Thomson Reuters audits global food operations, says New York now safe

The cafeteria at 3 Times Square is now safe, according to an internal memo to employees from the internal communications team. The company is monitoring the situation, however.

Media columnist Jeff Bercovici, who broke the original story last week, quoted the internal memo thus on the website Daily Finance: “You may have seen an article called ‘The Dirtiest, and Cleanest, Cafeterias in the Media Business’ that has been circulating on the Internet the past few days. Among its comments on various cafeterias, the article references a November 2009 NYC Health Department inspection of the 3 Times Square cafeteria which cited concerns related to equipment maintenance and food handling. Since that inspection, Aramark -- the company which operates the cafeteria -- has strengthened its processes focused on food handling and equipment. The cafeteria passed a subsequent inspection in December. Aramark has released a statement describing the actions it has taken (see below) and states full confidence in the safety and cleanliness of the food service operations at 3 Times Square.”

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene had cited failure to vermin-proof the facility at 3 Times Square, “potential contamination sources, and, Other General Violation”. It awarded the cafeteria 32 violation points, mostly concerning food temperature and operating conditions. The executive dining room at 3 Times Square was cited for eight violations.

The internal memo added: “To further support ongoing compliance with standards, Thomson Reuters Facilities group is conducting a close review of Aramark's quarterly internal health inspection reports, annual Health Department inspections, the inventory and maintenance records of cafeteria equipment and the overall state of the cafeteria. We are also conducting audits of other food service operations serving our offices around the globe to ensure that our people have access to healthy food prepared according to strict standards.”

The Aramark statement said: "The circumstances that led to this situation are not reflective of our high standards. We take these matters very seriously and immediately took corrective action to address the situation.

"On November 11, the NYC Board of Health performed a routine inspection of the kitchen and found violations. 

"We immediately developed and implemented a plan to take corrective action, which included personnel changes, refreshed employee training, and a full implementation of our sanitation and food safety procedures.

"On December 29, 2009, the NYC Board of Health returned to the kitchen and found the corrective action taken to be effective and the kitchen passed its reinspection. 

"Our senior leadership team continues to monitor this location closely to ensure that this remains a clean, safe, and high-quality dining establishment." ■