News Summary
In May, Central Florida conducted 1,826 restaurant inspections, with only 236 passing without issues. Six restaurants closed due to severe health violations while others faced temperature control problems. Brevard County reported no closures but cited multiple violations. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation oversees these inspections, highlighting significant compliance challenges within the region’s restaurant industry.
Central Florida experienced a significant wave of restaurant inspections in May, with a total of 1,826 inspections conducted across the region. Alarmingly, only 236 restaurants passed their assessments without any noted issues, indicating a troubling trend in compliance with health regulations.
During the week of May 14, 2025, a total of six restaurants were forced to close their doors due to health violations. These establishments faced serious concerns such as the discovery of rodent droppings and infestations of cockroaches within their premises. Additional infractions included improper food storage, which raises significant health risks for customers.
The restaurants that were closed were located in several Central Florida cities, including Clearwater, Lakeland, Orlando, Tampa, and Winter Park. Each of these establishments underwent follow-up inspections after their temporary closures, all of which successfully passed and were subsequently allowed to reopen.
Brevard County Inspections
In contrast, Brevard County reported no emergency restaurant closures during the same week. However, inspections revealed that establishments in this area were primarily facing violations related to temperature control and issues with dish machines. Certain restaurants required follow-up inspections but were determined not to present an immediate threat to public health.
Specific Violations in Brevard County
Some of the notable violations included:
- 14 total violations, including 2 high-priority violations, at an establishment located at 2598 Palm Bay Road, Palm Bay.
- 6 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation, at 3095 Fell Road, West Melbourne.
- 5 total violations, including 2 high-priority violations, at 1181 Malabar Road, Palm Bay.
Inspection Process and Regulations
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is responsible for conducting these regular restaurant inspections, while the Department of Health investigates outbreaks of food-borne illnesses. In Florida, there is no requirement for restaurant owners to display their inspection results prominently for customers to see.
When violations are found during inspections, a warning is issued with a specified deadline for correction. Should a pattern of repeat violations or serious conditions emerge, an administrative complaint may be filed against the establishment. Additionally, an emergency closure order can be enacted to safeguard the public’s health, safety, or welfare.
If a restaurant is closed or has its license suspended, a 24-hour follow-up inspection is mandated to determine whether the issues have been resolved. The stringent measures aim to ensure that diners are protected and that food establishments maintain acceptable health standards.
Conclusion
The stark findings from the May inspections underscore the challenges faced by restaurants in Central Florida regarding compliance with health and safety regulations. With a mere 13% of inspected establishments passing without issues, ensuring public health safety remains a pressing concern for both regulatory authorities and restaurant operators within the region.
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Sentinel: Clean Bills of Health
- Click Orlando: 6 Central Florida Eateries Shut Down
- Florida Today: Brevard County Restaurant Inspections
- Orlando Sentinel: 6 Restaurants Shut Down Last Week
- Click Orlando: 3 Central Florida Restaurants Shut Down
- Wikipedia: Restaurant inspections
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Inspections Florida
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Health Inspections
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant Inspections
- Google News: Florida Restaurant Inspections
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
