Dirty dining: Unsafe food temperatures, handwashing issues at Bradenton area restaurants

Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants, food trucks and other food service establishments for public health and cleanliness issues.

During the most recent inspections in Manatee County, restaurants were cited for problems that included potentially hazardous food stored at unsafe temperatures and employee handwashing issues. A food truck was cited for a lack of running water inside.

Here is what inspectors found.

Taqueria Morales (food truck), 5645 15 St. E., Bradenton

• The food truck was operating with no running water. A restaurant operator restored the use of water to the food truck before the inspection was complete.
• Hot water was not provided at an employee handwash sink due to the lack of running water in the food truck. Corrective action was taken.
• Cold and hot water were not provided at a warewashing sink due to the lack of running water in the food truck. Corrective action was taken.
• A refrigerator did not have a clearly visible air temperature thermometer.
• An employee was preparing food without a hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.
• A follow-up inspection was required. The business met inspection standards during a follow-up visit the next day.

The Breakfast Company, 7246 55th Ave. E., Bradenton

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
• Stacked trays of raw shell eggs were stored at an ambient temperature greater than 45 degrees on the cook line. An inspector advised on correct procedure. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator placed the eggs in a reach-in cooler.
• Pastries with cream cheese, pancake batter and french toast batter were held at ambient temperature. Corrective action was taken.
• A sanitizer bucket was stored by clean or in-use utensils. Corrective action was taken.
• An employee was preparing food without a hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.
• Coffee filters were stored unprotected from contamination. Corrective action was taken.
• There was a heavy buildup of dust on a ceiling vent above a dishmachine and a storage rack for clean utensils.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 5425 University Parkway, University Park

• Pasta, fresh mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for the items due to temperature abuse.
• An in-use wet wiping cloth was stored under a cutting board on the cook line. Corrective action was taken.
• Hood filters were soiled.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Cafe Havana, 1440 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton

• An employee rubbed hands together for less than the required 10-15 seconds while handwashing and then began to prepare food.
• Raw meat items (chicken and pork) were not separated from one another based upon minimum cooking temperature. Corrective action was taken.
• Cheese pastries were hot held at a temperature less than 135 degrees in a holding unit at the front counter. A restaurant operator discarded the food.
• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed.
• A handwash sink was used to fill a bucket of water.
• Cooked beef that had been previously frozen was not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• Hood filters on the cook line were soiled.
• 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 5, 2021 at 5:00 AM.