Georgia › Dekalb County › Decatur
THE FOOD DISPENSARY
4108 COVINGTON HWY STE 700 , DECATUR, GA 30032 · Health inspection record from Georgia Department of Public Health
This restaurant failed a health inspection on April 15, 2026, scoring 60/100 (grade U — Unsatisfactory). It has since been re-inspected and currently scores 89. Georgia re-inspects after a failing score, so the most recent number can be only days or weeks old.
Most recent inspection (April 24, 2026): Inspectors recorded 1 violation, 1 of them critical, involving cleaning & sanitizing.
Inspection history
Every recorded inspection, newest first. Open one to see what the inspector found that day — a past failure matters even when the current score looks fine.
B89April 24, 20261 violation
Inspectors recorded 1 violation, 1 of them critical, involving cleaning & sanitizing.
Observed raw chicken stored directly next to shelled eggs and raw pork hotdogs. COS: Raw eggs were moved to the top shelf, Raw chicken was moved to the chef base lower drawer. C/A:511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - Packaged & Unpackaged Food Separation, Packaging, and Segregation (P, C) (c) Packaged and Unpackaged Food - Separation, Packaging, and Segregation. 1. Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: (i) Except as specified in paragraph (i)(IV) of this subsection, separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from: (I) Raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish, or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables, P and (II) Cooked ready-to-eat food; and P (III) Fruits and vegetables before they are washed; P (IV) Frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready-to-eat food. (ii) Except when combined as ingredients, separating types of raw animal foods from each other such as beef, fish, lamb, pork, and poultry during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: (I) Using separate equipment for each type, P or (II) Arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, P and (III) Preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas; P (iii) Cleaning and sanitizing equipment and u.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - packaged & unpackaged food separation, packaging, and segregation (p, c)”U60April 15, 20267 violations
Inspectors recorded 7 violations, 6 of them critical, involving handwashing & hygiene, food source and food storage.
Observed employee with gloved hands handling cell phone then proceed to handle TCS ready to eat cake with gloved hands without washing hands. COS: Ready to eat cake was discarded, gloves were removed and hands were washed before returning to work. C/A:511-6-1.03(5)(c) - When to Wash (P) (c) When to Wash. 1. Food employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles P and: (ix) After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. P.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.03(5)(c) - when to wash (p)”Observed green peppers and cooked chicken wings with mold like growth stored in chef base. Observed strawberries and raw chicken stored in the reach in cooler with mold like growth. COS: All items were discarded by PIC. C/A: 511-6-1.04(1) - Safe, unadulterated and Honestly Presented (P) (1) Condition. Food shall be safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented. P.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(1) - safe, unadulterated and honestly presented (p)”Observed raw ground beef stored directly next shelled eggs in reach in cooler. Observed raw chicken stored directly next to raw chicken wings. COS: Raw chicken wings and ground beef were discarded. Shelled eggs were moved to the top shelf. PIC was given DPH food storage flyer. C/A: 511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - Packaged & Unpackaged Food Separation, Packaging, and Segregation (P, C) (c) Packaged and Unpackaged Food - Separation, Packaging, and Segregation. 1. Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: (i) Except as specified in paragraph (i)(IV) of this subsection, separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from: (I) Raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish, or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables, P and (II) Cooked ready-to-eat food; and P (III) Fruits and vegetables before they are washed; P (IV) Frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready-to-eat food. (ii) Except when combined as ingredients, separating types of raw animal foods from each other such as beef, fish, lamb, pork, and poultry during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: (I) Using separate equipment for each type, P or (II) Arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, P and (III) Preparing eac.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - packaged & unpackaged food separation, packaging, and segregation (p, c)”PIC was unable to provide proof that the employee health agreements were reviewed with employees. COS: Employee health agreements were reviewed and signed by all employees on shift. C/A: 511-6-1.03(2)(o) - Person-in-Charge Duties (Pf) Food employees and conditional employees are informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report in accordance with the Chapter, to the person in charge, information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food; Pf and.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.03(2)(o) - person-in-charge duties (pf)”Observed 2 hand sink in main kitchen without paper towels. COS: paper towels were restocked while inspector was onsite. C/A: 511-6-1.07(3)(b) - Hand Drying Provision (Pf) (b) Hand Drying Provision. Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks hall be provided with: 1. Individual, disposable towels; Pf.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.07(3)(b) - hand drying provision (pf)”Observed liquid cheese, cooked black beans, white rice stored in prep top past days. Dates marked for discarded 4/13/2026. COS: All items were discarded by PIC. C/A: 511-6-1.04(6)(g) - Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking (Pf) (g) Ready-to-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking 1. Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method, and except as specified in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this subsection, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. Pf 2. Except as specified in paragraphs 5 through 7 of this subsection, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and packaged by a food processing plant shall be clearly marked, at the time the original container is opened in a food service establishment and if the food is held for more than 24 hours, to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days after the original container is opened. The day the original container is opened in the food service establishment shall be counted as.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(g) - ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, date marking (pf)”Observed employee preparing TCS food while wearing apple watch and bracelet. COS: Apple watch and bracelet were removed and hands were washed and sanitized before returning to work. C/A: 511-6-1.03(5)(g) - Jewelry (C) (g) Jewelry. Except for a plain ring such as a wedding band food employees may not wear jewelry including medical information jewelry on their arms and hands while preparing food.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.03(5)(g) - jewelry (c)”C77November 24, 20256 violations
Inspectors recorded 6 violations, 5 of them critical, involving temperature control, handwashing & hygiene and menu & labeling.
Observed refried beans (65f), black bean (70F) and queso (110F) stored on grill for hot holding before properly reheating. 511-6-1.04(5)(h) - Reheating for Hot holding (P) (h) Reheating for Hot Holding. 4. Reheating for hot holding shall be done rapidly and the time the food is between the temperatures of 41°F (5°C) and 165°F (74°C) and 41°F (5°C) and 135°F (57°C) for commercially processed food, may not exceed 2 hours. P COS: All items were discarded by PIC. PIC was educated on proper reheating for hot holding.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(5)(h) - reheating for hot holding (p)”Soap was not available at the hand sink at entry of main kitchen at time of inspection.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.07(3)(a) - handwashing cleanser, availability (pf)”Hand sink near 3 compartment sink was observed without paper towels.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.07(3)(b) - hand drying provision (pf)”Observed multiple bottle stored at prep top without common name labels. Observed spray bottle stored under prep top without labels. CA:511-6-1.04(7)(c) - Food Labels (Pf, C) (c) Food Labels. 1. Food packaged in a food service establishment, that is not provided by a foodservice employee upon consumer request, shall be labeled as specified in law, including 21 CFR 101- Food labeling, and 9 CFR 317 Labeling, marking devices, and containers. 2. Label information shall include: (i) The common name of the food, or if there is no common name, an adequately descriptive identity statement; (ii) If made from two or more ingredients, a list of ingredients and sub-ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight, including a declaration of artificial color or flavors and chemical preservatives, if contained in the food; (iii) An accurate declaration of the net quantity of contents; (iv) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and (v) The name of the food source for each major food allergen contained in the food unless the food source is already part of the common or usual name of the respective ingredient. Pf (vi) Except as exempted in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act § 403(Q)(3) - (5), nutrition labeling as specified in 21 CFR 101 - Food Labeling and 9 CFR 317 Subpart B Nutrition Labeling. (vii) For any salmonid fish containing canthaxanthin or astaxanthin as a color additive, the labeling of the bulk fish container, including a list.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(7)(c) - food labels (pf, c)”Observed cooked beef, chicken, stored in cooler drawer to cool wrapped with plastic wrap to cool with condensation form on top of closed plastic wrap.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(e) - cooling methods (pf, c)”Observed employee cleaning counter top sanitizer buckets with no measurable amount of Cl.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(6)(o) - manual warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization using detergent sanitizers(c)”A100September 19, 2025No violations recorded
No individual violations are recorded for this inspection in the published data.
Georgia scores on a 100-point scale: A 90–100, B 80–89, C 70–79, U below 70.
Source
Published by the Georgia Department of Public Health · permit FSP-044-002313. Verify this record at ga.healthinspections.us. Georgia’s inspection records are published by county health district, not from a single statewide portal.
