Dirty dining: Raw meat, raw eggs and sanitizer stored too close to food at 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, several restaurants were cited for storing raw meat, raw eggs or sanitizer too close to food or food preparation areas.

Here is what inspectors found.

Pho Street, 4304 14th St. W., Bradenton

• An inspector observed insecticide that was not labeled for restaurant use in the kitchen. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw shell eggs were stored over noodles and lettuce. Corrective action was taken.
• Shrimp and bean sprouts were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• An inspector observed vegetables in an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Items were stored in an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• There was no certified food manager for the establishment.
• There was no probe thermometer at hand to measure the temperature of food products.
• Multiple food items in a walk-in cooler were not date-marked.
• A slicer blade guard was soiled with old food debris.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• A rear-kitchen door was not self-closing.
• No handwashing sign was placed at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Multiple reach-in coolers did not have ambient air temperature thermometers, according to an inspector.
• A floor fan in a food preparation area was soiled. Corrective action was taken.
• Multiple employees were not wearing proper hair restraints while preparing food.
• An employee drink was stored on a food preparation table. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of debris on a warewashing machine.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

The Spot Tacos and More, 2303 First St., Bradenton

• During a follow-up visit for previous issues, an inspector found that the problems had not been resolved.
• The restaurant was still operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• There was no proof of required training for three employees hired more than 60 days prior.
• There was still no certified food manager for the establishment.
• There were still no test kits available for measuring the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.
• Another follow-up inspection was required.

Jaxx Sportsbar, 1035 Hasko Road, Palmetto

• Raw chicken was stored over unwashed fruits and vegetables in a walk-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
• A cutting board in a salad making area was stained/soiled.
• There was no probe thermometer at hand to measure the temperature of food products.
• Regular and takeout menus did not include a consumer advisory regarding raw/undercooked animal food that was offered. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator removed the takeout menus from service until they could be reprinted and posted a consumer advisory in the restaurant.
• A slicer blade guard was soiled with old food debris.
• A spray bottle was unlabeled. Corrective action was taken.
• Silverware was not stored inverted to prevent contamination. Corrective action was taken.
• Multiple food items were stored on the floor, according to an inspector.
• A walk-in cooler fan cover was soiled.
• An employee was preparing food with no hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.
• Hood filters were soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Central Cafe, 906 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton

• An open bucket of sanitizer was stored on a cutting board, creating potential for cross-contamination. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator double-bucketed the sanitizer and placed it on the floor.
• No time-marking was recorded for butter that was supposed to be monitored using time as a public health control. Corrective action was taken.
• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator paid for the license during the inspection.
• Reach-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• An ice scoop was stored on top of a dirty ice machine between uses. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Peggy’s Corral, 4511 U.S. 41, Palmetto

• An inspector observed pesticide that was not labeled for use in a restaurant. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• Proof of required training was not available for some employees.
• Water and soda syrup were stored on the floor.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

China Village, 7254 55th Ave. E., Bradenton

• Raw shell eggs were stored over ready-to-eat fried chicken in a refrigerator. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw shell eggs were held at an ambient air temperature greater than 45 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• The floor throughout a kitchen area was soiled.
• An employee was preparing food without a hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.
• An employee backpack was kept in a food storage area. Corrective action was taken.
• 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.

The Bradenton Herald’s weekly dirty dining reports list restaurants where inspectors found issues that might concern the average diner — such as unsafe food temperatures, employee handwashing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.

This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 5:00 AM.