BOSTON The Boston Red Sox did not learn until yesterday that local health officials had threatened to close down the food concessions at Fenway Park because of sanitation problems early in the season, according to a report in the Boston Globe.
The article indicated that sanitation inspectors had found at least 15 health-code violations at the Aramark Corp.-managed facilities on opening day, ranging from rodent droppings found underneath service counters to the appearance of what looked like mold inside a refrigerator. The infractions reportedly drew a failing grade for Aramark.
Aramark’s response to the April 8 inspection was so slow, the Globe reported, that the city threatened at a municipal court hearing to shut down food operations at the ballpark if the problems were not fixed. Approximately 19 home games passed before the concessions stands finally passed inspection on May 16.
“We have made it clear to Aramark that we want to be informed immediately when any issues related to the Division of Health occur from this point going forward,” Mike Dee, the Red Sox’s chief operating officer, told the Globe Wednesday.
Aramark, when contacted by Nation’s Restaurant News, said: “We take all violations very seriously and immediately began working with the Division of Health Inspections to address and correct the issues, all of which have been resolved. We continue to work with them to ensure we are in compliance with the City's health codes.”