The state Department of Health has suspended the permit for Kanemitsu's Bakery in Kaunakakai on the island of Molokai for producing baked goods manufactured at the facility under unsanitary conditions.

State health officials met with owner George Kanemitsu on Monday and issued the suspension which closes bakery operations until a plan of correction is completed and approved.

On June 15, health officials received an anonymous public complaint alleging that insects and foreign substances were found in bread rolls purchased from Kanemitsu's Bakery.

This led to an investigation of the facility by health officials on June 20.  The facility also has pending violations that resulted in the Department of Health issuing a $90,000 penalty for unsanitary conditions found during routine inspections conducted in March of this year.

The inspection on June 20 revealed serious deficiencies in the maintenance and manufacturing practices conducted at the facility including the following:  visual sighting of rodents during the inspection, no water available at the rinse compartment of the sink, unclean food preparation surfaces, no soap and hand towels at hand washing sinks, and general unsanitary conditions.

In order to assist Kanemitsu's Bakery in correcting the conditions that led to the permit suspension, the Department of Health is working closely with the owner and providing a checklist of concerns that need to be addressed by the facility in order for their permit to be reinstated.

The bakery portion of the Molokai facility will remain closed while an intensive mitigation plan developed with the state is completed, and measures are taken to ensure consistent and lasting compliance with all food safety regulations.

The restaurant portion of the facility remains open and was not included in the permit suspension as it operates out of a separate, permitted kitchen.