You might want to do your research before the next time you go out to eat.Some Chatham County restaurants have not been inspected in over a year. Restaurants that cook and serve food on-site are supposed to be inspected twice a year.The Environmental Health office in Chatham County said it’s experiencing a staffing shortage, with five out of 15 positions vacant since the summer of 2024.Officials said the department now operates at two-thirds of its ideal staffing level.“Just like any other profession, any time there are vacancies within critical workforce positions, what that does is increase the workload of the other staff members,” said Lauren Baker-Newton, the environmental health manager for the Chatham County Health Department.Restaurants like Chinatown Buffet on 309 Highway 80 W, Carey Hilliard’s Restaurant on Abercorn Street, and Chimney Creek Crab Shack on 40 Estill Hammock Road, have not been inspected in at least a year, but that doesn’t mean the facilities have bad scores.In Pooler, the Chatham County Health Department said the New Super Buffet received anonymous complaints about having broccoli worms in their food this month. WJCL 22 News checked the health department’s website early last week and saw the last inspection was Feb. 27, 2024, with a passing score of 92% A. But after the complaints, a new inspection was done last Wednesday, dropping the restaurant’s score to a 76%. Baker-Newton said complaints are investigated within 72 hours, but if the complaint involves an imminent health hazard, such as sewage backups or a fire, that will be investigated within 24 hours. “If there are critical violations that are found, inspectors are not leaving the facility until those violations are corrected. However, that does not change the score that the facility would receive,” said Baker-Newton.You can look up Georgia restaurant inspection scores here and South Carolina inspection scores here. To file a complaint, visit the Chatham County Health Department’s website.The Chatham County Health Department said it is actively recruiting health inspectors. The specific job title for which to apply for the position is Environmental Health Compliance Specialist.”We are also diligently working with our HR department on recruiting so that we can fill those vacancies,” said Baker-Newton.
You might want to do your research before the next time you go out to eat.
Some Chatham County restaurants have not been inspected in over a year. Restaurants that cook and serve food on-site are supposed to be inspected twice a year.
The Environmental Health office in Chatham County said it’s experiencing a staffing shortage, with five out of 15 positions vacant since the summer of 2024.
Officials said the department now operates at two-thirds of its ideal staffing level.
“Just like any other profession, any time there are vacancies within critical workforce positions, what that does is increase the workload of the other staff members,” said Lauren Baker-Newton, the environmental health manager for the Chatham County Health Department.
Restaurants like Chinatown Buffet on 309 Highway 80 W, Carey Hilliard’s Restaurant on Abercorn Street, and Chimney Creek Crab Shack on 40 Estill Hammock Road, have not been inspected in at least a year, but that doesn’t mean the facilities have bad scores.
In Pooler, the Chatham County Health Department said the New Super Buffet received anonymous complaints about having broccoli worms in their food this month. WJCL 22 News checked the health department’s website early last week and saw the last inspection was Feb. 27, 2024, with a passing score of 92% A. But after the complaints, a new inspection was done last Wednesday, dropping the restaurant’s score to a 76%.
Baker-Newton said complaints are investigated within 72 hours, but if the complaint involves an imminent health hazard, such as sewage backups or a fire, that will be investigated within 24 hours.
“If there are critical violations that are found, inspectors are not leaving the facility until those violations are corrected. However, that does not change the score that the facility would receive,” said Baker-Newton.
You can look up Georgia restaurant inspection scores here and South Carolina inspection scores here. To file a complaint, visit the Chatham County Health Department’s website.
The Chatham County Health Department said it is actively recruiting health inspectors. The specific job title for which to apply for the position is Environmental Health Compliance Specialist.
“We are also diligently working with our HR department on recruiting so that we can fill those vacancies,” said Baker-Newton.
link
