Here’s why an inspector shut down ‘all food processing’ at a Broward grocery store
A state inspector stopped all food processing at a Margate grocer and threatened to ban the store from getting new food if “evidence of pest infestation” is found on the re-inspection.
The Stop N’ Shop at 5724 Royal Palm Blvd. got the worst result, “Re-Inspection Required,” when Florida Department of Agriculture Inspector Timothy O’Neil stopped by the store Monday. The store remains open, unlike restaurants that fail state inspection by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, but enough Stop Use Orders on areas and equipment can cause a business to decide opening isn’t a profitable use of time.
In the backroom, O’Neil saw “live roaches in the sink well of the three-compartment sink” and “dead roaches on the floor in corner of room with three compartment sink.” He dropped a Stop Use Order on all open food processing, utensils and equipment.
“If evidence of pest infestation is observed on the next inspection,” the inspection said, “a Stop Use Order will be issued on all receiving areas of the establishment and the establishment will no longer be allowed to receive additional food items. A Stop Use Order of all processing equipment will be issued and a Stop Sale Order of all exposed food items will be issued until the infestation is eradicated.”
READ MORE: A Fort Lauderdale grocer used a urinal as a sink and had mold on the peanut boiler
Also, the backroom three-compartment sink had “a build up of rust, grime and stains.”
The backroom also had “dust build up on the wall over beverages racks of the walk-in cooler. The walk-in cooler’s permanent beverage racks and underneath have a buildup of black mold-like substance.”
Still in the backroom, “The drink slides inside the walk-in cooler have a buildup of dust and black, mold-like substance.”
“The affected storage areas shall be completely cleared of all merchandise, cleaned and sanitized by the next inspection; no other merchandise may be added to the storage area, or a Broken Stop Use will be issued.”
The floor around the backroom three-compartment sink had “excess litter on the floor such as old mop heads, old food debris and clutter.”
Out in the retail area, the “coffee bean grinder was not clean to sight or touch.”
