A Yolo Superior Court judge has ordered Ohana Hawaiian BBQ to pay $13,200 in costs and penalties, and to implement improved food-handling practices, following alleged meat-handling violations at its Davis restaurant.

Before this enforcement action, Ohana Hawaiian, at University Mall at 825 Russell Blvd., repeatedly had stored raw meats outside of its refrigerator because of limited storage space, leading the meats to reach temperatures conducive to breeding harmful bacteria, according to Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig.

Ohana Hawaiian reportedly continued this practice for years despite receiving several citations from the Yolo County Environmental Health Division.

“California food-safety laws are in place to prevent exactly these types of harmful practices,” Reisig said in a news release announcing Judge Timothy Fall’s ruling. “This enforcement action will help ensure that, going forward, Ohana Hawaiian complies with these laws intended to safeguard public health.”

Ohana Hawaiian has been cooperative with the DA investigation and, in recent months, has implemented new policies and procedures designed to prevent future violations of food-safety requirements, Reisig said. Fall’s ruling included an order that Ohana Hawaiian continue to follow these new policies and procedures.