The Issue Whether Petitioner committed the violations set forth in the Administrative Complaint and, if so, what penalty should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants (Division), is a state agency charged with the duty and responsibility of regulating the operation of hotel and restaurant establishments pursuant to Section 20.165 and Chapter 509, Florida Statutes. Respondent is an eating establishment located in Bell, Florida. At all times material to the allegations of the Administrative Complaint, Respondent held license number 3100051 issued by the Division. Julianne Browning is an inspector employed by the Division. Ms. Browning has a bachelor's degree from Florida State University in hotel and restaurant administration. She has been employed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation since 1990. Prior to that time, she worked for approximately 10 years in the field of public lodging and food service. She also has received training in laws and rules regarding public food service and lodging, as well as fire safety. On October 23, 2002, Ms. Browning conducted an inspection of Respondent's premises. Rita Martin was not on the premises at the time of the October 23, 2002 inspection. Christina Martin, Rita Martin's sister-in-law who also works at Respondent's establishment, signed for the inspection report. Ms. Browning subsequently discussed the investigation findings and report with Rita Martin. During the October 23, 2002 inspection, Ms. Browning observed flies in the kitchen. Having flies in the kitchen is a critical violation because flies carry germs and bacteria, posing a direct threat to the public's health. Ms. Browning also found that there was no proof that employees who had worked at Respondent's establishment for 60 days or more had received food training. This is a critical violation because employees need to be trained in the correct way to handle food and the required temperatures for food. Ms. Browning also observed tuna salad in the refrigerator at 45 degrees, which is considered an unsafe temperature. The inspection took place at 2:30 p.m. but Ms. Browning determined that the tuna salad was prepared at 9:00 a.m. Food kept out of temperature for more than four hours are potentially hazardous because the food begins to grow bacteria if left out of refrigeration for too long. Ms. Browning also observed coleslaw, tuna salad, and crab salad that were not date-marked. These types of prepared foods can only be held for seven days or they become potentially hazardous food. These foods need to be date- marked so one knows when they were made to then determine when the foods should be thrown away. Ms. Browning observed that the hood filters had a severe grease buildup. A severe grease buildup in the hood filter is an indication that the flue has a grease buildup, which is a fire hazard. Ms. Browning observed a black substance on the interior of the ice machine. She was uncertain as to what the black substance was but believed it to be mildew. Mildew is hazardous near food because it has spores which could fall into the ice. Ms. Browning observed recyclables not stored in a waste handling unit that is inaccessible to insects or rodents. She observed boxes kept either on the ground or in an open trailer. This is a hazard because all garbage, whether recyclables or other garbage, has to be in a container that protects against the entrance of rodents or flies, which could potentially come into the restaurant. Ms. Browning observed a light shield missing from the light in the dry storage area. This is potentially hazardous because if the light bulb broke, the glass could shatter with the potential of getting onto the food in the storage area. Ms. Browning observed that the fire suppression report for the hood over the cooking equipment was not available for review. Such reports are made when the fire extinguishing company comes to service the fire suppression system. The report is the only way a Division inspector can tell if there are any deficiencies that need to be corrected with the fire suppression system. Ms. Browning observed bulk rice with a handle-free bowl for dispensing. This is hazardous because it allows for bare hand contact with the food. Rita Martin offered mitigating circumstances regarding some of the deficiencies noted by Ms. Browning. Regarding the allegation of flies in the kitchen, the Martins built a screened-in porch to keep flies from coming into the restaurant. Further, they put fly machines at the front and back doors and a blower at the back door. According to Ms. Martin, it is rare for flies to get into the restaurant. When flies get into the restaurant, "we get rid of them" and that she "cannot remember the last time I saw a live fly in my restaurant, period." Regarding the allegation of lack of proof of employee training, only one employee had worked there more than 60 days at the time of the inspection. Ms. Martin did not post that employee's card because the employee did not want her social security number posted. Eventually, Ms. Martin "whitened out" the social security number to post it. In any event, the employee's card was not available at the time of the inspection as required. Regarding the allegation that prepared foods were out of temperature and not properly date-marked, she responded: We try to put our salads or whatever we're making in large containers so that they will cool quickly. The foods that were made that day were made--one of the foods were made at 9:00 a.m., which was the coleslaw and crab. The tuna was made at 2:00. That was one of the ones that was--I think it was the tuna that was out of temperature. It had not been made--think it was less than an hour old. Her assertion in this regard is accepted as credible. Regarding the allegation that the hood filters had a grease buildup, Ms. Martin acknowledged that the hoods needed cleaning and were cleaned approximately one month after the inspection. Ms. Martin denied the existence of any black buildup on he interior of the ice machine. She looked in the ice machine shortly after the inspection and did not see any black buildup. According to Ms. Martin, there is a lime build-up because of lime in their water, and it is brownish in color. Her assertion in this regard is accepted as credible. Regarding the allegation of recyclables not stored in a closed unit that is inaccessible to rodents or insects, Ms. Martin explained that only clean boxes are put in a trailer, garbage is put elsewhere. Ms. Martin denied the allegation that a light shield was missing from the light in the dry storage area. The light shield had just been replaced prior to the inspection and is transparent and difficult to see. The storage area is narrow and it is difficult to see in there. Her assertions in this regard are accepted as credible. Regarding the allegation that there was no fire suppression report, Ms. Martin asserted that Ms. Browning had not made it clear in the past as to what was required to be posted and available. Whether Ms. Browning verbally reminded Ms. Martin about this requirement or not, the report was not available as required. Regarding the allegation that a bowl was used to dispense bulk rice, Ms. Martin explained that the rice was in dry, not ready-to-eat, form and that everyone knows to use a scoop. However, she acknowledged that she was not there for the inspection and could not say for certain that there was not a bowl in the rice.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law set forth herein, it is RECOMMENDED: That the Division enter a final order which confirms the violations found, dismisses the violations not found, imposes an administrative penalty in the amount of $1,000, and requires Respondent to attend a Hospitality Education Program. DONE AND ENTERED this 27th day of June, 2003, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. BARBARA J. STAROS Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 27th day of June, 2003. COPIES FURNISHED: Charles F. Tunnicliff, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32388-1015 Rita S. Martin Post Office Box 145 Bell, Florida 32619 Geoff Luebkemann, Director Division of Hotels and Restaurants Department of Business and Professional Regulations 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Hardy L. Roberts, III, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulations 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202
The Issue Whether Respondent failed to complete employee food handler training, as required by statute, as alleged in the Administrative Complaint, dated July 27, 2007, and, if so, what disciplinary action should be taken against Respondent's license.
