An Ithaca grocery store received a food safety rating this year after a surprise inspection by inspectors from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
In Ithaca alone, more than 30 restaurants, grocery stores, corner stores and local food stores were inspected.
After a health inspection, state inspectors assign the site an “A,” “B” or “C” letter grade. An “A” grade means no serious defects are found. A “B” grade means defects were found but corrected during inspection.
In order to receive a “C” grade, the establishment had sanitation deficiencies that could not be corrected, although “immediate corrective action was required,” according to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. A grade C is considered a serious defect requiring a second unannounced inspection.
If you’re wondering how your regular grocery store is doing, here are the latest data ratings for Ithaca’s largest grocery store chains.
The Ithaca location of Trader Joe’s at 744 S. Meadow St. received an “A” rating from state inspectors.
Ithaca Wegmans Inspection Grade
Ithaca Wegmans located at 500 S Meadow St. was last inspected on March 28, 2024. The store received an “A” rating from state inspectors.
Ithaca Aldi Inspection Grades
The Aldi at 505 3rd St. in Ithaca was inspected twice, once on March 11, 2024, and again on January 21. The store received an “A” rating from state inspectors both times.
Inspection Level of Ithaca Tops
Tops Market, located at 2300 N Triphammer Road, Ithaca, was inspected twice, once on January 9, 2024, and again on December 5, 2024. The store received an “A” rating from state inspectors both times.
Inspection Rating for Trader Joe’s in Ithaca
The Trader Joe’s store located at 744 S Meadow St. in Ithaca was inspected twice, once on November 15, 2023, and again on August 12, 2024. The store received an “A” rating from state inspectors both times.
Ithaca Walmart Inspection Grades
The Ithaca Walmart is located at 135 Fairgrounds Memorial Pkwy. Was checked 3 times.
On December 12, 2023, the store received an “A” rating. It was again awarded an “A” grade on October 3, 2024.
Most recently, the store was rated “B” on August 6. Inspectors found bread in the deli section was mislabeled and temperature control was poor.
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Ithaca BJ’s Inspection Level
BJ’s Wholesale Club, located at 40 W. Graham Road in Ithaca, has been inspected three times by the state.
On October 23, 2023, this location received an “A” rating. The store received another “A” rating on July 22, 2024.
Most recently, the store received a “B” rating on July 7. Inspectors found an automatic disinfection system was inadequate and the walk-in floor of the meat room was dirty.
This article originally appeared in Ithaca Magazine: Ithaca Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Walmart, Tops, Aldi get hygiene ratings
