PUBLIC SAFETY DANGER

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Mold, Expired Food, and Flies: The Block Bar & Grill’s May Inspection Revealed Serious Public Health Risks

Colorado Springs —

A May 9, 2025 inspection of The Block Bar & Grill at 333 S. Tejon Street revealed a disturbing list of violations serious enough to shut the restaurant down temporarily. County health records show that inspectors discovered “excessive mold,” rotting or expired food, a broken dishwashing machine, and flies entering through an open back door — all of which posed immediate public safety risks.

The restaurant, located in downtown Colorado Springs, posted a sign reading “Closed for maintenance” following the inspection. It later reopened on May 23, 2025 after passing reinspection, although five violations remained.

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Major Violations Found

According to the official report and media summaries:

No handwashing sink available near the cook line.

Dish machine inoperable, leaving staff with no approved way to sanitize utensils or food-contact surfaces.

Excessive mold growth inside the walk-in cooler on walls, shelves, and surfaces.

Expired foods, including birria and green chile reportedly made over two weeks earlier.

Open back door and visible flies entering the kitchen.

Each of these findings represents a major breach of Colorado’s Retail Food Establishment Regulations (6 CCR 1010-2) — specifically sections governing hand hygiene, sanitization, temperature control, and pest prevention.

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Potential Public Health Consequences

Public health experts warn that the types of violations found at The Block Bar & Grill can expose diners to a wide range of foodborne diseases and bacterial infections. Below is a breakdown of the most likely pathogens and illnesses based on each category of violation.

1. Lack of Handwashing Sink

Without proper handwashing facilities, employees may handle raw and cooked foods with contaminated hands. This can spread:

Norovirus — causes vomiting and diarrhea, highly contagious.

Hepatitis A — spreads via fecal contamination, causes liver inflammation.

Staphylococcus aureus — from skin or nasal passages; can cause toxin-related food poisoning.

2. Inoperable Dish Machine (No Sanitization)

Dishes and utensils not sanitized properly can harbor:

E. coli O157:H7 — causes severe intestinal illness and kidney failure in vulnerable people.

Salmonella — common on raw poultry and eggs; causes fever, cramps, and diarrhea.

Listeria monocytogenes — thrives in cold environments, can cause miscarriage or meningitis in severe cases.

3. Mold Growth in the Walk-In Cooler

Mold buildup is not only a structural problem but also a respiratory hazard and contamination source. Possible effects:

Mycotoxin exposure — certain molds produce toxins that can cause allergic reactions, respiratory illness, or immune suppression.

Cross-contamination — mold spores can contaminate stored food, increasing spoilage and risk of foodborne illness.

4. Expired or Improperly Dated Food

Holding ready-to-eat (RTE) food beyond seven days creates conditions for bacterial growth, especially:

Listeria monocytogenes — survives refrigeration and can multiply in old foods.

Clostridium perfringens — found in cooked meats and stews held too long at unsafe temperatures.

Bacillus cereus — causes vomiting and diarrhea, common in improperly stored cooked foods.

5. Flies and Open Doors

Flies are a well-known vector for disease transmission. They can land on trash or feces and then on food-prep surfaces, spreading:

E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella — all capable of causing severe gastrointestinal illness.

Campylobacter jejuni — one of the leading causes of bacterial food poisoning.

Together, these hazards represent a multi-pathogen exposure environment — a worst-case scenario for food safety.

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Expert Perspective: “This Is a Direct Pathway to Illness”

Food-safety experts classify these as critical, priority-level violations, meaning they directly contribute to foodborne illness.

> “When you combine expired food, mold, and no sanitization, it’s not a theoretical risk — it’s a direct pathway to infection,” said a former El Paso County environmental health inspector. “One breakdown might cause a small problem, but multiple failures like this multiply the danger.”

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Public Accountability and Transparency

El Paso County Public Health encourages residents to check inspection histories online. Anyone can view past and current reports through the Retail Food Establishment Inspection Portal, which lists violation details, follow-up actions, and inspection outcomes.

Consumers are also advised to report suspected foodborne illness immediately to the health department so investigators can trace the source before more people are affected.

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Aftermath and Current Status

The Block Bar & Grill was cleared to reopen after passing reinspection on May 23, 2025. The county confirmed the establishment corrected its most critical issues but retained five remaining violations.

Food-safety advocates have since called for stricter oversight, arguing that repeat offenders should face mandatory training or permit suspension for recurring health threats.

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Key Takeaways for the Public

Mold, expired food, and unsanitized equipment can carry Listeria, E. coli, Norovirus, and Salmonella.

Consumers should look for visible cleanliness, posted inspection certificates, and consistent staff hygiene when dining out.

Colorado’s public inspection database remains the most transparent tool for verifying whether a restaurant meets safety standards.

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Reporting by: The Moral Forge Staff | Public Safety Watch – The Moral Forge

Sources:

KRDO “Restaurant Roundup” (May 2025)

El Paso County Public Health Inspection Records

Colorado Retail Food Establishment Regulations (6 CCR 1010-2)

CDC Foodborne Disease Guidelines