Casper, WY – The Casper‑Natrona County Health Department carried out its routine unannounced inspections of local food‑service establishments between September 25 and October 1, 2026. The department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and vending operations at least twice a year, looking for three categories of violations: priority, priority foundation and core.

Inspection results

Overall, the majority of facilities received clean reports or only minor, quickly‑corrected deficiencies. The full reports are posted on the department’s website for public review.

• Pizza Hut Events/CY – 0 violations, no re‑inspection required.
• Ford Wyoming Center – 4 violations, no re‑inspection required. Issues included missing disposable towels at the hand‑washing sink, unlabeled food containers, food stored on the floor or less than 6 inches above the floor in a walk‑in freezer, and improper storage of dispensing utensils.
• Good To Go Store #216 – 2 violations, no re‑inspection required. Problems were a gap at the bottom of the front doors and the absence of a current test kit for monitoring sanitizing solution concentrations.
• Loaf ’N Jug #105 – 1 violation, no re‑inspection required. Personal items were stored near food‑contact surfaces.
• Good To Go Store #215 – 1 violation, no re‑inspection required. Dispensing utensils lacked handles.
• Big D #66 – 3 violations, no re‑inspection required. The hand‑washing sink was blocked, food was stored on the floor or less than 6 inches above the floor, and clean utensils were not kept in a clean area.
• Elkhorn Valley Rehab Food Service – 1 violation, no re‑inspection required. The rubber coating on two pairs of tongs was deteriorating.
• Casper Reentry Center (CRC) – 1 violation, no re‑inspection required. Food containers were stacked while still wet after cleaning.
• Heirloom & Native: Eating Counter – 3 violations, re‑inspection required. Issues involved improper cold‑holding temperatures, missing dating on ready‑to‑eat foods, and storage of employee food with customer food.
• Starbucks Coffee North Center #21239 – 1 violation, no re‑inspection required. Employees were observed without proper hair restraints.
• Wyoming Food for Thought Project, Good – 1 violation, no re‑inspection required. No covered refuse container for feminine napkins in the ladies’ restroom.
• Papa Johns Pizza – 2 violations, no re‑inspection required. The establishment lacked a certified food protection manager and had a gap between the back‑door threshold and the door.

Department response and next steps

Program Manager for Environmental Health in Natrona County emphasized that there is no “pass or fail” grading system. “Every violation is either fixed immediately or within 10 days,” the manager said, noting that a violation does not automatically render a business unsafe. If a re‑inspection is needed, the establishment has ten days to address the issue, and most facilities meet that deadline without difficulty.

The health department’s primary goal is educational: to help businesses understand unsafe practices and how to correct them. By publishing all inspection reports online, the department ensures transparency and gives consumers the information they need to make informed choices about where they eat.

What this means for Casper residents

For the average Casper resident, the latest inspection cycle reinforces that most local eateries are maintaining safe food‑handling standards. Minor infractions are being addressed promptly, and the department’s clear, non‑punitive approach encourages continuous improvement rather than punitive shutdowns.

Consumers are encouraged to review the full inspection reports on the Natrona County Health Department website, especially if they have concerns about specific establishments. The department remains committed to safeguarding public health while supporting local businesses that provide essential services to the community.

Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.