Inspectors temporarily close Cortez restaurant with rodent issues

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 breakfast and lunch restaurant in Cortez was temporarily shut down after inspectors found signs of rodent activity and other food safety issues on site.

Cortez Cafe, 12108 Cortez Road W., Cortez — Inspected and temporarily shut down Dec. 19

• High priority: An inspector observed approximately five rodent droppings on a shelf under an electrical box in a back corner. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator cleaned and sanitized the area.
• High priority: Tzatziki sauce in a reach-in cooler had visible mold and was date-marked as almost three weeks old. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator voluntarily discarded the product.
• High priority: Sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength for warewashing in a three-compartment sink. An inspector took a sanitizer reading of zero. Corrective action was taken.
• High priority: An inspector observed pesticide that was not labeled for use in a food establishment. Corrective action was taken. The pesticide was discarded.
• High priority: The business was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Intermediate: A frozen ham and a measuring cup were stored in an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Basic: A bowl with no handle was being used to dispense hash browns on the cook line. Corrective action was taken.
• During a follow-up inspection the same day, no violations were observed and the restaurant 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.