Posted: April 2nd, 2009 - 12:24pm by Katie Filion

A news station in Austin, TX has used the name-and-shame approach to expose restaurants in the area that failed health inspections in 2008. KVUE.com reports that 96 of the 6,000 restaurants inspected in the county failed health inspections in the past year. Highlights from the article below, with my favorite, Mr. Natural on Cesar Chavez, first.

[T]he restaurant that had the worst score in the Austin-Travis County area for 2008. It's a place that is supposed to be good for us… it's 100 percent vegetarian. Critical violations include grain beetles in the bulk flour bin and an accumulation of food particles or mold on numerous surfaces including the ice machine, the waffle iron, and the interior of the bakery freezer. Since that failing score Mr. Natural has passed with scores of 76 and 72…

China Buffet got a score of 55… inspectors found an unknown liquid dripping in a container plus filth on the walls, doors, fans, floors and sides of equipment. It cleaned things up and scored 90, 84, and 83 on follow up inspections...

Cancun Mexican Restaurant [received a score of] 50. The inspector watched a cook handle raw beef then fail to properly wash his hands or wear gloves before handling ready to eat tortillas. Employee prescriptions were found next to the toaster. It was checked three more times last year scoring a 71, an 82, and 79 on follow-up inspections.

In Austin restaurant inspection results are available on the City of Austin website. Consumers can search an establishment, like Mr. Natural, and view the most recent inspection score. Establishments are scored on a 100-point system, with points being deduced for violations. Less than 70 requires re-inspection.