China Inn

3422 E MAIN ST, Merrill, WI 54452 · Lincoln County

41cited violations

12serious tier

5inspections

Establishment

Type: Restaurant (retail food serving meals) (Retail Food - Serving Meals)
Inspected by: Lincoln County Health Department
License / ID: HSAT-7QX2VV
Status: Permitted
Phone: (715) 553-8118
Official record: Lincoln County Health Department inspection reports

Year by year

Year	Inspections	Violations	Serious
2025	3	27	8
2024	2	14	4

Inspections

Nov 20, 2025 Re-inspection · 1 core, 1 repeat
- Not serious Core Repeat
  INSECTS AND RODENTS - OUTER OPENINGS - SOLID, SELF-CLOSING AND TIGHT FITTING DOORS
  
  The exterior door back door is not tight-fitting and has openings that may allow for insects or rodents to enter the establishment.
  
  Correction: Provide a self-closing and tight fitting door to prevent the entrance of insects or rodents.
  
  Code 6-202.15 (A) (3)
Nov 19, 2025 Routine · 5 priority, 4 priority foundation, 9 core, 5 repeat
- Serious Priority Repeat
  WHEN TO WASH
  
  Employee observed not washing hands after between handling payment, phones, soiled surfaces and handling food.
  
  Correction: Employees shall wash their hands after engaging in any activity that may cause their hands to become contaminated.
  
  Code 2-301.14
- Serious Priority
  PACKAGED AND UNPACKAGED FOOD - RAW OVER RTE-FOODS
  
  Walk-in Cooler. Raw chicken and meat stored over raw vegetables.
  
  Correction: Reorganize food storage so that ready-to-eat foods are stored above raw animal food and raw vegetables. Discard ready-to-eat foods that show evidence of contamination.
  
  Code 3-302.11 (A) (1)
- Serious Priority Repeat
  TCS FOOD - COLD HOLDING
  
  Breaded Chicken, Cut Bok Choy, Eggs and Cooked Rice are not cold held and stored at room temperature.
  
  Correction: Maintain cold time/temperature control for safety food at or below 41°F. Discard unsafe food items.
  
  Code 3-501.16 (A) (2) AND (B)
- Serious Priority
  FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - SANITIZED BEFORE USE AFTER CLEANING
  
  Numerous food contact surfaces are not sanitized after cleaning.
  
  Correction: Clean and sanitize all utensils and equipment before contact with food.
  
  Code 4-702.11
- Serious Priority
  TOXIC SUBSTANCES - SANITIZER CRITERIA
  
  La's Totally Awesome Bleach (Lavender Scent) used in the food establishment is not approved.
  
  Correction: Sanitizer shall meet the requirements under 40 CFR 180.940 or 40 CFR 180.2020.
  
  Code 7-204.11
- Not serious Priority Foundation
  PERSON IN CHARGE - HANDWASHING
  
  The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring the handwashing activites.
  
  Correction: The person in charge shall ensure that employees are effectively cleaning their hands.
  
  Code 2-103.11 (D)
- Not serious Priority Foundation
  PERSON IN CHARGE - SANITIZATION
  
  The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring proper sanitization techniques in the food establishment.
  
  Correction: The person in charge shall ensure that utensils and equipment are properly sanitized and that proper solution temperatures, chemical concentrations, pH and exposure times are being followed..
  
  Code 2-103.11 (K)
- Not serious Priority Foundation Repeat
  RTE/TCS FOOD - PROPER DATE MARKING
  
  Numerous food items are not date marked.
  
  Correction: Adjust method or procedures so that all ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, if required, are provided with date marking or an effective method of identifying when a food item has exceeded 7 days. Discard improperly date marked food or food that has past the 7 day shelf life.
  
  Code 3-501.17 (A)
- Not serious Priority Foundation
  WAREWASHING - CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION - TEST KIT
  
  No test kit is available for monitoring chlorine sanitizer concentration.
  
  Correction: Provide a test kit to allow accurate determination of the sanitization concentration.
  
  Code 4-501.116
- Not serious Core
  OPEN DRINK CONTAINER
  
  Drinking cup without cover was observed in food preparation area.
  
  Correction: Provide approved beverage container with cover in food preparation area.
  
  Code 2-401.11 (B)
- Not serious Core Repeat
  PACKAGED AND UNPACKAGED FOOD - COVERED CONTAINERS OR WRAPPING
  
  Numerous food items in the Walk-in Cooler were observed to be unwrapped or uncovered.
  
  Correction: All foods that are not part of a cooling process shall be covered at all times to prevent cross-contamination. Food shall be discarded if suspected of cross-contamination.
  
  Code 3-302.11 (A) (4)
- Not serious Core Repeat
  LABELING - FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS LABELED WITH COMMON NAME
  
  Numerous food items are stored in unlabeled container.
  
  Correction: Store all foods that are removed from their original packages in containers labeled with the common name of the food or ingredient.
  
  Code 3-302.12
- Not serious Core
  WIPING CLOTHS - USE LIMITATION - CLOTHS FOR WIPING COUNTERS STORED IN SANITIZER
  
  Wiping cloth used for wiping surfaces stored on counters.
  
  Correction: Cloths used for wiping counters and equipment shall be stored in a sanitizing solution in between uses.
  
  Code 3-304.14 (B) (1)
- Not serious Core
  FOOD CONTAMINATION PREVENTED FROM PREMISE - NOT EXPOSED TO SPLASH AND DUST
  
  numerous food items in the walk-in cooler are subject to dust and debris contamination from fant and encrusted shelving units.
  
  Correction: Store food in areas not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination.
  
  Code 3-305.11 (A) (2)
- Not serious Core
  FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - ENCRUSTED ACCUMULATIONS
  
  Food−contact surfaces of cutting board has encrusted soil accumulations.
  
  Correction: Clean and remove all encrusted grease deposits and encrusted soil accumulations from food contact surfaces of equipment.
  
  Code 4-601.11 (B)
- Not serious Core
  NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - CLEAN
  
  Non-food contact surfaces of equipment, refrigeration, shelves are soiled with debris and encrusted accumulations.
  
  Correction: Clean and remove dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris from all non-food contact surfaces of equipment.
  
  Code 4-601.11 (C)
- Not serious Core
  INSECTS AND RODENTS - OUTER OPENINGS - SOLID, SELF-CLOSING AND TIGHT FITTING DOORS
  
  The exterior door back door is not tight-fitting and has openings that may allow for insects or rodents to enter the establishment.
  
  Correction: Provide a self-closing and tight fitting door to prevent the entrance of insects or rodents.
  
  Code 6-202.15 (A) (3)
- Not serious Core
  CLEANING, FREQUENCY AND RESTRICTIONS
  
  Floors, walls and ceilings are soiled.
  
  Correction: Clean the physical facilities at a frequency necessary to keep them clean.
  
  Code 6-501.12
Jan 8, 2025 Routine · 3 priority, 1 priority foundation, 4 core, 5 repeat
- Serious Priority Repeat Corrected on site
  WHEN TO WASH
  
  Employee observed not washing hands after handling money, taking order and preparing food.
  
  Correction: Employees shall wash their hands after engaging in any activity that may cause their hands to become contaminated.
  
  Code 2-301.14
- Serious Priority Repeat Corrected on site
  TCS FOOD - COLD HOLDING
  
  Rice, breaded chicken pieces, rangoon and eggs are stored on counters during slow period while no orders are being prepared.
  
  Correction: Maintain cold time/temperature control for safety food at or below 41°F. Discard unsafe food items.
  
  Code 3-501.16 (A) (2) AND (B)
- Serious Priority Repeat Corrected on site
  FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - WAREWASHING EQUIPMENT, CHEMICAL, TEMPERATURE, pH, CONCENTRATION AND HARDNESS
  
  The bleach is not being used according to EPA registered label use instructions and is at less than 10 PPM. Corrected to 50ppm.
  
  Correction: Provide training to employees on proper use and concentration of sanitizer or repair or adjust warewashing equipment to provide proper sanitizer concentration.
  
  Code 4-501.114 (A) - (E)
- Not serious Priority Foundation Repeat
  RTE/TCS FOOD - PROPER DATE MARKING
  
  Numerous food items in the walk-in cooler are improperly date marked.
  
  Correction: Adjust method or procedures so that all ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, if required, are provided with date marking or an effective method of identifying when a food item has exceeded 7 days. Discard improperly date marked food or food that has past the 7 day shelf life.
  
  Code 3-501.17 (A)
- Not serious Core
  PACKAGED AND UNPACKAGED FOOD - COVERED CONTAINERS OR WRAPPING
  
  Numerous food items in the walk-in cooler were observed to be unwrapped or uncovered.
  
  Correction: All foods that are not part of a cooling process shall be covered at all times to prevent cross-contamination. Food shall be discarded if suspected of cross-contamination.
  
  Code 3-302.11 (A) (4)
- Not serious Core Repeat
  LABELING - FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS LABELED WITH COMMON NAME
  
  Many food items are stored in unlabeled container, grocery type bags, prepared product stored in box labeled as previously containing chicken.
  
  Correction: Store all foods that are removed from their original packages in containers labeled with the common name of the food or ingredient.
  
  Code 3-302.12
- Not serious Core
  FOOD CONTAMINATION PREVENTED FROM PREMISE - OFF THE FLOOR
  
  In use buckets of sauces are stored on the floor in cooking/prep area.
  
  Correction: Store all food items 6 inches above the floor.
  
  Code 3-305.11 (A) (3)
- Not serious Core
  NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - CLEANING FREQUENCY
  
  The handles on coolers are not cleaned on a frequent basis.
  
