Most common Baltimore Farmers Market inspection violations

BALTIMORE - An ABC2 News investigation looked into inspections of the vendors who cook and serve food at the Baltimore Farmers Market.  We obtained the inspection reports for the latest check in June of 2012 and found some violations are more common than others.

According to those records, one violation happens much more frequently than the others.  On the inspection form from the Baltimore City Health Department, it's listed as #16 - Adulteration, spoilage and contamination prevention practices during food preparation, storage and display.  The inspections show that in many cases these violations were cited when the vendors didn't have a canopy or covering to protect their stand from debris that might fall from the overpass and potentially land in the food they were preparing.  This violation was also cited in market reports when inspectors found equipment and food stored on the ground.

Another common violation is listed on the inspection forms as #17 - Personal cleanliness.  For the most part in the most recent inspections at the Baltimore Farmers Market, this violation was cited when food handlers were spotted without hair restraints.

The last common violation is considered a critical item according to the health department.  It's listed as #6 - Cold/Hot holding temperature.  That violation, according to the reports, was issued when food was spotted at stands outside of its required storage temperature, which creates a potential hazard experts say could make you sick.  In many of the inspections, the food was removed from service completely or simply re-heated or re-chilled to its proper temperature according to specific guidelines.