St. Cloud, Florida's China House cited for 15 violations in Osceola County; Requires a follow-up

China House chicken mealPhoto byStorefront by DoorDash

St. Cloud's China House, a go-to spot for Chinese cuisine at 908 13th Street, recently encountered some bumps in the road. The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation's September 18, 2024 inspection revealed 15 violations, including 4 high-priority issues.

The Osceola County eatery, known for its dumplings and lo mein, wasn't ordered to close. However, state records show a follow-up inspection is needed to address the concerns.

China House Faces Inspection Hurdles

The inspection on September 18 revealed four high-priority violations, five intermediate violations, and six basic violations.

High-priority violations included non-food grade paper used to line food containers and unsuitable food storage practices. Raw meats weren't properly separated in the freezer, posing food safety issues. Additionally, some time/temperature management issues were noted with raw shrimp.

Meanwhile, intermediate violations ranged from food-contact surfaces needing cleaning to the absence of a certified food service manager on duty, while basic violations included broken storage containers and unfitting utensil storage.

On the bright side, some issues were corrected on-site, showing the staff's willingness to improve. The China House restaurant in St. Cloud maintains a solid 4.1-star rating from 388 Google reviews, suggesting its food quality remains a hit with locals.

To bounce back, China House will need to focus on proper food storage, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring all staff are up-to-date on food safety protocols. A follow-up inspection will be essential to demonstrate these improvements.

In the meantime, Osceola County diners can stay updated on China House's progress and other local restaurant inspections through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation's website.

High Priority Violations:

• Non-food grade paper used as food container liner
• Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage
• Unsuitable separation of raw animal foods in freezer
• Time/temperature management issues with cold-held food

Intermediate Violations:

• Soiled food-contact surface
• No certified food service manager on duty
• Missing paper towels at handwash sink
• No plan review submitted for renovations
• No soap at handwash sink

Basic Violations:

• Cracked food storage container
• Unsuitable storage of in-use tongs
• Utensil stored in standing water below 135°F
• Litter accumulation in oven/microwave interior
• Stored food was left without being covered
• Unlabeled working food containers