Tampa Bay Rays, concession company respond to ballpark food safety study
A published study about ballpark food safety isn't very kind to the Tampa Bay Rays, and the team has responded.
Sports Illustrated examined ballpark food safety using data from local health departments.
The magazine ranked 28 of the 30 major league teams, and the Rays were at the bottom of the standings. Two agencies didn't answer public records requests for the study.
Sports Illustrated found that Tropicana Field has had 105 critical violations this year and 241 total violations.
Two food locations had more than 20 violations each.
Centerplate, the company that handles concessions at the stadium — as well as at LECOM Park in Bradenton — released a statement that said:
"We take this report very seriously and have already cured each of the violations in the SI article. In addition, we are taking the following steps to ensure food safety at Tropicana Field: in cooperation with the Rays, have an independent food safety inspector conduct an immediate analysis of all concessions operations; designate one additional supervisor on site each night dedicated to food safety; and require all staff to undergo the Centerplate food safety training program, again, this week. We remain committed to providing the highest quality guest experience at each of our venues."
The Rays also released a statement that said: "Each aspect of the fan experience is very important to us and that includes food quality and safety. We understand that Centerplate has taken corrective action for all of these violations and will be taking additional steps to ensure food safety. Moving forward, we will be working cooperatively with both Centerplate and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation officials to provide even greater oversight of the nightly concessions operations.”
The No. 1 stadium in the study was Safeco Field in Seattle.
You can read the Sports Illustrated story and rankings here.
This story was originally published August 9, 2017 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Tampa Bay Rays, concession company respond to ballpark food safety study."