ESPN uncovers troubling food-safety inspection reports from some prominent NHL arenas

In a damning report of the 111 pro sports facilities in North America, ESPN uncovered some truly nauseating findings regarding food storage and preparation in the NHL’s 31 buildings.

The worst ranking facility in the NHL is the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Stars. Among the transgressions:

Inspectors saw insects around the bar area at one location on June 3, 2016, and asked that pest control treat drains in the facility.

Inspectors found moldy strawberries in a kitchen on Feb. 24, 2016.

The Colorado Avalanche’s Pepsi Center didn’t fare much better:

On Oct. 24, 2017, a small amount of "black mold-like substance" was found in an ice machine.

On Nov. 15, 2016, an employee wearing safety gloves used a dirty towel to wipe down counters and then handled ready-to-eat waffles for a customer.

If that’s not enough to make you wretch, check out this report from the Carolina Hurricanes’ PNG Center:

Chicken wings cooked six hours before inspection were being held at 67 degrees in a cooler on March 28, 2017. To ensure safety, cooked food must be at 70 degrees within two hours and at 41 degrees within four hours or less. The chicken wings were discarded.

Inspectors saw partially cooked hamburgers with pooled blood around them in a cooler on Dec. 13, 2016. Such food is required to be fully cooked the first time it is cooked.

Even one of the NHL’s newest facilities, the Edmonton Oilers’ Rogers Place, wasn’t free from some criticism:

Perishable food sat out at room temperature for more than 30 minutes at the Chairman's Club on Jan. 31, 2017.

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Scotiabank Arena was cited for two different, but similar offences:

At least eight locations over various dates were noted for a failure to properly wash equipment.

At least 13 locations over various dates were noted for a failure to properly wash surfaces in rooms.

The oldest building in the NHL, the Calgary Flames’ Scotiabank Saddledome, was particularly disgusting, as well:

Inspectors found "a significant amount" of mouse droppings under the bar of a food stand on Oct. 26, 2017.

Hot dogs were being held at temperatures of 104 degrees on Oct. 20, 2016, which is below required temperature.

An inspector saw a staffer eating food while packing popcorn for customers on Oct. 20, 2016.

Another new building, in fact the NHL’s newest building, the Detroit Red Wings’ Little Caesar’s Arena, was also found to have issues:

On Oct. 25, 2017, inspectors found lime juice at the bar dated for use by Oct. 11 and raisins and apricots dated for use by Oct. 2 in a cooler.

Inspectors saw a cup with beer in it sitting in the hand sink at the East Club on Oct. 25, 2017. Sinks designated for handwashing aren't to be used for other purposes.

The Boston Bruins’ TD Garden evidently is more of a zoo than a hockey arena:

On May 9, 2016, inspectors found a buildup of "food soils" at the location including in a floor drain and food particles on a floor. The inspection also noted pest control recommendations that were not addressed. Live birds were observed in open areas in close proximity to the kitchen where foods were prepared and served. At another location on the same day, inspectors observed a live pigeon near food preparation.

In an inspection on July 27, 2017, inspectors observed crumbs on the floor, mice droppings, and a pizza left out overnight on top of the pizza oven.

The Minnesota Wild’s Xcel Energy Center is apparently a great place to work if you want to snack on the job:

Inspectors found mouse droppings under a sink in a main pantry on Nov. 16, 2017.

Inspectors saw an employee tasting cooked zucchini by taking some out of the pan, putting it in [his] mouth, then handling other food items without washing hands in the Levy Kitchen on Nov. 17, 2016.

We could go on and on and on… but suffice it to say that this report is eye opening (and stomach churning) to say the least. 

For the full report from ESPN, click the link below: