A state inspector found mold and a ‘mushroom organism’ growing in a Smoothie King
A Miami Lakes Smoothie King had too many flies to count as well as a “mold-like substance and growth of mushroom organism,” according to a Florida Department of Agriculture’s Thursday inspection.
A sign on the brown paper door-and-window covering at 15366 NW 79th Court says Smoothie King closed for the weekend to re-train employees, upgrade equipment and paint.
But, under the covering, on the actual door, a red sign screams of the Stop Use Order (mistakenly marked as a Stop Sale Order, an order put on food) put on all the processing areas and equipment after Thursday’s inspection.
Though Ag Department inspectors can’t shut down a place for failing inspection as Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation inspectors can with restaurants, they can drop enough Stop Use Orders to make opening pointless.
State of Florida listings say this franchise is owned by Related Group Miami Lakes, LLC, a company created by Fausto Fajardo in 2012 for running this store. The store opened in 2013. Since failing an inspection in August 2017, it’s passed three scheduled inspections and 11 focused inspections (inspections dealing with one particular complaint or possible issue).
But when inspector Jose Pavon dropped by Thursday, here’s what he saw:
“...observed heavily solid mold like residue on vitamix blender and lids.”
“...observed unsanitary conditions of hoshizake ice machine with heavy mold-like residue through out the inside walls and ice chute.”
“...observed numerous amounts of flying insects, too many to count, through drains and food prep tables, throughout the food establishment.”
“...observed extreme unsanitary conditions through out food establishment with mold-like substance and growth of mushroom organism under counters above blender and ice bin prep table.”
In a statement e-mailed Sunday night to the Miami Herald, Smoothie King’s corporate office commented on the filth found at this franchise.
“Maintaining a clean and healthy operation is a foundational priority inside our stores, and we take these violations incredibly seriously,” the corporation said. “Since the inspection, we have worked closely with the owner to effectively and completely remediate each violation to restore the healthy and safe in-store environment for our guests.
“We have also appealed for an immediate re-inspection and expect to reopen shortly after.”
This story was originally published February 23, 2020 at 2:21 PM.