Findings Of Fact Based on the evidence and the testimony of witnesses presented, the following findings of fact are made: At all times material hereto, Respondent, Kiamy Doan, d/b/a Mighty Wings & Subs, was licensed and regulated by Petitioner, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, having been issued license number 5908403. Respondent's business address is 402 West Vine Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741. Chin Chong is the co-owner of the business, along with Kiamy Doan, his wife. On March 13, 2007, Lydia Gonzalez ("Gonzalez"), Senior Sanitation and Safety Specialist for Petitioner, inspected the premises of Mighty Wings & Subs. During the inspection, Gonzalez prepared a Lodging Inspection Report, setting forth her findings from the inspection. The Report itemized numerous violations of the Food Code and food handler training requirements. These violations were required to be corrected by June 13, 2007. On June 19, 2007, Gonzalez re-inspected Mighty Wings & Subs. During the inspection, Gonzalez prepared a Callback Inspection Report setting forth her findings following the inspection. All non-critical violations had been corrected, except for the food handler training. Gonzalez observed that the employee food handler training certificate had expired. This is a critical violation, because if food handlers are not properly trained, they could contaminate the food and cause a foodborne illness. Critical violations are violations that affect the public health and safety and that could cause foodborne illnesses. Non-critical violations are violations that do not affect the public health and safety directly. During the hearing, Chin Chong produced a document indicating that Kiamy Doan had completed the required training. The food handler certificate was received by Respondent several days after the call-back inspection had been complete. However, Respondent also acknowledged that he applied for the certificate only ten days before Gonzalez was scheduled to re-inspect Mighty Wings & Subs. Respondent neglected to apply for the certificate for two months after the initial inspection for business reasons.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation enter a final order as follows: Respondent be found guilty of violating Section 509.049, Florida Statutes; Respondent be assessed an administrative penalty in the amount of $500.00 dollars; and Respondent's representative, Chin Chong, be directed to attend an appropriate education program sponsored by the Hospitality Education Program, as directed by the Secretary. DONE AND ENTERED this 12th day of February, 2008, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S DANIEL M. KILBRIDE Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 12th day of February, 2008.
The Issue Whether Respondent operated a public food-service establishment without a valid license and, if so, the appropriate sanctions.
Findings Of Fact At all times material hereto, Respondent operated a mobile food-dispensing vehicle in Jacksonville, Florida. Respondent held License No. 2651331. A mobile food-dispensing vehicle is a “public food service establishment” as that term is defined in section 509.013, Florida Statutes. On January 9, 2012, Michael Byrd conducted an inspection of Respondent?s mobile food-dispensing vehicle at its commissary location at 2356 West Beaver Street, Jacksonville, Florida. During the inspection, Mr. Byrd noted that Respondent?s license, which was displayed as required, had expired on June 1, 2011. Mr. Byrd entered the violation of the Petitioner?s licensing requirement on an Inspection Report, which report was thereupon signed by Oswald Higgs on behalf of Respondent. The report established March 10, 2012, as the date for a callback inspection, by which time the violation was to be corrected. On April 20, 2012, Mr. Byrd performed the call back inspection. Respondent failed to produce a current license for the mobile food-dispensing vehicle. Petitioner proved, by clear and convincing evidence, that Respondent was operating a public food-service establishment on an expired license as alleged in the Administrative Complaint.
Recommendation Based upon the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that Petitioner, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, enter a final order: Finding that Respondent, Ozamori Mobile Kitchen, violated section 509.241(1), Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code Rule 61C-1.002(6); and Imposing an administrative penalty against Respondent, Ozamori Mobile Kitchen, in the amount of $500, payable to Petitioner within 30 calendar days of the effective date of the final order entered in this case. DONE AND ENTERED this 3rd day of January, 2013, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S E. GARY EARLY 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 3rd day of January, 2013. COPIES FURNISHED: Charles F. Tunnicliff, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation Suite 42 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Oswald Higgs Ozamori Mobile Kitchen 2560 Automobile Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32209 Amy Toman, Hearing Officer Office of the General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 J. Layne Smith, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399
