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Columbia mall restaurants re-open following cockroach infestation

Two Columbia mall restaurants have reopened after a Columbia Department of Health and Human Services inspection found 19 code violations.

Two Columbia restaurants: Famous Cajun Grill and Stir Fry 88 reopened Wednesday after making changes to their operations following a failed health inspection by the Columbia Department of Health Services.  In the first inspection of the restaurants, the department found unclean food contact surfaces, storage of raw food with ready-to- eat food and a cockroach infestation.

After deep cleaning and pest control servicing, the two restaurants passed a second inspection to reopen business.  Kala Gunier, environmental health director for the Columbia Department of Health and Human Services, said that although the two restaurants passed their second inspection now, the department will be on the lookout for in the future.

“Well the biggest thing to remember is that a food inspection is really just a snapshot in time," Gunier said. "So when one establishment may be perfect the one time you go in there, in two or three months when you go back because of changes in staff or a change in a manager or change in a menu even, it could be a completely different scene than you’re accustomed to walking into.”

Gunier said consumers can be proactive in choosing safe places to eat by watching employee interactions such as hand washing, glove use and asking questions about the food preparation.  The health department plans to maintain contact with the pest control provider working with the two restaurants to prevent further contamination issues.