6 Polk County food vendors fall short of standards July 1-7. See who, and why
Six Polk County food vendors failed to meet inspection standards July 1-7, according to state inspection reports.
Of 26 total inspections logged during the holiday week, 20 met standards, including five that were perfect on their initial inspection (an inspection that’s not a follow-up mandated by previous violations).
There wasn’t a single violation for rodents or insects across the county.
As usual, violations that cause vendors to fall short of standards can be for a wide variety of things, not all of which would would be alarming to cause the common diner. Among the six restaurants this week, there were 11 total violations and five of those were for clerical-type issues, such as invalid licenses, expired manager food certification or training for employees. In fact, four of the vendors had only one clerical-type violation during their inspections. But licensing, certification and training issues are very common ways to fail an inspection.
June 17-30: 3 Polk County food vendors fall short of inspection standards. See who, and why
The Ledger details the violations of the restaurants that fell short so readers can decide.
It’s not uncommon for restaurants that meet standards to have violations that might be more alarming to diners. To see inspection reports for any restaurant in Polk County, go to The Ledger’s online, searchable database at data.theledger.com/restaurant-inspections/polk.
Food vendors that fell short, and why
Among the six that fell short, five were brick-and-mortar restaurants and one was a food truck.
Taqueria Torres, 401 Ashley Place, Haines City: On July 2, the food truck had three violations. Two were intermediate, and both involved a lack of hot water at the three-compartment sink and handwash sink. One basic violation was for an unwashed avocado with the sticker on it stored with ready-to-eat food. W warning was issued and a follow-up required. As of Monday, no follow-up had been logged in state reports.
Sweetwater Golf & Tennis Club, 1400 Sweetwater Club Blvd., Haines City: On July 2, the restaurant had just one violation – operating on a suspended license. An administrative complaint was recommended and a follow-up required. As of Monday, no follow-up appeared in state reports.
June 3-16: 4 Polk County food vendors fall short of standards during inspections. See why
Curry Leaves Lakeland, 3260 U.S. 98 N., Lakeland: On July 2, the restaurant had one intermediate violation. The inspector noted that renovations were made or were in progress without a plan submitted and approved. A warning was issued and a follow-up required. As of Monday, no follow-up appeared in state reports.
Eggs Up Brunch, 19301 U.S. 27, Lake Wales: On July 3, the restaurant had a callback from a May 1 inspection in which three violations were found. In the follow-up inspection, only one violation remained – the food manager’s certification was expired. An administrative complaint was recommended and another follow-up was required. No follow-up appeared in state reports as of Monday.
La Garita, 28067 U.S. 27, Dundee: On July 3, the restaurant had a single violation – lacking proof of state-approved food-safety training for employees (intermediate). A warning was issued. As of Monday, no follow-up was logged in state reports.
Dairy Queen of Lake Wales, 24171 U.S. 27, Lake Wales: On July 3, the restaurant had four violations -- two high-priority, one intermediate and one basic. Among the high priority violations, the restaurant was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license and the inspector noted toxic chemicals stored next to a shaker and cup holders at the front counter. The intermediate violation was for no hand-drying towels or device at the handwash sink. (The operator replaced the paper towels.) And the basic violation was for an accumulation of a mold-like substance on the flap inside the ice machine. (The operator cleaned and sanitized.) An administrative complaint was recommended. As of Monday, no follow-up appeared in state reports.
May 20 to June 3: 1 Polk County restaurant falls short of standards in recent inspections. See why
Perfection
Of the five that were perfect on initial inspection during the week, three were mobile vendors (food trucks) and two were brick-and-mortar restaurants. Four were from Haines City, the other Winter Haven.
La Michoacana, 5570 U.S. 17-92 W. Unit 90, Haines City
Parada Jibara, mobile vendor, 5570 U.S. 17-92 Unit 100, Haines City
R&B Jamaican Cuisine, mobile vendor, 2255 U.S. 17-92, Haines City
Social On Cypress, 7350 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven
Boca2 Latin Fusion Cuisine, mobile vendor, 950 Lily Ave., Haines City
May 13-19: 2 more Polk County food vendors fall short of standards. Four are perfect. See the reports
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 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: See why 6 Polk food vendors fell short of standards July 1-7.
