Introduction to Restaurant Inspections
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducts weekly inspections of restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties. These inspections are crucial in ensuring that restaurants maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety. Recently, five restaurants in South Florida were temporarily shut down by the state due to various violations, including rodent droppings, live roaches, and the absence of potable running water.
Understanding the Inspection Process
Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must remain closed until it passes a follow-up inspection. The inspection process involves checking for high-priority violations such as improper food temperatures, dead cockroaches, and other health hazards. If a customer spots a possible violation, they can file a complaint with the Florida DBPR.
Palm Beach County Restaurant Closures
Several restaurants in Palm Beach County were ordered shut due to high-priority violations. These include:
- MV Take Out Restaurant, located at 386 SE Second Ave., Unit C, Delray Beach, which was ordered shut on September 25. The reasons for the closure included about 50 rodent droppings in the kitchen, two live roaches, and eight dead roaches. Additionally, raw shell eggs were stored above cooked chicken.
- Kanto Asian Street Food, located at 720 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach, was also ordered shut on September 25. The violations included about eight live roaches in the kitchen, cooked pork stored without date marking, and an employee drink stored inside the reach-in freezer.
- Sabor Latino, located at 1500 Gateway Blvd., Suite 100, Boynton Beach, was ordered shut on September 24. The reasons for the closure included six live roaches on the floor, a stop sale ordered for white rice due to time/temperature issues, and a wood morsel used for plantains that was not cleanable.
Broward County Restaurant Closures
In Broward County, several restaurants were also ordered shut due to high-priority violations. These include:
- Toa Toa Chinese Restaurant, located at 4145 NW 88th Ave., Sunrise, which was ordered shut on September 23. The reasons for the closure included five live flies, no potable running water, and an operator handling pork without washing hands due to the lack of potable water.
- Fresh & Wild Fish Restaurant, located at 838 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach, was ordered shut on September 24. The violations included about 14 live roaches in the kitchen, about 7 live flies, raw fish wraps stored above containers of ginger and cucumbers, and a gallon of milk not properly date marked.
Conclusion
The temporary closure of these restaurants highlights the importance of maintaining high standards of hygiene and food safety in the food industry. Restaurants must ensure that they have potable running water, store food properly, and maintain a clean environment to prevent the presence of rodents and insects. By doing so, they can prevent the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensure a safe dining experience for their customers.
FAQs
- What happens when a restaurant fails a state inspection?
A restaurant that fails a state inspection must remain closed until it passes a follow-up inspection. - How can I file a complaint about a restaurant?
You can file a complaint with the Florida DBPR if you spot a possible violation at a restaurant. - What are high-priority violations?
High-priority violations include improper food temperatures, dead cockroaches, and other health hazards that can pose a risk to public health. - Can a restaurant reopen after being shut down?
Yes, a restaurant can reopen after being shut down once it passes a follow-up inspection and addresses all the violations cited by the state.
