(Peterson)--A Clay County convenience store was cited recently for food safety violations.

During a September 23rd visit to the Ampride store in Peterson, a Siouxland District Health Department inspector observed a container of sliced turkey deli meat inside the walk-in cooler that showed “the presence of mold.” The meat was discarded. Also, sour cream, French onion dip, raw eggs, raw chicken, and lunch meat inside the cooler were all holding at 45 degrees or warmer and had to be discarded.

In addition, containers of lunch meat were not properly date-marked to ensure freshness and safety and had to be discarded, and the kitchen staff was not completing the sanitizing step when cleaning dishes and utensils. Because the walk-in cooler was unable to keep food at 41 degrees or colder, all of the temperature-controlled food inside was removed and discarded.

The inspection was in response to a non-illness complaint alleging improper holding temperatures. The complaint was deemed verified.

The inspections department reminds the public that its reports are a “snapshot” in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment.