Dirty dining: Inspectors find food safety issues at Bradenton area fast food 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 fast food restaurants were cited for unsafe food temperatures and employee handwashing issues.

Other problems included equipment sanitizer that wasn’t strong enough and lack of proper food safety training for employees.

Here is what inspectors found.

Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings, 5020 14th St. W., Bradenton

• An inspector observed an employee change gloves without washing hands after handling chicken. The inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
• While handwashing, an employee rubbed hands together for less than the required 10-15 seconds, according to an inspector. The inspector advised on proper handwash procedure.
• Sanitizer used to clean equipment was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator dumped the sanitizer and refilled it at the proper concentration.
• No test kit was at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.
• To-go containers in packaging were stored on the floor. Corrective action was taken.
• An ice scoop handle was in contact with ice. Corrective action was taken.
• Employee drinks were stored on shelving used to store clean equipment. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Wendy’s, 5411 14th St. W., Bradenton

• Sliced cheese was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken. A manager moved the cheese to a freezer for rapid cooling.
• No test kits were at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing or sanitizing wiping cloths. A manager stated that the test kits were on order.
• There was no handwashing sign posted at a handwash sink used by food employees in the men’s restroom. Corrective action was taken.
• There was a buildup of dust on a walk-in cooler fan cover.
• There was ceiling condensation dripping in front of a three-compartment sink, at a vent near the front counter and in a walk-in cooler.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Jersey Mike’s Subs, 8210 Tourist Center Drive, University Park

• Tuna salad was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken. A manager discarded the food.

• There were no written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to monitor potentially hazardous food items. An inspector provided a restaurant operator with the correct procedures.

• There was food residue buildup in the door tracks of a reach-in cooler.

• An employee was wearing an ineffective hair restraint while preparing food, according to an inspector. Corrective action was taken.

• An employee beverage container was stored in a food preparation or clean equipment area. Corrective action was taken.

• Cutting boards on the service line were grooved and no longer cleanable, according to an inspector.

• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Wendy’s, 5420 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

• An inspector observed an employee washing hands with cold water. The inspector educated the employee and a manager on proper handwashing procedure.
• An inspector observed an employee crack a raw shell egg and then fail to wash hands and put on new gloves. The employee then handled single-service items. The inspector educated the employee and a manager on proper handwashing procedure. The manager discarded the single-service items that the employee touched.
• A self-serve soda dispenser nozzle was soiled.
• Hood ventilation filters were missing in a food preparation area.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Tijuana Flats, 5215 University Parkway #106, University Park

• The interior of an ice machine was soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
• Cutting boards were soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
• Required employee food safety training was expired for two servers.
• There was an accumulation of debris on walk-in cooler fan covers.
• There was standing water in the bottom of a reach-in beer cooler.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled.
• Reach-in cooler gaskets 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.

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 July 22, 2021 at 5:00 AM.