Health inspections for dining facilities, including those at Lafayette College, happen twice a year. Recently, a report showed that about 44.46% of inspections conducted by the City of Easton revealed some form of violation. However, experts suggest these violations often don’t indicate serious problems.
In 2025, several campus fraternities were flagged during inspections. Chi Phi and Delta Kappa Epsilon were among those that received violations. Despite this, representatives from these groups couldn’t be reached for comments. Joe Gill, the city’s health inspector, oversees a vast number of local establishments, including those on Lafayette’s campus. He stresses that inspections are just “snapshots” of a facility’s condition at that moment, noting that places can have both good and bad days.
Gill carries out inspections approximately every six months. He follows a rigorous set of standards and publicly shares all findings through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s website. A facility is rated “in compliance” if it meets safety standards. However, if it runs into seven or more total violations, it risks failing and requires a follow-up check.
The standards focus on issues like the potential for foodborne illnesses, employee practices, and training. For instance, Juan Martinez, owner of Don Juan’s Cantina, recently faced a minor violation due to a freezer with too much ice. He pointed out that not all violations indicate negligence; sometimes, they can stem from simple issues, like uncalibrated thermometers.
Martinez believes that only serious and repeated violations should raise concern among diners. Gill agreed, stating facilities would be shut down immediately for severe problems like pest infestations or improper food storage temperatures. He mentioned that campus dining has faced critical violations, particularly with temperature management, which is crucial to food safety.
Despite the occasional concern raised by parents and students, Gill noted that most complaints about unsafe food have turned out to be unfounded. Tony Williams, who manages dining services at Lafayette, emphasized that food safety is a priority. He communicated in an email that there are multiple protocols in place to keep food safe across all campus dining locations.
Understanding health inspections can bring clarity to the topic. They are structured measures aiming to ensure diners eat safely. While violations are reported, they often don’t reflect the overall safety of the facilities.
With over 45% of local restaurants facing violations, it’s essential for diners to remain aware but not overly alarmed. As Gill and Martinez suggest, the key is to look for patterns of negligence rather than isolated incidents. Responsible dining operators prioritize customer safety and work hard to comply with health regulations.
For further information about food safety inspections in Pennsylvania, you can visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s official site here.
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