UPDATE: Five restaurants in Central Florida were shut down last week due to serious health code violations, according to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This urgent development raises significant concerns for food safety in the region as inspectors uncovered numerous violations across several eateries from February 15-21, 2023.
The first establishment, Orange Taiwan Express, located at 3601 Columbia St. in Orlando, was closed on February 17 after inspectors identified a staggering 20 violations, including a high-priority issue for rodent activity. A follow-up inspection on February 20 revealed 12 violations, but crucially, none were high-priority, allowing the restaurant to reopen after meeting inspection standards.
Another concerning case is China Garden, situated at 2550 W. Colonial Dr. in Orlando. The restaurant was shut down on February 19 after inspectors discovered 24 violations, with three classified as high-priority, including nonfood-grade materials in direct contact with food, roach activity, and improperly stored food. Despite a follow-up on February 20 where the same issues persisted, the venue received an administrative complaint, yet it managed to meet inspection requirements.
In a similar situation, The Chimi Spot at 3900 S. Goldenrod Road was also shut down on February 20. Inspectors found 11 violations, including high-priority concerns of rodent activity and improper food separation. However, a subsequent inspection the next day revealed just seven violations, allowing the restaurant to reopen after addressing immediate threats.
Additionally, Brevard Alin’s Thai Street Food at 228 Highway A1A in Satellite Beach was closed on February 19 after inspectors reported nine violations, including a high-priority issue with rodent activity linked to 103 rat droppings. A follow-up inspection on February 29 indicated improvement, with only six violations noted, leading to an administrative complaint but no further closures.
Lastly, PizzaVola CB at 5240 N. Atlantic Ave. #150 in Cocoa Beach was shut down on February 17 due to 16 violations, including critical issues related to sewage backup and temperature abuse of food. Remarkably, a follow-up inspection the very next day showed zero violations, enabling the restaurant to reopen.
Across Central Florida, a total of 2,605 violations were recorded during inspections last week, with 1,135 violations occurring in Orange County alone. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for heightened food safety measures in the area.
WHAT’S NEXT: As these restaurants reopen, continued monitoring will be essential to ensure compliance with health standards, prompting consumers to stay informed about the safety of their dining options. This situation remains fluid, and further inspections could yield additional developments. Stay tuned for updates on these crucial health and safety issues impacting Central Florida.
