UPDATE • Porky’s Carnitas was allowed to reopen on Tuesday, March 20, according to the Salt Lake County Health Department.
March 19 • A moldy tomato that was about to be “prepared and served,” a cooler that wasn’t keeping food cold and more than four dozen other health code violations forced the closure of a restaurant in West Valley City on Monday.
According to a report on the Salt Lake County Health Department website, Porky’s Carnitas, 3505 S. Redwood Road, was closed for “creating an imminent health hazard.”
Inspectors found 56 health violations; 23 of those are considered “critical” and could negatively affect human health.
The restaurant will remain closed until the owners can fix the problems and health officials deem it safe for the public.
Among the most critical problems:
• A moldy tomato was going to be prepared and served.
• A walk-in cooler was unable to hold foods at or below 41 degrees to prevent them from becoming hazardous.
• Numerous areas in the kitchen were dirty, including shelves in the walk-in cooler, the meat slicer, surfaces around the soda dispenser nozzle and the ice machine.
• Employees did not remove gloves prior to washing hands.
• Personal beverages were found in food preparation areas.
• Chemicals were stored with food equipment.
• Pesticides were stored in the facility.
