Health department should correct unsanitary conditions

It is hard to believe that an inspection by the Linn County Health Department revealed evidence of rodents and cockroaches in a food establishment and the owners were allowed to operate that business even though unsanitary conditions were documented.

Seeing rodent droppings is only part of the problem. They often urinate with every step they take. Rodent urine is florescent under a black light, so if the inspectors used a black light, they would have seen where the rodents had urinated, including on food and production areas.

Another thing is the problem of cockroaches. They eat until they cannot eat anymore, then they regurgitate some of it and go back and continue eating. Their form of contamination can remain on food stuffs for weeks.

Why didn't our health department take the proper action to correct these unsanitary conditions rather than allow the business to operate for several months, then let them temporarily close on their own? We need to be spending our tax dollars on programs and agencies that are out there to protect us, not just going through the motions.

The number of people who become ill from eating products from unsanitary businesses will never be known for sure but you can be sure that there are plenty.

Russell L. Marks

Cedar Rapids