Four Lakeland food vendors fall short of standards in latest inspections

Feb. 26 to March 3: Four Lakeland food vendors fall short of standards in the latest inspections. See why here:

• Lakeland Country Club, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland: On March 8, the restaurant had three basic and two intermediate violations. Among the intermediates, the person in charge lacked proof of certification, and the restaurant didn’t provide proof of required food safety training for employees. Among the basic violations, one was for a pink buildup on a panel inside the ice machine, one was for an employee prepping food without a hair restraint, and the last was for a knife sharpener improperly stored between a prep table and a well for the steam table. In a callback later that day, only two basic violations remained – the pink buildup in the ice machine and the employee operating without a hair net. The restaurant met standards.
• Hooters of South Lakeland, 3437 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland: On March 5, the restaurant had a callback from a previous inspection on Feb. 1, in which it had one high-priority violation. In the Feb. 1 inspection, the inspector noted the dishmachine’s chlorine sanitizer was not at the proper strength. The restaurant was ordered to set up a manual dishwashing station until the dishmachine was fixed. In the callback on March 5, the dishmachine was not fixed. The restaurant continued using a manual washing station.
• Hyatt Place Lakeland Center, 525 W. Orange St., Lakeland: On March 5, the restaurant had three violations, including one high priority and two basic. The high priority violation was for the manager lacking proof of certification. Among the basics, one was for lights in the food-prep area lacking the proper coverings. The other was for food buildup in the bottom of two reach-in coolers.
• Super Duper Spot, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland: On March 5, the restaurant had one high-priority and five intermediate violations. The high-priority violation was for operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Among the intermediates, one was for the person in charge lacking proof of food-manager certification. One was for lacking a chemical test kit for using sanitizer while cleaning dishes. Another was for lacking paper towels or a hand-drying device at the handwash sink. Another was for failing to provide proof of required food-safety training for employees. And the last was for failing to provide proof that employees are informed of their responsibility to report information about their health and foodborne illnesses.
• Milkster Nitrogen Creamery 501, 5178 County Line Road, Lakeland: On March 5, the restaurant had two violations. One was a high-priority violation for storing eggs over cheesecakes in an upright fridge. The other, an intermediate violation, was for lacking proof of required food-safety training for employees.

Remember that in some cases, violations are noted are technical issues not directly linked to hygiene or cleanliness. Remember, too, that broken refrigerators, chipped tiles or fast work may add up to unintended mistakes.