THE SITUATION
The Duluth News Tribune reviewed nearly 140 restaurant inspections of all traditional sit-down bars and restaurants in the Twin Ports area over the past year. Of the restaurants in Duluth, 68 percent had at least one critical violation. Of the restaurants in Superior, 65 percent had a critical violation. During that same time, there were no confirmed cases of restaurant customers getting sick from a foodborne illness.
CRITICAL VIOLATION
A violation likely to contribute to a foodborne illness. Violations can range from handling food with bare hands, keeping food at temperatures above or below temperatures that inhibit bacteria growth, or finding rodents or pests in kitchens.
NON-CRITICAL VIOLATION
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A violation less likely to lead to a foodborne illness. Violations can include storing food or clothing in inappropriate areas of a restaurant, not keeping kitchen areas clean enough, or not properly labeling food bins.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you think the restaurant where you are eating isn't clean enough, or if you think you've gotten sick from eating at a restaurant, call the St. Louis County Health Department at 725-5200 or the Douglas County Health Department at (715) 395-1304.
