Uncle Giuseppe's Hopes to Clean Up Its Aisles

After years of failing state health inspections, the Uncle Giuseppe's supermarket said it is taking steps to clean up its act.

According to spokesman Juda Engelmayer, the company is already looking to hire an in-house safety inspector who would help catch critical health issues before state inspectors do.

"The goal is to hire an experienced consultant who can work with all stores to make sure all departments are in compliance with the Department of Agriculture’s requirements," he said in an email, adding that interviews started last week.

While Engelmayer said the chain already had an internal quality control worker, the company is now making sure that person adds routine cleanliness and safety inspections to their job responsibilities.

The company is also working on a broad remediation plan, that Englemayer said would be shared with Patch when it is completed.

In March, a Patch probe of state health inspection records for grocery stores across Long Island found a pattern of violations at Uncle Giuseppe's Smithtown store, and well as most others in the chain.

In Smithtown, the market has failed eight inspections from the state's Department of Agriculture and Markets since 2005, and several inspections were prompted by complaints by shoppers that the food made them sick. In its most recent visit, inspectors destroyed nearly five pounds of canolis and other cream-filled pastries deemed possibly hazardous to consumers.

The issues didn't escape Port Jefferson, where the store in that town failed three out of the four inspections it has had since opening in 2010.

RELATED: Uncle Giuseppe's Pattern of Failure

Stores in East Meadow and Massapequa have also failed repeatedly.

Since learning of the issues, Patch readers in Smithtown have swarmed the site posting comments about experiences they've had at the local supermarket.

"I shop elsewhere. Where there's smoke, there's fire!" wrote Ralph in a Patch comment.

"I purchased chop meat that was red on the outside and brown on the inside. Cover old meat with fresh disgusted me . Have not bought meat there since. Called manager and they swore that would never happen. There are other store to shop in. Uncle G's is off my list," wrote Kathy.

Meanwhile, others were willing to give Uncle Giuseppe's the benefit of the doubt.

"Let's give them a chance to clean up their act if it is not already cleaned up. Let them post their latest inspections on their front door or request a copy at the main desk. The first thing we do when we come into town after greeting the kids is go to Uncle Giuseppe's," wrote Marion Knott.

RELATED: Full Map of Smithtown Grocery Store Inspections