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.
For Charlotte County, 4 out of 31 restaurants did not pass the first inspection. Of those, one was in violation of “misbranding” and “misrepresentation” of menu items for customers.
For DeSoto County, 4 out of 7 restaurants did not pass the first inspection.
For Sarasota County, 26 out of 103 restaurants did not pass the first inspection. Of those, one was given an ordered callback inspection after a receiving a high-priority violation due to more than 30 “flying insects.”
Sarasota County (Sarasota, Venice, North Port)
These restaurants received up to 17 violations, with three food-related stop sales, one flying insect violation code and multiple live mold violation codes.
NEAT, 8383 S Tamiami Trail Unit 108, Sarasota
Seven high-priority violations, one intermediate violation and nine basic violations found during April 25 inspection.Report states 15 flying insects found at bar area, 10 by dishwashing machine area and 10 by dry storage area.Concerns of “food not being in a wholesome, sound condition” prompted authorities to issue a stop-sale order.After a required follow-up inspection, Neat received only one intermediate violation and seven basic violations.
DARUMA, 4910 S Tamiami Trl #5147-122, Sarasota
Three high-priority violations, two intermediate violations and 12 basic violations found during May 2 inspection.High priority violations included use of non-food grade paper towels and time/temperature control for cold food.
DUTCH VALLEY RESTAURANT, 6721 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Five high-priority violations, two intermediate violations and eight basic violations found during April 30 inspection.High priority violations included raw animal food incorrectly stored over soft serve ice cream mix and re-served butter packets.
MAESTRALE RESTAURANT, 7515 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Seven high-priority violations, one intermediate violation and six basic violations found during May 8 inspection.High priority violations included mishandling of raw animal foods, employee hygiene and cross contamination.Authorities issued a stop sale for “time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse,” requiring a follow-up inspection.
METRO DINER, 2053 S Tamiami Trail, Venice
Six high-priority violations, five intermediate violations and five basic violations found during April 16 inspection.High priority violations included mishandling of raw animal foods, employee hygiene and cross contamination.Authorities issued a stop sale for “time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse” for milk, butter and raw fish.After a required follow-up inspection, the restaurant received three intermediate violations and one high priority violation.
BUFFALO WINGS & RINGS, 1081 W Price Blvd, North Port
Two intermediate violations and 10 basic violations found during April 4 inspection.Violations included accumulated green/black mold inside ice bin, reach in coolers, microwave and oven.Authorities also raised concern after observing an employee’s chocolate milk in the walk-in cooler “not segregated” from customer items.
DeSoto County (Arcadia)
These restaurants received up to 12 violations, with two food-related stop sales and multiple expired operating licenses.
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, 2709 Se Hwy 70, Arcadia
Two high-priority violation, seven intermediate violations and three basic violations found during April 16 inspection.Authorities issued a stop sale for “time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse,” requiring a follow-up inspection.
SUPER SMASH BURGER, 2000 Voss Oaks Cir, Arcadia
One high-priority violation, four intermediate violations and one basic violation found during April 24 inspection.Authorities found the mobile food dispensing vehicle operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license and food manager certification, requiring a follow-up inspection.The same day follow-up showed no proof of required state approved employee training provided for employees hired more than 60 days ago, resulting in an intermediate violation along with two basic violations.
ESTELLA’S LA RANCHERITA, 210 W Magnolia St, Arcadia
Three high-priority violations, one intermediate violation and one basic violation found during April 26 inspection.Authorities issued a stop sale for “time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse” for cut tomatoes, sour cream and sauces, requiring a follow-up inspection.
Charlotte County (Port Charlotte, Cape Haze)
These restaurants received up to 20 violations, with one reported for “misbranding” menu items.
BIG BAMBOO ASIAN FUSION, 4104 El Jobean Rd, Port Charlotte
Three high-priority violations, five intermediate violations and 12 basic violations were found during April 9 inspection.Report states “misbranding and misrepresentation” violations were given after observing “Escolar used in place of white tuna” even though white tuna was advertised on the menu.Also given a violation for not listing which menu items contained raw or undercooked animal food.Multiple violations were given for incorrectly storing and separating raw animal food from other products, resulting in required follow-up inspection.
RUM BAY RESTAURANT, 7092 Placida Rd, Cape Haze
Four high-priority violations, four intermediate violations and 10 basic violations were found during May 2 inspection.Concerns of “time/temperature control for safety food due to time abuse” prompted authorities to issue a stop-sale order.Multiple violations were given for incorrectly storing and separating raw animal foods and cross contamination, requiring follow-up inspection.
BUFFET CITY, 2150 Tamiami Trail Unit 30 & 31, Port Charlotte
Two high-priority violations, four intermediate violations and six basic violations were found during April 25 inspection.Violations include unclean food-contact surfaces, use of cracked/shell eggs and dented/rusted cans.
PRIME, 19665 Cochran Blvd, Port Charlotte
Two high-priority violations, two intermediate violations and seven basic violations were found during May 7 inspection.Violations given for lack of time/temperature control of food, sanitized food-contact surfaces and proper room ventilation equipment.
Most Popular
Comments / 0