A Japanese restaurant in Nitro was reported to have two violations of the food code during a health inspection on Tuesday. Sakura Hibachi will undergo a follow-up inspection after its unsatisfactory performance in the routine inspection. The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department is conducting the inspections.
Please note that the results mentioned here are from an inspection conducted on May 27 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.
Highlights
- Sakura, a Japanese restaurant in Nitro, part of the Metro Charleston area, was cited for violations of the food code.
- The main violation reported at the restaurant was the lack of proper documentation for the employees.
- The restaurant is scheduled for a follow-up inspection to verify compliance to the provisions of the food code.
Sakura to Face Follow-Up Inspection
- Where: 230 Nitro Market Place, Cross Lanes, WV 25313
- When: May 27, 2025
Sakura Hibachi serves sushi and Japanese cuisine at affordable prices in the city of Nitro, which is a part of Kanawha County and is considered a part of Metro Charleston. The restaurant offers dine-in as well as take-out services.
During the hour-long inspection conducted at the restaurant on May 27, health inspectors revealed a total of two violations. One was a core violation, and the other was a priority foundation violation. No priority or repeat violations were reported.
Violations Reported
The priority foundation item was that the person in charge was not performing one of their duties. All five employees at the restaurant were did not possess valid food handler cards. It is the responsibility of the PIC to ensure that all employees handling food at the restaurant have the cards.
The second violation was a core item concerning the storage of in-use utensils between uses. Inspectors found scoops without handles being used in flour and rice. The issue was corrected on-site, during the inspection, by storing the in-use utensils in an approved manner.
Scheduled Date for Follow-Up Inspection
Additionally, Sakura is required to undergo a follow-up inspection, as stated in the inspection report. The inspection is scheduled for June 9, 2025.
On the day of the follow-up inspection, inspectors will verify that the issue concerning the food handler cards for its employees has been addressed and resolved. They will also check for any additional violations.
The health department for Kanawha and Charleston counties conducts inspections at food establishments to ensure that they do not pose public health risks. If any establishment is found to be in non-compliance with the food code, they are scheduled for follow-up inspections. If the issues still persist, the department will take further action, which may include permit suspension and legal action.
