The Issue The issues are as follows: (a) whether Respondent violated Chapter 509, Florida Statutes, and specific provisions of the Food Code, 2001, Recommendations of the United States Public Health Service/Food and Drug Administration (Food Code), adopted by reference in Florida Administrative Code Rule 61C-1.001(14); and, if so, (b) what penalty should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner is the state agency charged with regulating the operation of public food service establishments pursuant to Chapter 509, Florida Statutes (2010). Respondent is, and has been at all times material hereto, licensed by or subject to Petitioner's jurisdiction. Respondent has been licensed at least since October 2007. Respondent's business address is 4860 Northwest 38th Avenue, Suite C, Gainesville, Florida. "Critical violations" are violations of the Food Code that pose a significant threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, and which are identified as food-borne illness risk factors that require public health intervention. "Non-critical violations" are any other type of violation prohibited by statute or rule. After inspections on December 19, 2007, August 4, 2008, and August 6, 2008, Petitioner issued an Administrative Complaint dated September 16, 2008, in Petitioner's Case No. 2008051321 against Respondent. The complaint alleged the following violations: (a) 03A-07-1, potentially hazardous food held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit; (b) 30-02-1, mop sink's vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb; (c) 36-13-1, grease accumulated under cooking equipment; (d) 37-05-1, observed walls soiled with accumulated food debris; (e) 52-01-1, misrepresentation of food or food product by advertising crab on sushi menu but using imitation crab; and (e) 53B-08-1, no proof of required employee training. On October 6, 2008, Respondent signed a Stipulation and Consent Order, agreeing to pay a fine in the amount of $1,550. in Petitioner's Case No. 2008051321. Petitioner issued a Final Order in that case on October 22, 2008. The record does not indicate whether Respondent ever paid the administrative fine. Daniel Fulton is Petitioner's Senior Inspector. Mr. Fulton performed inspections of Respondent's business on January 22, 2009, April 3, 2009, August 12, 2009, and August 17, 2009. These inspections resulted in the issuance of the Administrative Complaint at issue in DOAH Case No. 10-2427. Julianne Browning is Petitioner's Senior Sanitation and Safety Specialist. Ms. Browning performed inspections of Respondent's business on February 15, 2010 and April 19, 2010. These inspections resulted in the issuance of the Administrative Complaint at issue in DOAH Case No. 10-3294. On January 22, 2009, Mr. Fulton performed an unscheduled inspection of Respondent's restaurant. During the inspection, Mr. Fulton observed the following critical violations: (a) 03A-07-1, potentially hazardous cold food held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, including but not limited to, noodles on cook line at 51 degrees Fahrenheit; (b) 31-09-1, hand sink in preparation area not accessible for employee use at all times; (c) 35A-03-1 and 35A-05-1, dead and live roaches on premises in several locations; (d) 06-04-1, thawing potentially hazardous foods improperly because water was not running; (e) 22-20-1, food contact surfaces not sanitized because interior of ice maker not kept clean; and (f) 30-02-1, plumbing not properly installed and/or maintained because vacuum breaker missing on hose bibb at front hand sink. During the January 22, 2009, inspection, Mr. Fulton observed the following non-critical violations: (a) 14-37-1, cutting board grooved/pitted and no longer cleanable; (b) 10-07- 1, in-use utensils, such as a spoon, stored in standing water at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit; and (c) 24-05-1, clean utensils were not properly stored because spoons in the customer area were facing food side up and there were unprotected plates in the sushi area. After the January 22, 2009, inspection, and a callback inspection on April 3, 2009, Petitioner issued an Administrative Complaint dated May 19, 2009, in Petitioner's Case No. 2009026581 against Respondent. The complaint alleged the following critical violations: (a) 03A-07-1, potentially hazardous cold food held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit; (b) 12A-12-1, employee working with raw food then with ready-to- eat food without washing hands or changing both gloves; (c) 12A- 13-1, employee handled soiled equipment or utensils then prepared food, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands or changing gloves; (d) 21-12-1, wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses; and (e) 32-15-1, no hand-washing sign at hand sink used by food employees. On August 1, 2009, Respondent signed a Stipulation and Consent Order, agreeing to pay a fine in the amount of $1,750. in Petitioner's Case No. 2009026581. Petitioner issued a Final Order in that case on July 1, 2009. The record does not