In February 2025, the Marathon County Health Department conducted routine inspections of various businesses, primarily focusing on licensed food establishments. The findings revealed several violations related to cleanliness, food storage, and operational practices across different locations such as Athens, Mosinee, Rothchild, Schofield, Wausau, and Weston. These infractions varied from minor issues like missing thermometers to more severe problems like improper food handling.

The inspections highlighted a range of critical concerns, including inadequate handwashing facilities, improper storage of chemicals near food items, malfunctioning equipment, and contamination risks due to unsanitary conditions. Businesses were required to address these issues promptly to ensure compliance with health standards and safeguard public safety.

Inspection Findings in Urban Areas

Urban centers like Wausau and Weston faced notable challenges during the February inspections. Establishments here encountered a variety of issues ranging from outdated permits to improper cooling techniques for perishable goods. Key violations included non-functional handwashing sinks, incorrect sanitizer usage, and inappropriate food storage methods that could lead to contamination.

In Wausau, numerous eateries experienced multiple infractions. For instance, Breakfast Bear was cited for serving undercooked hamburgers while Carmelo’s had issues with marinara sauce temperature and rusting fasteners in their ice machines. Great Dane Pub & Eatery stood out with eight violations, encompassing improper food storage temperatures and damaged dishware. Similarly, Subway outlets demonstrated significant lapses in hygiene protocols, including insufficient sanitization practices and expired permits.

Weston also reported several infractions. El Charro III dealt with dead batteries in thermometers and unlabeled squeeze bottles. Pho Zone faced five violations concerning unsanitized utensils, unmonitored cooling processes, and wet mop storage, which pose potential health hazards if not addressed immediately.

Rural Business Compliance Issues

Rural areas such as Athens, Mosinee, and Rothchild similarly struggled with maintaining stringent health standards. Here, establishments often grappled with basic yet crucial elements like thermometer availability, pet presence in preparation zones, and chemical storage proximity to consumables.

Athens saw Cocina on the Square flagged for missing thermometers in critical areas and excessive food residue buildup. Rowdy’s Memory Lanes incurred penalties due to pets being present in food prep regions and lacking appropriate refrigeration monitoring tools. Moving to Mosinee, Quality Inn accumulated seven violations, notably involving improper chemical storage alongside coffee supplies, absent hand-drying mechanisms at sinks, and dirty surfaces affecting juice dispensers.

Rothschild's Econolodge received one violation linked to guest microwaves needing repair, emphasizing the importance of functional appliances even for customer convenience. Overall, these rural inspections underscored the necessity for consistent adherence to health guidelines regardless of location size or type of business operation.