A food bank had too much rat poop to count. Key Biscayne roach infestation: Gross Grocers
Before we get to this week’s mix of vermin and vittles across South Florida’s food sellers, you should know that all those concession stands at Super Bowl fan events have been getting inspected.
All have passed (so far).
Unlike food trucks and restaurants, which get inspected by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, these inspections were done by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
Now to this week’s Gross Grocers, the inspection failures among the supermarkets, bodegas, convenience stores, minimarts, food processors, food storage facilities (you get the idea) in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.
Once again this week, Monroe’s clean. Also, at the bottom, we have which big chain stores got inspected and passed with hyperlinks to those inspections.
What follows comes from Florida Department of Agriculture inspections. If you see a problem at one of these places, do not email us. Click here and file a complaint. That’s what led to the spotting of this week’s most, ah, egregious violation. We don’t control who gets inspected or how strictly. We report without passion or prejudice, but we always have coupons for humor.
And we go in alphabetical order:
Okeechobee Shell, 5980 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach: There’s still no handwashing sink in the ware washing room, which the inspector pointed out in December. Stop Use Orders remain on all the food processing equipment. Oh, and the countertop cooler still doesn’t work.
Palm Beach County Food Bank, 525 Gator Dr., Lantana: Sometimes, we just get out of the way and let the inspection speak. For this one, we’re going to go get a colada (it’s been that kind of week) and reconnect when you’re done with this from inspector Shauna Gaye-Cox.
“Complaint stated that there was rodent and other pest infestation activity near food products. Complaint was found to be true.”
“A heavy accumulation of rat excreta too numerous to count were observed on the floor, pallets, chairs, metal lifts, and metal shelves in the dry good storage warehouses, the walk-in cooler, and the staff kitchen.
“Multiple rat excreta were observed on top of the miscellaneous dry food boxes (including, but not limited to, noodles, chocolate, and soups) in the non-refrigerated storage coolers in the dry storage warehouses. Specifically, multiple rat excreta were observed in direct contact with a gold medal brand flour bag on a pallet in the non refrigerated storage cooler in the dry storage warehouse.”
“A heavy accumulation of rat excreta were observed on the ledges between the outer walk-in cooler door and the outer bay door in the outer storage area.
“Five fruit flies were observed flying above spilled soda on the floor in front of the sign “da” in the dry storage warehouse. Three fruit flies were observed flying above bell peppers in a crate in front of the sign “dc” in the dry storage warehouse. Soda spillage was observed on the floor in front of the sign “da” in the dry storage warehouse.
“An approximately 3-inch gap leading to outside air was observed on both sides of the walk-in cooler door while the outer bay door was open at the time of the inspection. Flour spillage was observed on the floor in the dry storage warehouse.”
OK, let’s go to Publix…
Publix, 7060 W. Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton: Remain calm. The chicken tender subs are safe. This Publix self-reported a glycol leak in the seafood processing area.
The inspector noted, “The leak has been stopped and food processing in the area of the leakage has been voluntarily halted until one set of shelves can be removed by maintenance and a full cleanup of the affected area is achieved.”
7-Eleven, 51 Harbor Dr., Key Biscayne: Wednesday, inspector Moises Miguez dropped by and saw in the back room an, “infestation of live roaches on floor and walls located between the soda syrup rack and the ware wash sink.” So he made it rain Stop Use orders on the three-compartment sink, the doyon oven and all food preparation and serving utensils.
Tony’s Market and Deli, 5105 N. Dixie Hwy., Pompano Beach: These folks failed inspection almost before the inspector got out of the kitchen.
“Heavy grease deposits on stove hood filter. Grease dripping from stove hood.”
Which is worse? “Flying insects too numerous to count flying around trash by kitchen door.”
Or? “Observed employee use bare hands to prepare uncooked pork ribs. Inspector spoke with employee about minimizing bare hand contact with exposed food.”
Now, the ribs were cooked to 165 degrees for 15 seconds so the inspector didn’t make Tony’s give up a rib. But you got the idea that proper washing of hands and stuff wasn’t a habit here.
Path to the handwashing sink was blocked by “Several items stored in front of hand sink.” Also, observed “employee not sanitizing utensils and equipment before being dried.”
Out where shoppers were, “dry food particles and grease found on tongs and spoons stored inside unclean containers on boiled peanut and pickled items stations.”
Who’d want to head over there anyway with the “Flying insects too numerous to count flying around boiled peanut station.”
Fried gizzards, gravy, sausage patties, and diced potatoes inside the steam table hot (or not-hot-enough) unit got tossed for temperature abuse.
MAJOR CHAINS WITH STORES THAT PASSED INSPECTION
Aldi: 3452 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach
Publix: 10201 Hammocks Blvd, South Miami-Dade and 5997 Stirling Rd., Davie.
Dollar Tree: 125 Hypoluxo Rd., Hypoluxo.
Family Dollar: 533 SW 16th St., Belle Glade.
Dollar General: 1024 S. Main St., Belle Glade.
Sam’s Club: 4295 45th St., West Palm Beach.
Winn-Dixie: 1155 NW 11th St., Miami.
