The Howard County Health Department regularly inspects food establishments. Violation of any of eight "critical items" -- those most likely to contribute to food-borne illness -- requires immediate correction or closure of the facility.

Of 43 facilities inspected June 15-28, 11 were cited for such violations. The numbers after the restaurant names and addresses correspond to descriptions below:

Bill's Ranch Exxon, 4235 Montgomery Road (5)

BJ's Wholesale Club, 9011 Snowden River Parkway (5)

Choice Picks, 7178 A Columbia Gateway Drive (5)

Columbia Hilton (t/a Morgan's), 5495 Twin Knolls Road (2, 4, 5)

Fiesta Plus, 9902 Washington Blvd. (4)

Hard Times Cafe, 8865 Stanford Blvd. (4)

High's, 3045 Rogers Ave. (5)

Hunan Express, 6030 Marshalee Drive (2)

Pizza Boli's, 9235 Baltimore National Pike (4, 5)

Produce Galore, 5430 Lynx Lane (4, 6)

Riverside Roastery, 8865 Stanford Blvd. (5)

1. Food obtained from approved sources.

2. Food protected from contamination, spoilage and adulteration.

3. Food workers: Proper hand-washing; restricted if have infection or diarrhea.

4. Potentially hazardous foods properly cooled and refrigerated; adequate refrigeration equipment provided.

5. Potentially hazardous foods held to proper hot and cold temperatures; adequate equipment provided.

6. Potentially hazardous foods cooked and reheated properly; adequate equipment provided.

7. Potable hot and cold running water provided.

8. Sewage properly discharged.

Information: 410-313-2642.

Pub Date: 7/13/99