Taj Mahal restaurant closed for more than 40 health violations

On Tuesday, Taj Mahal Restaurant in Columbia was temporarily closed after more than 40 health code violations were found.

The restaurant was first shut down for a gas leak coming from the area of a kitchen appliance in the morning, but a health inspection revealed multiple violations that will keep it closed longer.

After fire crews and Ameren mitigated the gas leak at Taj Mahal, the health department was called in to investigate.

“(Tuesday), we were asked by our public works department, who manages the building, to do an inspection,” said Eric Stann of the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health.

While an April inspection showed zero violations, Tuesday’s cited 19 critical violations and 23 non-critical violations.

The latter group is made up of less serious offenses like improper thawing methods, excess clutter and general dirtiness.

A restaurant only needs 10 critical violations to have their license revoked, but Taj Mahal was cited for almost twice that amount.

These violations ranged from uncovered food and pests in open flour, to backed up sewage and mouse feces.

ABC 17 News stopped by the restaurant Tuesday night. The gas leak sign was still posted at the entrance while staff worked inside.

“They will be closed until the violations are corrected,” said Stann.

An inspection is expected to be done Thursday.