indicate whether Respondent ever paid the administrative fine. On August 12, 2009, Petitioner's staff made a routine inspection of Respondent's restaurant. During the inspection, Petitioner's staff observed the following critical violations: (a) 03A-07-1, cold food not at proper temperature during storage, display, or service, including but not limited to tofu on the cook line at 75 degrees Fahrenheit; (b) 31-09-1, hand- washing sink not accessible for employee use at all times; (c) 35A-03-1, dead roaches on premises; (d) 06-04-1, potentially hazardous foods improperly thawed at room temperature, including beef, pork, fish, and hamburger; (e) 22-20-1, food contact surfaces not clean and sanitized due to buildup of slime in the interior of the icemaker; and (f) 30-02-1, vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb. During the August 12, 2009, inspection, Mr. Fulton observed the following non-critical violations: (a) 14-37-1, cutting board grooved/pitted and no longer cleanable; (b) 10-07- 1, in-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit; and (c) 24-05-1, clean glasses, cups, utensils, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. On August 17, 2009, Mr. Fulton performed a callback inspection of Respondent's restaurant. During the inspection, Mr. Fulton observed the following critical violations: (a) 31- 09-1, hand-washing sink not accessible for employee use at all times; (b) 35A-03-1 and 35A-05-1, live and dead roaches on the premises; (c) 06-04-1, potentially hazardous food thawed at room temperature; (d) 22-20-1, food contact surfaces not clean and sanitized due to buildup of slime in the interior of the icemaker; and (e) 30-02-1, vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb. During the August 17, 2009, inspection, Mr. Fulton observed the following non-critical violations: (a) 14-37-1, cutting board grooved/pitted and no longer cleanable; (b) 10-07- 1, in-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit; and (c) 24-05-1, clean glasses, cups, utensils, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. On February 15, 2010, Ms. Browning performed a routine inspection of Respondent's restaurant. During the inspection, Ms. Browning observed the following critical violations: (a) 03A-07-1, cold food held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit during storage, display, or service, including seafood broth, rice, chicken curry in reach-in cooler, chicken in top of reach-in cooler, fish eggs on counter, cream cheese in sushi case, and fish tempura in sushi area; (b) 08A-26-1, food not properly protected during storage based on observation of raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat foods, such as raw eggs over soup and raw beef over cooked shrimp; (c) 12A-13-1, employee handled soiled equipment or utensils then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands or changing gloves; (d) 01B-24-1, ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food, such as eggroll mix with pork, not consumed/sold within seven days after opening/preparation; (e) 12B-03-1, employee drinking from an open beverage container in a food preparation or other restricted area while rolling silverware; (f) 08B-04-1, using paper as a food contact surface by storing bread crumbs on greasy brown paper; (g) 22-20-1, build-up of slime in the interior of the ice machine; (h) 30-02-1, vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb; (i) 05-09-1, no conspicuous thermometer in holding units such as sushi case and two reach-in freezers; (j) 09-05-1, improper use of bowl/plastic container or other container with no handle to dispense food such as rice that is not ready-to-eat; (k) 27-16-1, hot water not provided at mop sink because shut off; and (l) 52-01-1, misrepresentation of identity of food or food product because advertising crab delight in sushi bowl and salad platter but using imitation crab instead. During the February 15, 2010, inspection, Ms. Browning observed the following non-critical violations: (a) 21-11-1, wiping-cloth sanitizing solution not at proper strength and not provided at sushi bar; (b) 14-32-1, using wood that is not hard and close-grained, such as bamboo sushi mats, as a food contact surface; (c) 18-04-1, old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning; (d) 26-02-1, improper re-use of single-service articles such as reusing plastic wrap to cover sushi mats; and (e) 23-05-1, residue build-up on towel dispenser at cook-line hand sink. On April 10, 2010, Ms. Browning performed a callback inspection at Respondent's restaurant. During the inspection, Petitioner's staff observed the following critical violations: (a) 03A-07-1, potentially hazardous food held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, including seafood broth, rice, chicken curry in reach-in cooler, chicken in top of reach-in cooler, fish eggs on counter, fish tempura in sushi area, and conch, salmon, tuna, and cream cheese all in sushi case; (b) 08A-26-1, raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food, such as eggs over soup; (c) 