Inspectors temporarily close Bradenton grill and bar with rodent issue

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 recent inspections in Manatee County, a grill and bar in Bradenton was temporarily shut down after inspectors found signs of rodent activity and other food safety issues on site.

Cantina Grill & Bar, 5108 15th St. E. #107, Bradenton — Inspected and temporarily shut down Dec. 3

• High priority: An inspector observed rodent droppings in several areas of the restaurant: approximately five droppings under a three-compartment sink, five droppings in a dry storage area, five droppings by a hot water heater and 15 droppings behind a stove range and grill in the main kitchen area.
• High priority: Cooked rice and beans, tomato salsa, cooked beef and chicken soup in a reach-in cooler were date-marked as more than a week old, an inspector noted. A stop sale was issued due to the age of the food, and a restaurant operator discarded the items.
• High priority: A case of cooked chicken was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees in a storage room. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse, and a restaurant operator discarded the food.
• High priority: The business was operating with an expired license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
• Intermediate: An inspector observed an employee wash hands in a dishwashing sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Intermediate: The establishment had no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
• Intermediate: No test kit was at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing and/or wiping cloths.
• Intermediate: No paper towels were provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Intermediate: There was no proof that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illness. Corrective action was taken.
• Intermediate: No soap was provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Intermediate: A spray bottle containing a toxic substance was not labeled. Corrective action was taken.
• Basic: An inspector noted three basic violations, including soiled floors and cases of beverages stored on the floor.
• The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on Dec. 4 and was allowed to reopen.

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 MyFloridaLicense.com.