  Correction: Clean all equipment on a routine basis to prevent accumulation of soil residues.
  
  Code 4-602.13
Jan 9, 2024 Re-inspection · 3 core, 2 repeat
- Not serious Core
  WASHING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
  
  Vegetable observed being prepared without being washed first.
  
  Correction: Raw fruits and vegetables shall be thoroughly washed in water to remove soil and other contaminants before being cut, combined with other ingredients, cooked, served, or offered for human consumption in READY−TO−EAT form.
  
  Code 3-302.15 (A)
- Not serious Core Repeat
  FOOD CONTAMINATION PREVENTED FROM PREMISE - NOT EXPOSED TO SPLASH AND DUST
  
  Numerous food items are stored uncovered in the walk-in cooler.
  
  Correction: Store food in areas not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination.
  
  Code 3-305.11 (A) (2)
- Not serious Core Repeat
  NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - CLEAN
  
  Non-food contact surfaces of the walk-in cooler, prep cooler, shelving, and counters are soiled.
  
  Correction: Clean and remove dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris from all non-food contact surfaces of equipment.
  
  Code 4-601.11 (C)
Jan 2, 2024 Routine · 4 priority, 3 priority foundation, 4 core, 6 repeat
- Serious Priority Repeat
  WHEN TO WASH
  
  Employee observed not washing hands after handling payment and returning to food prep.
  
  Correction: Employees shall wash their hands after engaging in any activity that may cause their hands to become contaminated.
  
  Code 2-301.14
- Serious Priority Repeat
  PACKAGED AND UNPACKAGED FOOD - RAW OVER RTE-FOODS
  
  Walk-in Cooler Raw Vegetables stored under raw chicken product.
  
  Correction: Reorganize food storage so that raw animal foods and raw vegetables are separated by cook temp. Discard foods that show evidence of contamination.
  
  Code 3-302.11 (A) (1)
- Serious Priority Repeat
  TCS FOOD - COLD HOLDING
  
  Numerous foods in the prep cooler are cold held above 41°F. Numerous TCS foods are not being cold held between customers.
  
  Correction: Maintain cold time/temperature control for safety food at or below 41°F. Discard unsafe food items.
  
  Code 3-501.16 (A) (2) AND (B)
- Serious Priority Corrected on site
  FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - WAREWASHING EQUIPMENT, CHEMICAL, TEMPERATURE, pH, CONCENTRATION AND HARDNESS
  
  The chlorine sanitizer is not being used according to EPA registered label use instructions and is at 200 PPM. Corrected to 100 PPM.
  
  Correction: Provide training to employees on proper use and concentration of sanitizer or repair or adjust warewashing equipment to provide proper sanitizer concentration.
  
  Code 4-501.114 (A) - (E)
- Not serious Priority Foundation
  THAWING
  
  Crawfish is being improperly thawed on the counter.
  
  Correction: Adjust procedures or methods to properly thaw foods.
  
  Code 3-501.13 (A) - (D)
- Not serious Priority Foundation Repeat
  RTE/TCS FOOD - PROPER DATE MARKING
  
  Numerous food items are not date marked.
  
  Correction: Adjust method or procedures so that all ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, if required, are provided with date marking or an effective method of identifying when a food item has exceeded 7 days. Discard improperly date marked food or food that has past the 7 day shelf life.
  
  Code 3-501.17 (A)
- Not serious Priority Foundation Repeat
  FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - SOILED
  
  Food Prep Sink is visibly soiled.
  
  Correction: Maintain food contact surfaces in a clean condition.
  
  Code 4-601.11 (A)
- Not serious Core Repeat
  LABELING - FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS LABELED WITH COMMON NAME
  
  numerous food products are stored in unlabeled container. Many unpackaged chicken are products are stored in grocery bags.
  
  Correction: Store all foods that are removed from their original packages in containers labeled with the common name of the food or ingredient.
  
  Code 3-302.12
- Not serious Core
  FOOD CONTAMINATION PREVENTED FROM PREMISE - NOT EXPOSED TO SPLASH AND DUST
  
  Numerous food items are stored uncovered in the walk-in cooler.
  
  Correction: Store food in areas not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination.
  
  Code 3-305.11 (A) (2)
- Not serious Core
  NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - CLEAN
  
  Non-food contact surfaces of the walk-in cooler, prep cooler, shelving, and counters are soiled.
  
  Correction: Clean and remove dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris from all non-food contact surfaces of equipment.
  
  Code 4-601.11 (C)
- Not serious Core
  CLEANING, FREQUENCY AND RESTRICTIONS
  
  Floors and walls are soiled.
  
  Correction: Clean the physical facilities at a frequency necessary to keep them clean.
  
  Code 6-501.12

Source: Lincoln County Health Department. History last read Oct 15, 2026. Violation text is the inspector's wording. “Serious” is the source's own top tier. About this data.