12A-13-1, employee handling soiled equipment or utensils then preparing food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items, without washing hands or changing gloves; (d) 01-B-24-1, potentially hazardous food not consumed/sold within seven days after opening/preparation; (e) 12B-03-1, employee drinking from an open beverage container in a food preparation or other restricted area while rolling silverware; (f) 08B-04-1, paper used as a food-contact surface, such as bread crumbs stored on greasy brown paper; (g) 22-20-1, buildup of slime in the interior of the ice machine; (h) 30-02-1 vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb in mop sink; (i) 05-09-1, no conspicuous thermometer in holding units, such as two reach-in freezers; (j) 09-05-1, improper use of bowl/plastic food container or other container with no handle used to dispense food that is not ready-to-eat, such as rice; (k) 27-16-1, no hot water at mop sink because shut off; and (l) 52-01-1, misrepresentation of food identity, such as advertising crab delight in sushi bowl and salad platter but using imitation crab. During the inspection on April 10, 2010, Ms. Browning observed the following non-critical violations: (a) 21-11-1, wiping-cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength and none at the sushi bar; (b) 14-32-1, improperly using wood that is not hard or close-grained as a food-contact surface, such as bamboo sushi mats; (c) 18-04-1, old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning; (d) 26-02-1, re-use of single-service articles, such as using plastic wrap over and over on sushi mats; and (e) 23-05-1, residue build-up on nonfood-contact surfaces, as found on towel dispenser at hand sink on cook line. During the above-referenced inspections, Petitioner's staff repeatedly observed the same critical and non-critical violations of the Food Code at Respondent's restaurant. Even if Respondent was able to correct some of the violations while Petitioner's staff was on the premises, Respondent made no effort to ensure that the violations did not re-occur before the next inspection.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, enter a final order suspending Respondent's license for six consecutive days as a penalty in DOAH Case No. 10-2427 and for ten consecutive days as a penalty in DOAH Case No. 10-3294. DONE AND ENTERED this 14th day of October, 2010, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S SUZANNE F. HOOD Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 14th day of October, 2010. COPIES FURNISHED: Charles F. Tunnicliff, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 42 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Hung Nguyen Taste of Saigon II 4860 Northwest 39th Avenue, Suite C Gainesville, Florida 32606 William L. Veach, Director Division of Hotels and Restaurants Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Reginald Dixon, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399
The Issue The issue in this proceeding is whether Respondent’s restaurant license should be disciplined.
Findings Of Fact At all times material hereto, Respondent was licensed as a public food establishment in the State of Florida by the Department. The restaurant is located at 414B Highway 98, Mexico Beach, Florida. Janie Smith is employed by the Department as a Senior Sanitation Safety Specialist. Inspector Smith has worked for the Department for approximately four years. Prior to working for the Department, Inspector Smith served as a restaurant manager at Kentucky Fried Chicken for 15 years. Inspector Smith is a Certified Food Manager and continues to receive continuing- education training on a monthly basis. She performs approximately one thousand inspections a year. On May 18, 2009, Inspector Smith performed a routine food service inspection of Respondent's restaurant. During the inspection, Inspector Smith prepared and signed an inspection report setting forth the violations she encountered during the inspection. These reports are electronically prepared on a Personal Data Assistant by the inspector. During the May inspection, the inspector observed one of the restaurant's employees drinking from an open beverage container next to a food preparation table and clean equipment and utensils. In general, drinking from an open beverage container is prohibited in areas where food is prepared to prevent touching the food or food preparation surfaces with an item that has been contaminated by bare hands, thereby transferring germs and bacteria from the hands to the food. Such contamination can cause illness and is a threat to public health. For that reason, the use of an open beverage container in a food preparation area is a critical violation of the Florida Food Code. The evidence demonstrated that Respondent is guilty of permitting the use of an open beverage container in an area where food is prepared during the May inspection Additionally, during the May inspection, the inspector observed that the interior of Respondent's ice machine had a buildup of slime. Food contact surfaces, such as the