Bradenton-area McDonald’s briefly shut down during restaurant health inspections
Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants, food trucks and other food service establishments for public health and cleanliness issues.
The reports are public information.
During the most recent inspections in Manatee County, a local McDonald’s was briefly shut down for having no running water on site.
Here is what inspectors found:
McDonald’s, 3631 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
- An inspector ordered that McDonald’s be temporarily shut down on April 24 after it was observed that the restaurant was operating without potable running water.
- Chlorine sanitizer in use to sanitize towels was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
- A follow-up inspection was required before the restaurant could reopen. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit later that day and was allowed to reopen.
Tropical Ice Cream & Cafe, 5461 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton (inside Ellenton Premium Outlets)
- There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.
- There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
- A follow-up inspection was required.
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 at www.myfloridalicense.com.
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 hand-washing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.