Bare hands and unsafe temperatures noted at two Anna Maria Island restaurants

Repeat violations for mishandling and improper food temperatures were subjects of complaints given to two Anna Maria Island restaurants last week.

During a routine food inspection at Paradise Bagel & Cafe, 3220 East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach, two repeat high priority violations were identified in a Aug. 2 visit, according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. After employees were found to be touching bagels and dressings with their bare hands in a previous inspection, at least one employee still handled food without gloves in the most recent inspection.

“Employee stated she was not aware that a barrier should be used when handling food after it is cooked,” the inspection report read. Barriers such as tongs, gloves and food-grade paper were on site.

Also dairy products and fish were refrigerated at temperatures above 41 degrees Fahrenheit, which had been noted in a previous inspection, according to the report. Bags of ice were used to bring down the ambient temperature.

Just two miles south at The Freckled Fin, 101 Bridge St., cheese, meat and ice cream mix were stored at unsafe temperatures, then corrected on site. Employees were also seen handling dirty dishes immediately before clean dishes, without washing their hands in between.

All the major violations were corrected, but follow-up inspections will be required.

This story was originally published August 7, 2017 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Bare hands and unsafe temperatures noted at two Anna Maria Island restaurants."