Dirty dining: Dirty hands and other health violations found at area fast food restaurants

During the most recent inspections of Manatee County, several local fast food restaurants were cited for food handling and cleanliness violations.

Problems included unsafe food temperatures, handwashing issues and improper storage of raw meat.

Here is what inspectors found.

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, 7155 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton

• An employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves, according to an inspector. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw chicken was stored over french fries with no barrier in place. A restaurant operator separated the foods.
• The establishment was operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
• There was no proof of required training for any employees.
• Deli sandwiches that had been made on site were not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• A spray bottle containing a toxic substance was not labeled. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• Single service items were stored unprotected from contamination. Corrective action was taken.
• There was a hole in a wall above a mop sink.
• Dairy products were stored uncovered in a reach-in cooler. The items were removed.
• The floor under a soda fountain in the dining area was soiled with sticky substance.
• An inspector observed multiple employees engaged in food preparation without proper hair restraints. A restaurant operator provided hair restraints.
• An employee drink was stored on a food prep table. It was removed.
• Multiple cutting boards were no longer cleanable, according to an inspector.
• Ceiling vents in the women’s restroom were soiled.
• Ceiling tiles throughout the kitchen and dining area were damaged and/or missing.
• A follow-up inspection was required.
  
  

Jimmy John’s, 83 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota

• Butter was left out at ambient temperature for more than four hours. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse.
• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Hot water at a handwash sink did not reach 100 degrees.
• Proof of required training was not available for some employees.
• The floor of a walk-in cooler was soiled.
• An inspector observed approximately five missing ceiling tiles in kitchen and storage areas.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Taco Bell, 15215 Garnet Trail, Bradenton

• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Open containers of diced tomatoes and pico de gallo were not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• No handwashing sign was provided at a sink used by food employees. Corrective action was taken.
• A desk chair was located inside of a walk-in freezer with food. It was removed.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Skyline Chili, 4112 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch

• Shredded cheese was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw pork product was stored over cooked product. The foods were separated.
• A portion of the floor in a food preparation area was unsealed concrete.
• An employee drink was stored on a food preparation table. It was removed.
• There was an accumulation of limescale inside of a dishmachine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.
  
  

Editor’s Note: According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, these reports are a “snapshot” of the conditions present at the time of the inspection and are public record. The agency is required to inspect every licensed restaurant at least once per year, but new and “high-risk” establishments tend to be inspected more frequently.

When an emergency shutdown order is given by an inspector, it must first be reviewed and approved by agency supervisors. In order for a business to reopen, an inspector will continue visiting the establishment daily until compliance is met. Some citations may include a financial penalty. Inspectors may also respond to complaints, which can be filed here.

This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 5:00 AM.