China Garden, a Chinese restaurant located at 1216 N. Main Street in Gainesville (Alachua County), has found itself needing a follow-up inspection following its latest evaluation by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation on August 16, 2024.
This assessment revealed a total of 12 violations, including 2 high-priority violations, 1 intermediate violation, and 9 basic violations.
What Happened During The Inspection?
The high-priority issues warrant immediate attention, notably involving unsuitable handling of raw foods. An employee reportedly engaged in food preparation after touching soiled attire, a lapse in hygiene that raises serious health concerns.
Additionally, there were instances of raw chicken wrongly stored above raw shrimp and bok choy in the walk-in cooler—an error that could easily lead to cross-contamination. The presence of an unmarked spray bottle containing a hazardous substance further compounded the health risks onsite.
An Intermediate violation also drew attention, highlighted by wrongly labeled toxic substances, which required correction for safety compliance.
On the basic violation front, several repeat infractions included the use of unhandled bowls for food dispensing and employee personal items stored incorrectly in food preparation areas.
Cleanliness issues persisted as well, with accumulated trash and equipment in poor repair, all of which detract from the overall dining experience. The situation calls for the restaurant to implement immediate corrective measures to realign itself with health and safety regulations.
Despite these setbacks, China Garden maintains a 4.2-star rating from 200 Google reviews, suggesting a generally positive customer experience.
The restaurant, known for its authentic Chinese cuisine and affordable prices, will need to address these violations to maintain its standing in the Gainesville culinary scene.
Questions for you:
How often do you dine at China Garden, and has your experience aligned with its 4.2-star rating?
What steps do you think restaurants should take to ensure consistent food safety practices?
How much do health inspection results influence your decision to eat at a restaurant?
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