If safety is on your mind when it comes to dining on campus and around Fairfield, the Canisius Hall kiosk is your best bet.
The Fairfield Board of Health conducts periodic inspections of all restaurants in the town of Fairfield, including those on campus. Scored out of 100, points are deducted for minor violations, including problems with utensil storage, to more significant and potentially dangerous issues, including improper handling of raw food.
The Canisius kiosk has scored over a 97 for the past four years, including a score of 100 in 2006. There have never been any major violations cited.
The Barone Campus Center, while never scoring below a 91 in the past three inspections dating back to 2005, had a citation on April 19, 2007, for excessive garbage piled in the dining hall. The problem has since been rectified.
The Stag, with a score of 93, was ordered to clean shelves and empty sinks, as well as defrost and clean one freezer.
In May of this year, the Fairfield catering center was told to wash can openers after each use. It received a score of 90, the lowest of the eating establishments on campus.
Jim Fitzpatrick, assistant vice president of Student Services, said that dining safety is an essential aspect of the Fairfield community.
“Sodexho does monthly inspections,” he said. In fact, Fitzpatrick wishes the town would inspect more often.
“I wish the town did [inspections] quarterly. Once a year is too infrequent.”
Sara Bouley ’09 said she appreciates that Fairfield has not had any major problems with the Health Board.
“It’s very reassuring that the food industry at Fairfield is up to date with health inspections because it is obviously very important,” she said.
However, while eating on campus is a safe bet, leaving the University may pose more of a risk to your stomach.
According to the Board of Health, no restaurants have been recently closed or suspended due to violations, but there have been several citations.
On July 20, a customer found a piece of a latex glove in her cream cheese at Village Bagel on Post Road. The manager said that it was an accident, and employees would be more careful in the future.
On Sept. 17, 2006, a customer complained of severe nausea after eating Egg Foo Yung at Panda IV on Post Road. She was admitted to the hospital, where her doctors confirmed that she had food poisoning. However, a later inspection has since proved there was no improper food handling.
In May of the same year, the Board of Health received a complaint about roaches and dead rats on the roof of Panda IV, in addition to excessive grease dripping into the kitchen. The Board of Health does not handle the roofs of restaurants, but no cockroaches were found in the kitchen and the grease problem has been fixed.
In December 2005, a woman found a cockroach in her wrap at Circle Diner. According to the manager, it was most likely a result of improperly washing produce. An exterminator was called, and the Circle Diner passed its most recent inspection with a score of 85, five points above the minimum score an establishment must receive to pass.
Repeated offenses may change students’ minds about where they will or will not eat.
“The fact that Panda IV had more than one problem in such a short period of time is kind of disturbing,” said Gillian Bonynge ’08.
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