CHAMPAIGN-URBANA (Chambana Today) — Health inspectors handed out one red placard and four yellow placards across Champaign County this week, uncovering a troubling list of food safety violations — including improper handwashing, unsafe food temperatures, and toxic chemicals stored near food.
Among those cited was Newman Hall by Upper Crust, a University of Illinois residence hall dining facility, which was shut down and issued a red placard after inspectors found repeated food safety problems. Violations included employees handling food without washing their hands, improperly stored sandwiches, and mislabeled food prepared nearly a week earlier than listed.
Restaurants in Campustown and downtown Champaign also faced scrutiny. Qdoba on Wright Street and Kajiken / Kyo Matcha on Green Street each received yellow placards after inspectors found more than ten violations, including handwashing failures, raw meat stored above other foods, and cleaning sprays stored near kitchen utensils.
Tenkyu on Neil Street and Hotel Royer in Urbana were also flagged, though the latter improved enough to move from red back to yellow status.
Officials with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District said each establishment will need to correct violations within days or face possible closure. Follow-up inspections are expected within the next two weeks.