by Alan McArthur
Landmark reporter

The Barry School and Northland Career Center were recently listed in an investigation into health inspections at Kansas City area school cafeterias.

The two Platte County R-3 Schools were cited with critical violations during recent inspections at the two schools.

According to a letter written by Mike Reik, assistant superintendent, Barry School and the Northland Career Center were cited as having five or more critical violations.

At the Barry School, the Kansas City Health Department found five critical violations in an inspection on Aug. 27, 2008.

The violations include an employee drinking from a cup at the food preparation table, only one employee had a food handler's license through Kansas City out of four employees, there was no sanitizer in a bucket for cleaning utensils, grease was built up on a can opener mounted to a table, and pasta salad at the salad bar was near exceeding 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

A follow-up inspection on Sept. 4, 2008 found no critical violations.

An inspection at the Northland Career Center found five critical violations on Oct. 7, 2008 by the Platte County Health Department.

The violations include cracked spatulas being used, potentially hazardous foods not labeled with a discard date, the microwave was dirty, a slicer was dirty, and mold was found in an ice machine.

In Reik's letter he states, “Barry School kitchen is operated through an outside food service management company and the Northland Career Center instructional kitchen is operated by students. Most of our critical violations can be attributed to food service staff turnover and/or improper employee training. Such violations as improper labeling, using a cracked spatula, and securing food handler's permits are examples that have been cited and will be remedied through improved employee/student training.”

Reik stated the schools have corrected the violations and improved the school’s systems.

“We would like to ensure all students, staff, parents and patrons that our school lunch program is a healthy and safe option. We have corrected the cited violations and have taken the necessary steps to improve our program.”