MAP: Find Out Which North Fork Grocer is the Grossest

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While mold, insects, rats and dust may sound like we're listing plagues, these are actually common violations found in supermarkets and grocery stores across Long Island, including the North Fork, state data show.

Patch has pulled together information on grocery store inspections across New York state to create our exclusive interactive map, culled from public data supplied by the state's Department of Agriculture and Markets. Unlike restaurants, which are inspected by the Suffolk County Department of Health, grocers in town are inspected by this state agency.

For North Fork Patch, we collected data on nearly markets in the area, ranging from major chain supermarkets to smaller meat or seafood shops, pharmacies and convenience stores.

RELATED: 5 Things You Should Know About Grocery Inspections

In the data above you find results of a store's latest food safety inspection as of Jan. 30, and the location's past performance. Violations are either listed as "general deficiencies," which inspectors say did not present an immediate heath risk, and "critical deficiencies" that pose a real hazard to customers. One critical violation and the market fails inspection.

How North Fork Scored

While the North Fork is full of small markets, considering all farm stands and wineries also fall under the watch of this state agency when it comes to health inspections. When you look at the most recent inspection data, not one market on the North Fork failed.

In fact, only two markets failed in 2012 at all. Goodale Farms at 250 Main Road which was cited in October 2012 for some unauthorized pickling and TSM Grocery in Greenport failed in March 2012 after inspectors found between five and 10 rat droppings as well a gnawed container of ramen noodle soup. Both of those markets passed when inspectors returned months later.

When it came to general deficiencies that health inspectors do not consider to be health risks, Duffy's Deli in Jamesport had the most with 19 related to shop cleanliness and workers not wearing hair nets.

Meanwhile, the Handy Pantry in Mattituck was flagged for 16 general issues including one citation after inspectors observed two live flies buzzing around the store.

Flies also caused a few violations at Braun Seafood in Cutchogue, where inspectors flagged the market for live flies in the warehouse and dead flies in light fixtures above the lobster tanks. In total, Braun was cited for 15 general deficiencies, the same number as Wells Homestead in Aquebogue and the La Tienda bodega in Mattituck.

When it came to the area's cleanest markets, several markets passed with not one single violation, while many others, including the Love Lane Sweet Shoppe in Mattituck earned only one violation.

Golden Earthworm organic farm, know for its popular community-supported agriculture program, was one of the many business cited for only two general deficiencies, including one flagging the farm for not having a self-closing bathroom door.

See the full results in the map above.

According to the state, there were 110 inspectors on the state’s payroll in 2012 responsible for about 31,000 retail food stores and around 6,200 food warehouses, wineries and other processors. Delis are included in the department’s inspections if 50 percent or less of their business is selling ready-to-eat food.

"They are our eyes and ears behind the scenes," said Robert Gravani, a professor at Cornell University who trains state inspectors.

Inspectors show up unannounced, and can spend as little as hour or more than a day inspecting a store, said Stephen Stich, Director of Food Safety and Inspection at the department.

The Inspection System

In 29 percent of the 30,372 retail food store inspections conducted statewide in 2012, the inspector found one or more problems that could make customers sick, Patch’s analysis of public records shows.

If an inspector finds a serious hazard to food safety, the store fails the inspection. Our analysis found more than 5,300 stores across the state failed an inspection last year, and more than 1,100 stores failed more than once. The department can fine the store up to $600 for the first critical deficiency, and double that amount for any more critical problems.

The department does more than just hand out fines. Sometimes, inspectors supervise supermarket employees as they correct violations on the spot, such as sanitizing dirty deli slicers, Stich said. Inspectors also hold in-store trainings to educate employees on the importance of food safety.

"These companies want to do things right," Gravani said. "Sometimes they fall down. That’s why you have a regulatory system."

Shoppers should call state inspectors with complaints about their local supermarket, such as spoiled food, Stich said.

You can reach the Long Island and NYC regional office, located in Brooklyn, at 718-722-2876.

But if you think food from the supermarket made you sick, contact your local health department, Stich said.

You can reach the Suffolk County Health Department at 631-854-0000.

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