(From WEEK News 25) - A new report out has sports fans thinking twice before buying their peanuts and cracker jacks. Not to mention the Hot Dogs, Nachos and other ballpark staples.
ESPN looked at 107 Major League ballparks, stadiums and arenas and found that many of them had been cited for critical violations by local health departments. In fact 100% of the concession stands at Tampa's Tropicana Field had been cited.
O'Brien Field in Peoria wasn't researched by the network but News 25 requested a copy of their most recent inspections.
Jim Lawless brought his family out to O'Brien Field for the Free Hot Dogs and Peanuts. They ate just a few of the over 7 thousand dogs that were served on Wednesday Night but just how safe are they and the other food at the ballpark.
Chiefs Fan Jim Lawless said, "Some of the hot dogs we got we're Ice Cold so we had to return them and yeah I was a little concerned"
According to the most recent health department inspections 57% of the concession stands at O'Brien Field run by Sports service received critical violations. Including Hot Dogs being stored at improper temperatures.
Peoria County Heath Department Administrator Greg Chance says "In terms of overall risk based on the inspection sheet for that particular day that we were there, I have minimum concern in terms of the food safety of those concession stands."
Sports Service and the Peoria Chiefs don't dispute the health department report they just want to make sure that you understand that a critical violation can be something as simple as an employee having a cup of soda without a lid.
Sport Service GM Jeff Greenleaf said, "We passed all health inspections and most recently received a 92% out of 100 for our last inspection. We've never had any problems with any type of food bourne illness."
The Peoria Civic Center and their food provider Centerplate fall under the same guidelines as O'Brien Field. The last time Carver Arena the home of the Bradley Braves and the Peoria Rivermen was inspected they averaged a 97 out of 100 but that inspection came more than 13 months ago and in an empty arena.
Meanwhile back at O'Brien Field Jim Lawless won't stop eating at the ballpark but he does have one piece of advice.
Lawless said, "I avoid the area over there with the Ketchup and Mustard."
