Department of Health submits latest report on eateries

The Florida Department of Health releases its inspection reports for Charlotte, DeSoto and Sarasota counties each week, highlighting the restaurants with the most violations in the past 30 days.

Violations range from basic to intermediate to high-priority, with each based on the level of immediate threat to diners’ safety, according to state inspection criteria.

The following key can be used as a guide:

High-priority: Could contribute directly to a food-borne illness or injury.

Examples: Handwashing, correct heating/cooling temperatures, separation of raw animal foods, missing vacuum breaker (to prevent backflow), evidence of pests and live roaches.

Intermediate: If not addressed, could lead to risk factors that contribute to food-borne illness or injury.

Examples: Personnel training, documentation, record keeping and labeling, ice machine mold and stained cutting boards.

Basic: Best practices to implement.

Examples: Broken ceiling tiles, soiled floor, open dumpster lid, gouged cutting boards, hair not restrained during food preparation and dead roaches.

Administrative Complaint:

A form of legal action taken after insufficient compliance with a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action has taken place.

Stop Sale:

Issued to give notice that an item, processing equipment, area or storage is in violation and has been detained or embargoed and therefore cannot be used or sold until given permission.

Sarasota County (Venice, Osprey)

97 out of 342 restaurants did not pass the first inspection. Five of those received 20 or more violations.

KENDO, 1657 U.S. 41 Bypass South, Venice: 28 VIOLATIONS

Three high-priority violations found during Sept. 19 inspection.Open can of corn found with mold-like growth, causing a stop sale.Repeat violations of raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food, including raw chicken and shrimp, raw shell eggs over green onions, raw beef over raw scallops.

ITALIANO’S, 4191 Tamiami Trail South, Venice: 25 VIOLATIONS

Four high-priority violations found during initial Sept. 9 inspection. Two follow-up inspections required, with most recent inspection resulting in only three basic violations.A Stop Sale was issued after four pizzas on the front counter for sale by the slice time marked 11am were still out at 4:20pm.Observed at the pizza station sausage, slice meatballs, cut tomatoes, dice ham and goat cheese held at temperature greater than state mandate.

ASARO’S OF VENICE, 2454 Laurel Road E, North Venice: 25 VIOLATIONS

Three high-priority violations found during Sept. 6 inspection.A Stop Sale was issued after observing cooked tomato sauce and sausage cooling in the walk in cooler, creating potentially hazardous foods.

EVIES SPANISH POINT, 135 Bayview Drive, Osprey: 23 VIOLATIONS

Nine high-priority violations found during Aug. 26 inspection.Violation given after an employee was seen touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands, cut lettuce.Approximately 20 bees were found on the soda gun in the server station, now not in use for public consumption.Repeat violations with administrative complaints over poorly stored raw animal food and time/temperature control for chicken.

VENETIAN RIVER CLUB, 502 Veneto Blvd., North Venice: 20 VIOLATIONS

Four high-priority violations found during Sept. 20 inspection.Stop Sale issued for time/temperature control for cooked chicken not cooled to state mandate. The operator stated the chicken had been held overnight.A Stop Sale was issued after heavy whipping cream was seen with a mold-like growth behind the inside bar.

DeSoto County (Arcadia)In the last 90 days, 3 out of 9 restaurants did not pass the first inspection.

Two restaurants earned 10 or more violations.

AZUL TEQUILA MEXICAN RESTAURANT LLC, 1121 E Oak St., Arcadia: 15 VIOLATIONS

Four high-priority violations found during Sept. 19 inspection, requiring follow-up inspection on Sept. 20.Violation issued after an employee touched a soiled surface, a phone screen, and then cleaned pans without washing their hands.Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with fish and crab stored and in direct contact with Togo bags. Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area.Violation given after employee handled raw beef then clean utensils without changing gloves and washing their hands.A Stop Sale issued for rice stored in a hot holding in a cooler on the floor in the cook line area. The rice was in direct contact with the walls of the cooler, the walls were soiled blistering and peeling.

ANA’S RESTAURANT, 161 S Brevard Ave., Arcadia: 12 VIOLATIONS

Eight high-priority violations found during Sept. 19 inspection.A Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to bacon fat stored at room temperature on the cook line overnight.

Charlotte County (Port Charlotte)

In the last 30 days, 6 out of 89 restaurants did not pass the first inspection.

BUFFET CITY, 2150 Tamiami Trail Unit 30 and 31, Port Charlotte: 16 VIOLATIONS

Two high-priority violations were found during Sept. 4 inspection.Violation given for raw chicken wings in a bag with juice next to cooked ham not covered.

FINNEGAN’S GRILLE AND PUB, 1825 Tamiami Trail Unit F2, Port Charlotte: 14 VIOLATIONS

Two high-priority violations were found during Sept. 20 inspection, requiring a follow-up inspection.Seven flying insects found at ware washing area.