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Franchised Restaurants Highest In Food Safety, With One Exception

LABELLE, FL. -- The state of Florida's Division of Hotels and Restaurants is required to do periodic inspections of restaurants, hotels and motels each year, and publishes the results of each inspection online. The Sunday Morning News is looking at the most recent health inspections of Hendry county restaurants, and this week looks at LaBelle's franchised 'fast food' eateries.

Compared to traditional restaurants in LaBelle, all the fast foot outlets have dramatically better state food safety inspection reports. While other restaurants reviewed so far have shown a dozen violations of food safety regulations, including many health critical violations for each, the franchise fast food restaurants come up with only a few violations during the most recent state inspections, with one exception. Hungry Howie's Pizza remains after many years with its historic poor record of many more than average food violations after each state inspection.

McDonald's, operated by Nisbet Enteprises, Inc. of LaBelle came in with only three food violations during a May 27 inspection, although all were termed critical, one was corrected while the inspector was there.

Violation Observation
03C-07-1 Critical. Cooked ground beef reaching 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds. 125-131 F range, meat had raw areas. Corrected On Site. changed time setting for grill. now 177 F
22-20-1 Critical. Observed buildup of slime in the interior of ice machine.
32-15-1 Critical. No hand washing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. McCafe hand wash sink

Burger King's LaBelle restaurant operated by Royals in Belle Glade, was inspected last on June 4 and had three critical violations, one corrected:

Violation Observation
02-07-1 Critical. Observed processed ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. rte bacon walk-in
12A-24-1 Critical. Observed bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food while the establishment is under boil wate notice Corrected On Site.
27-02-1 Critical. Establishment using tap water while under a Boil water notice

Taco Belle, Pizza Hut, KFC in LaBelle has one of the best food safety inspection records so far, only two violations, one critical. An inspection on May 27 found:

Violation Observation
12A-19-1 Critical. Observed employee wash hands with no hot water.
33-16-1 Observed open dumpster lid.

Popeye's Fried Chicken in LaBelle was inspected May 21 and was found with five violations, three critical:

Violation Observation
10-04-1 In-use utensil for non-potentially hazardous food not stored in a clean, protected location. ice scoop on top of ice machine
22-17-1 Critical. Observed soiled reach-in cooler gaskets. biscuit cooler left of fryer Repeat Violation.
22-19-1 Critical. Observed interior of microwave soiled. food debris
34-10-1 Observed garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
45-38-2 Critical. Portable fire extinguisher not fully charged. For reporting purposes only. BC extinguisher left of chicken fryers

Wendy's in LaBelle, owned by a Punta Gorda company, has the best local record of food safety so far, only one non-critical food violation found on its May 21 inspection:

Violation Observation
21-16-1 Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Corrected On Site. changed sanitizer in containers

Subway came in with five violations, three critical on its June 8 inspection:

Violation Observation
12B-07-1 Critical. Observed an open beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Corrected On Site.
22-27-1 Critical. Observed food-contact surfaces encrusted with grease and/or soil deposits. clean storage containers have sticker residue.
24-08-1 Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried. "wet nesting" clean storage containers
46-05-2 Critical. Observed obstructed exits, stairs, hallways or egress. For reporting purposes only. cardboard boxes Blocking rear door Corrected On Site.
51-11-1 Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.

Hungry Howie's Pizza, operated by Southwest Florida Pizza, Inc. based in Ellenton, Florida has been reviewed previously by the Sunday Morning News and had one of the worst food safety inspection records of all local food establishments. The last time reviewed, the store manager said building remodeling was being made at the time and blamed that for the results. The LaBelle store remains one of LaBelle's problem restaurants after a May 26 inspection showing 15 violations, including 11 critical:

Violation Observation
01B-09-1 Critical. Observed potentially hazardous food held using time as a public health control with no time marking. Food may not be served. Corrected On Site.
02-07-1 Critical. Observed processed ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. walk-in cooler
02-24-1 Critical. Potentially hazardous food held under time as a public health control without time marking indicating 4-hour limit. Corrected On Site.
03B-03-1 Critical. Potentially hazardous food not held at 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above. pizza buffet 107 Corrected On Site.
05-06-1 Critical. Food thermometer not accurate within +/- 2 degrees Fahrenheit. walk-in cooler
05-09-1 Critical. No conspicuously located thermometer in holding unit.
08A-11-1 Critical. Observed drink stored in ice used for drinks. Bottle of parrot bay liquor Corrected On Site.
10-08-1 Observed ice scoop with handle in contact with ice. Corrected On Site.
12B-02-1 Critical. Observed employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. prep table Corrected On Site.
12B-07-1 Critical. Observed an open beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Corrected On Site.
13-03-1 Observed employee with no hair restraint.
21-12-1 Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Corrected On Site.
22-22-1 Critical. Observed encrusted material on can opener.
24-05-1 Clean glasses, cups, utensils, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. buffet plate not srored inverted or protected
53A-09-1 Critical. No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation. Corrected On Site.