2 more Polk County food vendors fall short of standards. Four are perfect. See the reports
Two more Polk County restaurants fell short of standards during inspections recently, according to state reports for May 13-19.
One of the restaurants was inspected on May 10, but its report didn’t appear in the state database until later.
Among the two restaurants that fell short, there were eight total violations, three of which were for issues with employee training.
In another exceptionally light week, there were only 17 inspections logged between May 13 and 19. Of those, 16 met standards and three were perfect on their initial inspections — or an inspection that wasn’t required by previous violations). Four others had perfect inspections on call backs — a follow-up required of restaurants that previously fell short.
And throughout the county, there were no violations for rodents or insects.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as “a snapshot” of a particular moment at the restaurant, and reminds diners that it’s not necessarily an indication of normal conditions.
Many violations are not the kind that might alarm the common diner. So each week, The Ledger details the reasons restaurants failed to meet standards, so readers can decide. To search inspection reports for any restaurant in Polk County, see The Ledger’s searchable database at https://data.theledger.com/restaurant-inspections/polk.
May 6-12 2 Polk County restaurants fall short of standards in recent reports. See why
Restaurants that fell short, and why
Only one restaurant failed to meet standards between May 13 and 19. But another, whose inspection took place earlier, didn’t appear in the database until last week. They’re both included here.
Zaxby's, 590 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow: On May 16, the restaurant had six violations, one intermediate and five basic. The intermediate violation was for failing to provide proof of state-approved food-safety training for employees. Among the basic violations, one was for an accumulation of a mold-like substance on the interior of an ice machine; one was for food debris or soil residue on drawer handles on the cook line; one was for a case of liquid shortening stored on the floor of the dry storage area; one was soiled interiors of reach-in coolers; and the last was for insufficient light provided in the walk-in cooler. A warning was issued and a follow-up inspection required.
Swamp Boys BBQ, 1060 Alpha Ave., Bartow: On May 10, the food truck had two intermediate violations, both related to employee training. It lacked proof of required state-approved food-safety training for employees, and it failed to show proof employees were informed of their responsibility to report information about their health and food-borne illnesses. A warning was issued and a follow-up inspection was required.
April 22 to May 5: 5 Polk County restaurants fall short of inspection standards. See why
Perfection
It’s tough to get a perfect initial inspection, but these four vendors all did that recently. Three of them did so between May 13 and 19. The fourth, Antojitos, happened on May 9, but the inspection didn’t appear in the database until last week. All four of this week’s perfect vendors are food trucks.
Antojitos Mexican Kitchen, mobile vendor, 1331 State Road 60, Lake Wales
B' More Bitez, mobile vendor, 27999 U.S. 27, Dundee
El Paladar Latino Foods LLC, mobile vendor, 1100 U.S. 17-92 N., Haines City
Ratatouille Y Su Cocina Cubana, mobile vendor, 231 E. Lake Ave., Auburndale
April 8-21: Two Polk restaurants closed by inspectors: 1 for roaches, another for construction issues
Keep in mind as you read
Remember that in some cases, violations are noted are technical issues not directly linked to hygiene or cleanliness. Remember, too, that broken refrigerators, chipped tiles or fast work may add up to unintended mistakes.
Regardless, if you notice abuses of state standards, report them and DBPR will send inspectors. Call 1-850-487-1395.
The terminology
What does all that terminology in state restaurant inspections mean?
Basic violations are those considered against best practices.
A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.
An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: “Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over.”
An emergency order — when a restaurant is closed by the inspector — is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.
A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license and the establishment may reopen only after inspection shows that all high-priority violations that caused the suspension are corrected.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: 2 more Polk County food vendors fail to meet standards. See why