Rodent Droppings and Slime-like Substance: A Concern for Restaurant Goers

Introduction to the Issue

The presence of rodent droppings and a "slime-like substance" on floors have been identified as significant issues in several restaurants in Palm Beach County. These findings were uncovered during inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The discovery of such health hazards raises concerns about the cleanliness and safety of the food served in these establishments.

Impact on Restaurants

Two restaurants in Palm Beach County were temporarily shut down due to the severity of the violations found during the inspections. The common issue among these restaurants was the presence of rodent droppings on top of their ice machines. Other violations included flies in the dish-washing area, lack of hand washing, and floors covered with a "slime-like substance." These findings highlight the need for stricter health and safety protocols in restaurants to prevent the spread of diseases.

Specific Violations in Palm Beach County

AJ’s American Grill

AJ’s American Grill, located at 6316 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, was ordered shut on May 28 due to 20 violations, including 10 high-priority ones. The violations included:

• About four rodent droppings in the kitchen on top of the ice machine and under the sink in the dish-washing area.
• About 10 live flies in the kitchen in the dish-washing area, landing on trash cans, walls, and shelves used to store clean and sanitized dishes, and in the dry storage area landing on sealed boxes.
• A server wiped their mouth with their hand and, without washing hands, handled a tin foil lid to cover a to-go container of cooked lobster.
• An employee handled a visibly soiled sanitizer cloth to wipe down a table and, without washing hands, handled clean and sanitized dishes.
• Time/temperature issues involved several food items, including cheeses, cooked pasta and rice, and meats.
• Floors under dish-washing areas were covered with a "slime-like substance."

CocoCabana Bar & Grill

CocoCabana Bar & Grill, located at 2944 S. Jog Road, Greenacres, was ordered shut on May 27 due to six violations, including three high-priority ones. The violations included:

• About 17 rodent droppings in the kitchen under canned goods storage shelves and on top of and under the ice machine, as well as at the bar on a drip mat with clean and sanitized mini buckets used to serve iced beers.
• Rodent rub marks in the kitchen hole in the wall next to the ice machine and canned goods storage rack.
• Raw pork stored directly above an open bucket of plantains in the reach-in cooler.
• Time/temperature issue involved a large bin of white rice in the reach-in cooler.

Comparison with Broward County

In contrast to Palm Beach County, no restaurants in Broward County were forced to close due to emergency orders. This difference highlights the variability in adherence to health and safety standards across different regions.

Conclusion

The presence of rodent droppings and a "slime-like substance" in restaurants poses significant health risks to consumers. It is essential for restaurants to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene to prevent the spread of diseases. Regular inspections by health authorities and strict adherence to health protocols are crucial in ensuring the safety of the food served in these establishments.

FAQs

1. What happens if a restaurant fails a state inspection?
   A restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up inspection.
2. How can I report a possible violation in a restaurant?
   If you spot a possible violation, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
3. What is considered a high-priority violation in a restaurant?
   High-priority violations include issues such as improper food temperatures, dead cockroaches, and the presence of rodent droppings, which can pose an immediate risk to consumer health.
4. Can I contact the Sun Sentinel to report a restaurant violation?
   No, the Sun Sentinel does not inspect restaurants. You should contact the Florida DBPR to report any violations.
   

   Two Palm Beach County restaurants temporarily shut by the state last week had one common issue: rodent droppings on top of their ice machines. Other violations included flies buzzing around a dish-washing area, a lack of hand washing, and floors covered with a “slime-like substance.”

   Meanwhile, in Broward County, no restaurants were forced to close because of emergency orders.

   The South Florida Sun Sentinel typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties. We cull through inspections that happen weekly and spotlight places ordered shut for “high-priority violations,” such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches.

Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up. If you spot a possible violation and wish to file a complaint, contact Florida DBPR. (But please don’t contact us: The Sun Sentinel doesn’t inspect restaurants.)

PALM BEACH COUNTY

AJ’s American Grill 
6316 Lantana Road, Lake Worth

Ordered shut: May 28

Why: 20 violations (10 high-priority), including:

• About four rodent droppings in kitchen “on top of ice machine” and “under sink in dish-washing area.”
• About 10 live flies in kitchen “in dish-washing area landing on trash can, walls and shelves used to store clean and sanitized dishes” and “in dry storage area landing on sealed boxes.”
• “Server wiped mouth with hand and, without washing hands, server handled tin foil lid to cover to-go container of cooked lobster.”
• “Employee handled visibly soiled sanitizer cloth to wipe down table and, without washing hands, employee handled clean and sanitized dishes.”
• “Employee entered kitchen through back door and, without washing hands, employee began to handle containers of food at cook line.”
•  Time/temperature issues involved mozzarella, Swiss, cheddar and American cheeses, cooked pasta and rice, Philly steak meat, raw steak, cooked chicken, cooked peppers, cooked mashed potatoes and french onion soup.
• Floors under dish-washing areas covered with a “slime-like substance.”

Status: Reopened May 29 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.

CocoCabana Bar & Grill
2944 S. Jog Road, Greenacres

Ordered shut: May 27

Why: Six violations (three high-priority), including:

• About 17 rodent droppings in kitchen “under canned goods storage shelves” and on top of and under ice machine, as well as at the bar “on drip mat with clean and sanitized mini buckets used to serve iced beers” and “under soda dispenser gun station.”
• Rodent rub marks in “kitchen hole in the wall next to ice machine and canned goods storage rack.”
• “Raw pork stored directly above open bucket of plantains” in reach-in cooler.
• Time/temperature issue involved “large bin of white rice” in reach-in cooler.

Status: Reopened May 28 after a follow-up visit found no violations.