Public health report: Health department identifies violations in some restaurant inspections, issues Hardy Pond advisory

Waltham’s July Health Department inspections turned up code violations in eight food preparation businesses, all of which were promptly corrected by the department-set deadline.

The one critical violation inspectors identified, a broken hot water tap, was repaired within 24 hours.

Between June 24 and July 31, inspectors inspected 49 food preparation locations around the city, including 38 restaurants. Waltham’s Health Department regularly inspects locations around the city that sell and handle food and tobacco to ensure they comply with the city’s safety regulations. It’s common for establishments to have minor violations during inspections, and when the department finds any violations, it gives business owners a deadline to correct them. 

Health Department Inspector Ivan Colon said that if the Health Department finds a violation that causes immediate and severe health concerns, or finds three or more health violations it deems “critical,” it will close the location until it determines the business is safe for patrons. 

Its inspectors also investigate complaints about pests, trash management on private properties and other environmental hazards. As of publication, the Health Department had not provided information about its July health complaint investigations. Colon wrote that the department is currently “limited in staffing,” and still in the process of hiring a full-time administrator.

Colon also warned residents of a cyanobacteria advisory at Hardy Pond; the city has warned residents not to swim in, enter or drink from the pond while the advisory is in effect.