Restaurants face issues with inaccurate thermometers, proper certification and mold

Manatee County restaurants faced an array of citations this week, including inaccurate temperature probes, “crusted debris” on milkshake mixers and mold-like substances near soda dispensing nozzles.

• By Nov. 13, Taco Bell, 8347 State Road 64, Bradenton, had failed to remedy citations that inspectors first issued during a Nov. 1 visit. Inspectors instructed the restaurant that it must fix a hose bibb and ensure that hot water was provided in the men’s restroom. The fast-food joint was also noted to have issues with employment certification. The manager lacked proof of food manager certification, there wasn’t a food-service manager on duty while more than four employees prepared food, and some employees lacked the required proof of state-approved training.
• At Slim’s Place, 204 Palmetto Ave., Anna Maria, the food manager certification had expired.
• Waterfront Restaurant, 111 South Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, will require repair of its hose bibb. Inspectors also cited the restaurant for improper sanitizer concentration, material encrusted on a can opener and for cooling mashed potatoes while covered.
• At River Strand Golf and Country Club, 7155 Grand Estuary Trail, Bradenton, employees failed to wash hands before changing gloves or putting on gloves. They also used bare hands to prepare food that wasn’t being cooked to the required minimum of 145 degrees for bare hand contact. Inspectors issued a Stop Sale when they observed bean soup that had been prepared the next day and was held in a cooler at 47 degrees; all other products were held at 43. The country club also failed to include a consumer advisory for undercooked foods and did not have proof of state-approved training for employees. Inspectors also observed a black/green mold-like substance near the nozzles of the bar soda gun.
• Inspectors cited Dairy Queen, 8307 State Road 64, Bradenton, for “crusted debris” on all three of its three milkshake mixer heads. The restaurant also was cited for not including all required information in employee training records and the inability to produce certificates for trained employees.
• Inspectors found that the ambient air thermometer of a holding unit at Island Coffee Haus, 317 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, was not accurate within 3 degrees. The operator voluntarily tossed potentially hazardous food from the unit. The Certified Food Manager on duty lacked knowledge of which symptoms of illness might prevent a worker from handling food, equipment and other items. The restaurant’s probe thermometer was also found to be inaccurate, giving readings as high as 50 degrees when placed in ice water.

This story was originally published November 21, 2017 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Restaurants face issues with inaccurate thermometers, proper certification and mold."