Why Are Bangor Restaurants Skipping Health Inspections? Uncovering the Shocking Truth

Some restaurants in Bangor are overdue for health inspections, raising questions about food safety in the area. Wayne Johnson, co-owner of Chimera Coffee, reported he hasn’t seen a health inspector since February 2023. His café, previously known as West Market Square Artisan Coffeehouse, needed inspection after rebranding.

Health inspectors are supposed to visit restaurants at least every two years, but Johnson notes that in his previous experience in Seattle, inspections occurred every six months. This gap leaves him wondering about the safety of other local eateries.

As of early May 2023, only 43 businesses in Bangor had received inspections this year, according to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Their online database shows reports from as far back as 2018, with 146 inspections in 2024 and 135 in 2023. Alarmingly, many Bangor establishments haven’t been inspected in years, and some have no records at all.

Unlike other major cities in Maine, Bangor lacks its own health inspector. Instead, it relies on state inspectors who cover multiple communities. This arrangement raises doubts about its effectiveness, especially since some businesses appear years overdue for an inspection.

Lindsay Hammes from DHHS explained that overdue statuses might indicate that no inspections occurred for up to three years, or that a business only had a pre-operational inspection. Furthermore, a health inspector position in the state remains vacant, compounding the problem.

All types of businesses, including schools and tattoo shops, must undergo periodic checks. Inspections are intended to be surprise visits, which paint a true picture of food handling practices. New restaurants and those that change ownership also need to pass an inspection before operating.

The Bangor Daily News reached out to several eateries that appear overdue for inspections, but most owners declined to comment. Interestingly, in cities with their own inspectors, like Portland and South Portland, establishments are regularly inspected, with many showing multiple checks in recent years.

Bangor once had a dedicated health inspector, but this role was eliminated around 2010. David Warren from the city explained that it was a decision based on new state regulations regarding health inspections. Currently, if a complaint arises, a state inspector will respond promptly, but there are no plans to bring back a local inspector.

Michael Towle, who purchased 11 Central in 2019, noted that while his restaurant’s last recorded inspection was that year, it has had two inspections since, neither of which show on the state database. This raises concerns about potential gaps in reporting.

Without clear records, it is difficult to assess whether inspections have taken place or not. The state’s health inspection database shows active inspections occur; however, missing records paint an incomplete picture of food safety in Bangor. This ongoing situation highlights the need for more robust health inspection processes in the community.

For more about health inspection regulations, you can check the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

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