HARRISBURG -- The same day a food service executive apologized for unsanitary conditions that forced the Capitol cafeteria to shut down for three weeks, health inspectors found more rodent droppings and other unsanitary conditions.

The inspection was conducted Monday, even as the House State Government Committee grilled an Aramark executive about problems uncovered in a December inspection.

Monday, inspectors found rodent droppings in food preparation areas, including in a mixing bowl. Among other problems, they found that jars of pickles were being stored on the floor, that chicken and hotdogs were not being kept at the proper temperature, that a bottle of chocolate sauce was left unrefrigerated, that a hairnet was in a sink and that boxes blocked access to a hand-washing sink.

Most of the violations were immediately corrected and did not require the cafeteria to be closed.

According to Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, the unannounced walk-through was intended to ensure Philadelphia-based Aramark was implementing proper food safety protocols and procedures. None of the violations required the facility to close under state law.

"We are disappointed in the number of violations found on Jan. 25, especially after Aramark assured us that they had improved their operations after the state closed the facility last month," said Mr. Redding.

James Creedon, secretary of the Department of General Services, which oversees buildings and grounds, is disappointed, too.

"We continue to be frustrated by Aramark's lack of attention to detail since the violations found on Jan. 25 could easily have been corrected," he said. "It was made very clear to Aramark that they are accountable for managing the Capitol Cafeteria properly, maintaining a clean food preparation environment, and training staff to follow proper protocols."

Aramark spokeswoman Sarah Jarvis could not be reached for comment.

Continued violations could jeopardize Aramark's contract.

Redding said the department would continue to conduct unannounced inspections on a monthly basis for at least the next six months.

Before December, the cafeteria had not been inspected in four years.

Meanwhile, Mr. Redding is asking the Senate to approve legislation that would give the Department of Agriculture stronger oversight of restaurants. The bill already has passed the House.

Opponents have said that existing laws prohibit the kind of violations found in the cafeteria, and that new laws won't help.

The inspection report is available online at www.agriculture.state.pa.us under the "e-services" link.

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