Improper food holding temperatures, raw animal food storage violations plague Manatee County restaurants

In the past week of restaurant inspections, two issues in particular plagued several Manatee County restaurants: unsafe food holding temperatures and raw animal food storage.

▪  Checkers, 5140 W. Cortez Road Unit 161, where a stop sale was issued on Philly cheese steak and cheesecake filling during an Aug. 11 inspection. Inspectors returned on Aug. 11 and no violations were found. But they returned again the next day and again found improper food-holding temperatures. Inspectors will make a follow-up visit at an unspecified date.

▪  Island Gourmet Grill, 5910 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, where a stop sale was issued on blue cheese and goat cheese. Both were discarded, according to the inspection report. Rama sauce (cream, herbs, marinara), a hot food, was held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the threshold for holding hot foods. Other ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food was opened more than seven days earlier, which violates inspection standards. Inspectors observed crab artichoke dip and Rockefeller sauce dated the first week of August. Operators corrected this issue on-site, per the report. The Island Gourmet Grill was also cited for “nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Operator unaware of species of tuna being served raw. Unable to verify species of tuna via invoice. No parasite destruction letter available at time if the inspection. Per invoice, fish is wild caught.” Operators were given a warning for this violation, and then given a time extension when inspectors returned on Aug. 15. Inspectors returned once more on Aug. 21 and gave another time extension, this time advising “operator to obtain documentation from provider that indicates type/species of fish being offered undercooked at establishment.”

▪  A Moveable Feast, 5406 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, was cited for holding cold foods at temperatures greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit; the standard for safe cold food-holding temperatures. “Observed 48-ounce container of ricotta cheese stored on top of reach in facing pizza oven. No time or temperature control in use,” according to the report. A Moveable Feast was also cited during the Aug. 11 inspection for storing “raw breaded chicken labeled chicken Parmesan stored directly above raw shrimp” and for “manager lacking proof of food manager certification.” Inspectors observed an employee who failed to follow proper hand-washing procedures. Inspectors returned again on Aug. 14, recorded seven more intermediate and basic violations, and returned again on Aug. 18, when the restaurant met inspection standards, according to the reports.

▪  Waffle House, 603 67th St. E., was cited during an Aug. 14 inspection for holding mushrooms and iceberg lettuce at temperatures higher than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Inspectors also cited the establishment for expired state-required employee training. Inspectors will return to conduct a follow-up inspection at an unspecified date.

▪  The Moc Bar and Grill, 9860 Buffalo Road, Palmetto, had administrative complaints filed for “not properly separating raw animal foods from each other in holding unit” after an Aug. 14 inspection. “Raw chicken and raw shell eggs stored above raw beef in left side of line reach in cooler,” per the report. Inspectors also did not find proof of state-required employee training provided for the staff.

▪  At Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive, a stop sale was issued on cooked onions during an Aug. 15 inspection. “Observed cooked onions being monitored via time without time stamp assessed,” per the report. Inspectors also recorded hot foods held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit and improper food-cooling methods in use. Inspectors returned on Aug. 16 and found no violations.

▪  Mr. Bones BBQ, 3007 Gulf Drive, inspectors recorded a violation for holding the following cold foods at temperatures less than 41 degrees Fahrenheit: feta cheese, coleslaw, sour cream, Key lime pie, macaroni and cheese dinners, pico de gallo, chicken wings and cooked spaghetti. Inspectors also observed raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the walk-in cooler and an employee failing to adhere to proper hand-washing practices. Corrective action was taken on both violations, per the report. Inspectors returned on Aug. 16 and again observed the food-temperature issue. They will return to conduct a follow-up inspection at an unspecified date.

▪  Minnie’s Beach Cafe, 5360 Gulf Drive, was cited for holding the following foods at temperatures higher than 41 degrees Fahrenheit: sausage patties, pork, potato salad, macaroni salad and cut cantaloupe. Raw animal food was also stored over ready-to-eat food, per the report, and corrective action was taken on both violations. Inspectors also observed employees failing to adhere to proper hand-washing procedures. Inspectors returned the next day and cited the cafe for improper food-cooling procedures and “Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.” Inspectors will return to conduct a follow-up inspection at an unspecified date.

▪  At Key Royale Club, 700 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach, a stop sale was issued on prepared food not consumed or sold within seven days after opening. Inspectors also observed raw chicken breast held at temperatures above 41 degrees Fahrenheit, raw animal foods not properly separated from one another and improper hand-washing procedures. Inspectors returned on Aug. 21 and gave operators a time extension on the violations.

▪  At Station 400, 8215 Lakewood Main St. No. 103, Lakewood Ranch, inspectors observed an employee crack eggs and then handle ready-to-eat food without washing hands. The report also notes that the restaurant’s menu fails to specify which items are made with raw or undercooked animal foods as required. Other violations included hot foods held at temperatures lower than 135 degrees Fahrenheit and “shell eggs held at room temperature with an ambient air temperature greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.” Corrective action was taken on one of the violations and operators were given warnings for others. Inspectors will return to conduct a follow-up inspection at an unspecified date.

▪  Little Greek Fresh Grill, 8310 Market St., was cited during an Aug. 18 inspection for storing raw shell eggs above ready-to-eat dressings in the walk-in cooler. Inspectors will return to conduct a follow-up inspection at an unspecified date.

▪  Skinny’s Place, 3901 Gulf Drive, was cited for improper food-cooling methods as well as storing cold foods at temperatures higher than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold foods included provolone and Swiss cheeses. Inspectors also noted the restaurant did not have a certified food service manager on duty and they were not able to find proof of state-required employee training. Inspectors will return to conduct a follow-up inspection at an unspecified date.

▪  Little Caesars, 4458 Cortez Road, was cited for failure to have proof that a certified food service manager is on duty while four or more employees were preparing food. Inspectors also cited the pizza restaurant for a lack of proof of state-required employee training. Inspectors will return to conduct a follow-up inspection at an unspecified date.

This story was originally published August 22, 2017 at 11:44 AM with the headline "Improper food holding temperatures, raw animal food storage violations plague Manatee County restaurants."