ROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION
May 4, 2026
Approved - Violations Abated
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Cincinnati Health Department, May 4, 2026 · Original Source
Cincinnati, OH
Empower Learn Create
3310 Ruther Av
Last inspected May 4, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Approved - Violations Abated
Get the next inspection, free.
We'll email you when Empower Learn Create has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.
Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist
ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
6 inspectionsROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION
Apr 28, 2026
Not In Compliance
7 recorded violations
notedCode 3.2(D)Other
Official wording
3.2(D) - Food Storage Containers - Identified with Common Name of Food
Inspector’s notes
Working containers of food are not properly labeled. Observed containers used to dispense cereal and oil not properly labeled.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 3.2(A)(2)Handwashing
Official wording
3.2(A)(2) - III. Preventing Contamination by Hands - Preventing Contamination from Hands: Bare Hand Contact RTE Food
Inspector’s notes
Food employee was touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands. Ready to eat broccoli being prepared was observed being handled with bare hands. Always put on gloves after washing hands when handling ready to eat food.
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsnotedCode 3.4(G)(1)Food temperature
Official wording
3.4(G)(1) - VI. Time/Temperature Controlled Safety Food - Ready-to-eat, TCS - date marking
Inspector’s notes
Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS food that is prepared in the food facility and held refrigerated for more than 24 hours is not properly date marked. Broccoli was observed put into the fridge to be used another day and not date marked. Always mark food that will be kept more than 24hours 6 days after the date it was open and used if TCS food.
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 4.4(P)Chemicals
Official wording
4.4(P) - Warewashing equipment: Determining Chemical Sanitizer Concentration
Inspector’s notes
Sanitizer concentration is not being monitored. Observed Quat sanitizer strips not open and used. No chlorine test strips were observed on premise for machine sanitizer.
In plain English
Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.
More about chemicals stored or used unsafelynotedCode 4.5(A)(2)(3)Food temperature
Official wording
4.5(A)(2)(3) - Food-Contact Surfaces of Cooking Equipment and Pans and Nonfood-Contact Surfaces Equipment
Inspector’s notes
The food contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans and Nonfood contact surfaces of equipment are to be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Pans observed on the floor under the three comp sink.
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 6.1(M)Other
Official wording
6.1(M) - Outer Openings - Protected
Inspector’s notes
Outer openings of a food facility were not protected against the entry of insects and rodents. Back door observed cracked open during inspection.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 3701-21-25 (K)Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
3701-21-25 (K) - Person in Charge Certification in Food Protection FSO
Inspector’s notes
No person in charge certified in food protection was at the FSO where it is needed.
In plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesOfficial record from Cincinnati Health Department, Apr 28, 2026 · Original Source
ROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION
Apr 11, 2025
Approved - Minor Violations
2 recorded violations
notedCode 4.6(C)(3)Contamination
Official wording
4.6(C)(3) - VII. Protection from Contamination - Sanitizing Frequency Utensils/Food Contact Surfaces - Before Use After Cleaning
Inspector’s notes
After being cleaned, food-contact surfaces and utensils were not sanitized using an effective or approved combination of exposure time, chemical concentration, temperature, and/or pH. Chemical sanitizer for dish machine was not producing enough sanitizer, test read 10-20ppm and needs to be 50-100ppm. Operator is able to sanitize dishes in 3-comp sink until adjusted by dish machine company. +COS
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationnotedCode 4.1(Z)Food temperature
Official wording
4.1(Z) - Temperature Measuring Device - Functionality
Inspector’s notes
Temperature measuring devices are missing, not correctly placed, not readable, or of improper design. Please add thermometer for hot holding, digital thermometers can go out of calibration occasionally.
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperatureOfficial record from Cincinnati Health Department, Apr 11, 2025 · Original Source
ROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION
Aug 15, 2024
Approved - Minor Violations
5 recorded violations
notedCode 4.8(E)(2)(a)(b)Equipment and utensils
Official wording
4.8(E)(2)(a)(b) - Equipment, utensils, linens, single-service articles, and single-use articles - storage
Inspector’s notes
Clean equipment and utensils were not properly stored. Observed lexan containers stored with the food contact surface exposed. When storing invert containers to protect from foreign materials.
In plain English
Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.
More about equipment or utensil issuesnotedCode 4.8(G)(1)Other
Official wording
4.8(G)(1) - Kitchenware and tableware
Inspector’s notes
Single-service or single-use articles or cleaned and sanitized utensils were not handled, displayed, and dispensed so that contamination of food-and lip-contact surfaces is prevented. Observed single use utensils stored in varying directions. Store utensils in one direction / handles up to prevent hand contact with the food contact portion of the utensil.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 2.3(A)Contamination
Official wording
2.3(A) - II. Good Hygienic Practices - Food contamination
Inspector’s notes
Employees were eating, drinking or using tobacco in non-designated areas. Observed employee personal food items stored above food items intended for daycare children. Store personal items away from / below food and food equipment.
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationnotedCode 4.4(J)Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
4.4(J) - Mechanical warewashing
Inspector’s notes
The wash solution temperature in a spray type warewasher was insufficient. Observed a running temperature of 106F on the gauge the water temperature was maximum of 110F. The operational temperature must be 120F or higher. Resolve the temperature operational temperature issue.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsnotedCode 4.8(A)(2)Equipment and utensils
Official wording
4.8(A)(2) - Equipment and utensils - air-drying required
Inspector’s notes
Equipment and utensils were being cloth dried. Observed cloths being used to dry cups. Allow equipment to air dry after sanitization.
In plain English
Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.
More about equipment or utensil issuesOfficial record from Cincinnati Health Department, Aug 15, 2024 · Original Source
ROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION
Jan 17, 2024
Not Abated
2 recorded violations
notedCode 3717-1-04.6(C)(3)Chemicals
Official wording
"3717-1-04.6(C)(3) - Violation - Food contact surfaces, chemical sanitizing After being cleaned, food-contact surfaces and utensils were not sanitized using an effective or approved combination of exposure time, chemical concentration, temperature, and/or pH."
Inspector’s notes
"Unable to verify any presence of chlorine sanitizer at the dish machin via test strip. Resolve the issues with the dish washing machine so that sanitizing can be verified via test strip."
In plain English
Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.
More about chemicals stored or used unsafelynotedCode 3717-1-07.0(B)Chemicals
Official wording
"3717-1-07.0(B) - Violation - Poisonous/toxic material-working containers Working containers of poisonous/toxic materials are not labeled."
Inspector’s notes
"OBSERVATION: Observed an unlabeled chemical spray bottle. CORRECTIVE ACTION: Secondary chemical storage containers must be labeled with the common name of the chemical within."
In plain English
Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.
More about chemicals stored or used unsafelyOfficial record from Cincinnati Health Department, Jan 17, 2024 · Original Source
ROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION
Nov 14, 2023
Abated
2 recorded violations
notedCode 3717-1-06.4(D)(1)Contamination
Official wording
"3717-1-06.4(D)(1) - Violation - Facilities: Ventilation systems: Cleaning Intake and exhaust air ducts are a source of contamination by dust, dirt, and other materials."
Inspector’s notes
"Violation has been abated"
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationnotedCode 3717-1-06.1(M)(1)Pests
Official wording
"3717-1-06.1(M)(1) - Violation - Facilities-outer openings protected Outer openings of a food facility were not protected against the entry of insects and rodents."
Inspector’s notes
"Violation has been abated"
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsOfficial record from Cincinnati Health Department, Nov 14, 2023 · Original Source