Dirty dining: Inspectors find moldy food and equipment at Bradenton area restaurants

Many restaurants in Manatee County have reopened for dine-in service, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants has resumed routine inspections for public health and cleanliness issues.

During the most recent inspections of Manatee County, several restaurants were cited for problems that include mold-like substances growing on produce and inside of equipment and failure to properly date-mark foods.

Here is what inspectors found.

Pirate City, 1701 27th St. E., Bradenton

• An inspector observed produce in “unwholesome” condition. A cucumber and six green peppers had a mold-like growth. A restaurant operator voluntarily discarded the items.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• Reach-in cooler shelves were soiled with a mold-like substance.
• Open whipping cream was not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• The establishment offered over easy eggs for breakfast without a written consumer advisory about consuming raw or undercooked foods. An inspector provided consumer advisory information.

• Required employee training had been provided by an unapproved provider. An inspector provided information about apporved training providers.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

Primo! Ristorante, 8076 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

• Mushrooms, sausage, cooked plants and garlic in oil were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for the foods due to temperature abuse.
• The interior of an ice machine was soiled with mold-like substance.
• There was an accumulation of encrusted food debris on/around a mixer head.

• A certified food manager was unable to answer basic food code questions pertaining to the safe operation of the establishment.

• An inspector observed soiled cutting boards on the cook line.

• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.

• A scrub pad was stored in an employee handwash sink.

• A slicer blade was soiled with old food debris.

• A toxic substance that was not required for the operation of the establishment was stored on site. An inspector observed paint and painting supplies near a food storage area.

• A wet wiping cloth was not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.

• The interior of a microwave was soiled with encrusted food debris.

• Employee food was stored in a reach-in cooler with food to be served to customers.

• Cases of food were stored on the floor throughout the kitchen and walk-in freezer.

• Cardboard used as a floor liner in a walk-in cooler and in a dish prep area was soiled.

• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.

• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit.

I Scream For Ice Scream, 1707 First Street E., Bradenton (Red Barn Flea Market)

• Vanilla ice cream mix and chocolate ice cream mix were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse. The items were voluntarily discarded.
• Raw shell eggs were stored over ready-to-eat food items in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.

• A certified food manager or person in charge lacked knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food. An inspector provided information about foodborne illnesses.

• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance inside of an ice bin.

• A certified food manager was unable to answer basic questions about allergens. An inspector provided allergen information.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

Central Cafe, 906 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton

• Mashed potatoes were cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. The potatoes had been held overnight. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse. The food was voluntarily discarded.
• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
• Hot water at an employee handwash sink did not reach 100 degrees.
• Garlic butter was held at room temperature without the proper use of “time as public health control” procedures. An inspector provided documentation to the restaurant operator. Corrective action was taken.
• A manager lacked proof of food manager certification.
• The person in charge was unable to answer basic questions about allergens. An inspector provided allergen information.
• A reach-in cooler was pitted with rust and was not maintaining a cool enough temperature to store potentially hazardous foods.
• Cooked noodles and whipping cream that were being stored for future use were not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• A slicer blade guard was soiled with old food debris.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Louis Pappas Fresh Greek, 8512 Cooper Creek Blvd. # 100, Bradenton

• Deli meat, cooked chicken, multiple quantities of pasta, pesto, cheese, rice, soup, potato salad, cut tomatoes, gyro and tzatziki were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for all of the foods due to temperature abuse.
• An employee drink was stored on a food preparation table. A restaurant operator removed it.
• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow up visit.

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 June 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.