulu due to repeated instances of employees not wearing face masks while working.
The Food Safety Branch received a complaint alleging that Doner Shack employees were not wearing masks on Jan. 20.
A complaint inspection was conducted on Jan. 25 and revealed that the establishment’s owner/manager was working with no face mask or covering. A written warning letter was issued to Doner Shack for the violation observed, which stated that a follow-up inspection would be conducted, and a repeat violation would result in closure of the food establishment.
A follow-up inspection was conducted on Jan. 27 to ensure compliance. The inspection revealed that the same owner/manager who was issued the warning on Jan. 25 was working without wearing a face mask or covering.
Due to the repeated violations, a red “CLOSED” placard was issued to the establishment to protect public health. After the red placard was posted by an inspector, the owner removed the placard and refused to close the establishment. This is a violation of HAR 11-50, Food Safety Code, which states in part that a placard must be displayed and may not be removed, subject to a $2,000 fine. In addition, issuance of a red placard is a temporary suspension of a food permit. Refusal to close a food service establishment operating without a permit may lead to fines of up to $1,000 per day. The facility may not legally reopen until a follow-up inspection is requested and a health inspector verifies that all employees are wearing masks at all times.
“It is so critical at this time for all businesses and their customers to pay close attention to pandemic prevention measures and requirements, and for all business owners to ensure that their employees and customers are properly wearing face masks at all times,” said Peter Oshiro, Food Safety Branch chief. “This is essential to curbing the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
The DOH Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawai‘i residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared, manufactured, distributed, or sold. The branch also investigates the sources of COVID-19 outbreaks, food borne illnesses and potential adulteration; and is charged with mitigating the same to prevent any future occurrences. DOH Food Safety specialists strive to work with business owners, food service workers, and the food industry to ensure safe food preparation practices and sanitary conditions.
For more information on the department’s restaurant placarding program go to http://health.hawaii.gov/san/.