ice machine, must be cleaned at least every 24 hours in order to prevent contaminants from being transferred to food or beverages. Such contamination can cause illness and is a threat to public health. For that reason, not properly cleaning food contact surfaces is a critical violation of the Florida Food Code. However, there was no evidence that demonstrated whether the slime on the interior of the ice machine had accumulated over a period greater than 24 hours or that the ice machine had not been cleaned at least every 24 hours. Given this lack of evidence, it cannot be determined that Respondent violated the Food Code in relation to the ice machine. Finally, the inspector also observed that the soda-gun holster, a non-food contact surface, had accumulated slime. The Food Code requires non-food contact surfaces, such as the soda- gun holster, to be kept free of debris like slime. However, there is no time interval associated with the accumulation of debris on non-food contact surfaces. Therefore, the evidence demonstrated that Respondent violated the Food Code in relation to the soda-gun holster, but such violation was not considered critical by the Department. On August 21, 2009, Inspector Ross performed another inspection of Respondent's restaurant. During the inspection, she observed that the interior of the microwave, a food contact surface, had a buildup of debris or was soiled. However, again there was no evidence that the buildup or soiling was more than what could accumulate in a 24-hour period. Additionally, there was no evidence that the microwave had not been cleaned at least every 24 hours. As with the ice machine, without such evidence it cannot be concluded that Respondent violated the Food Code. During the August inspection, Inspector Ross also observed a box of paper napkins or cups stored on the floor. Such items are single-service or use items and are required to be stored above the floor. The purpose of such a requirement is to prevent these items from becoming contaminated with germs and later transferring such contamination to a person. Such contamination can cause illness and is a threat to public health. For that reason, not properly storing single-service or use items is a critical violation of the Florida Food Code. On March 1, 2010, Inspector Ross performed a routine food service inspection of Respondent's restaurant. As with the other inspections, she prepared and signed an inspection report setting forth alleged violations she encountered during the inspection. During the inspection, the inspector again observed slime on the interior surface of the ice machine. However, there was again no evidence to determine the amount of time the ice machine's slime had been present or whether the ice machine had not been cleaned at least every 24 hours. Given these facts, no violation of the Food Code was demonstrated by the evidence in relation to the ice machine and the portions of the Administrative Complaint related thereto should be dismissed. Additionally, the inspector again observed a buildup of debris or soiling on the interior surface of the microwave. As with the ice machine, there was no evidence to determine the amount of time the microwave's buildup had been present or whether the microwave had not been cleaned at least every 24 hours. Given these facts, no violation of the Food Code was demonstrated by the evidence in relation to the microwave and the portions of the Administrative Complaint related thereto should be dismissed. During the March inspection, the inspector also again observed slime on the soda-gun holster. As with the May inspection, the evidence demonstrated a non-critical violation of the Food Code. Likewise, the inspector observed a box of napkins or cups stored on the floor. Such storage constitutes a critical violation of the Food Code. Finally, during the March inspection, the inspector again observed a restaurant employee drinking from an open beverage container in the food preparation area and next to clean utensils. As in May, such activity constitutes a critical violation of the Food Code.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that a Recommended Order be entered: Dismissing the portions of the Administrative Complaint related to rule 4-602.12 of the Food Code, and Finding Respondent, Ruby Rumrunners Grill, guilty of violating rules 2-401.11, 4-601.11 and 4-903.11 of the Food Code and imposing an administrative penalty in the amount of $650.00. DONE AND ENTERED this 1st day of August, 2011, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S DIANE CLEAVINGER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 1st day of August, 2011. COPIES FURNISHED: Charles F. Tunnicliff, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 42 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Kathy Whittemore Ruby Rumrunners Grill 414-B Highway 98 Mexico Beach, Florida 32456 William L. Veach, Director Division of Hotels and Restaurants Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Layne Smith, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399
