GGC food court receives unsatisfactory health inspection

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has learned the food court at Georgia Gwinnett College has failed its most recent health inspection.

Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh began looking into the issue after receiving several tweets and emails from concerned students and parents.

The failing score of 64 is posted on the food court's most recent health inspection report, which is hanging in the food court for all to see.

"It was so surprising to me because usually they have good food and good service and everything," said GGC student Maymol Jacob.

The Gwinnett County Health Deparment was at GGC on Friday for a routine visit. The visit earned the food court the lowest possible grad, U or unsatisfactory.

Kavanaugh obtained a copy of the complete report online. Among the violations:

• Employee using gloves to handle raw chicken and perform other tasks

• Vegetables stored below raw chicken in cooler

• Unused equipment collecting dust and debris

"It's a school, a school establishment so you'd expect it to be a little higher," said student Sahil Sethi.

Kavanaugh contacted GGC about the failed inspection and was referred to their food services vendor, Sodexo.

A spokesperson emailed Kavanaugh a following statement saying, "At Sodexo we take pride in our longstanding, strong performance in food safety and we maintain strict adherence to food safety procedures and guidelines that lead to clean, safe operations and nutritious food.

"We welcome health inspections and when they reveal issues that are not up to specific standards, we take immediate action to address those issues, often before inspectors leave the location. This was, in fact, the case at Georgia Gwinnett College.

"Historically, our inspection results at this location have been stellar scoring above 90 since 2009. The attention we place on timely corrective action speaks to our integrity, the way we conduct our business, and our commitment to food safety and the people and communities we serve."

According to the Gwinnett County Health Department's website, during previous inspections, the food court received all A's and one B going back to 2008.

Still some students need more convincing.

"They're going to have to do another health inspection and change the grade," said GGC student Becca Masse.

The school indicated they were ready for a follow-up inspection. The report said an inspector would be back out within three to 10 days from the original failed inspection.

WSBTV