HAVANA LIBRE CUBAN CUISINE

High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine not sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Operator set up triple sink. Warning

High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. No parasite destruction for mahi mahi and shrimp served in ceviche. Non-exempt may not be served raw or undercooked. Consumer Advisory must be in place. Warning

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw fish in reach in cooler on cook line. Operator moved to proper storage order. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Shredded cooked beef dated 9-22-2025 in reach in cooler. Operator discarded. Cooked Oxtail dated 9-28 in walk in cooler. Operator discarded. Warning

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Shredded cooked beef dated 9-22-2025 in reach in cooler. Operator discarded. Cooked Oxtail dated 9-28 in walk in cooler. Operator discarded. Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observered 6 pounds of raw mahi fish with a label bearing "Remove from package prior to thawing" that was fully thawed and still under reduced oxygen packaging. Repeat Violation Warning

Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Fish in ceviche not identified as raw or undercooked. Warning

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled on shelf near dessert station. Operator discarded. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observered 6 quarts of raw mahi fish with a label bearing "Remove from package prior to thawing" that was fully thawed and still under reduced oxygen packaging. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Boxes stored on freezer floor. Warning

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on door handle containing bread under coffee machine. Operator removed the tongs. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of Pepto Bismol was stored in a reach-in cooler at the server alley along with bottles of salad dressing. Operator discarded medication. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken was held in the cooling drawers on the cook line directly above peppers. Operator moved to proper storage hierarchy. Warning

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Shredded beef/ropa vieja was stored in the walk-in cooler and marked with a date of 10-28-24, which is 9 days from preparation. See stop sale. Warning

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Shredded beef/ropa vieja was stored in the walk-in cooler and marked with a date of 10-28-24, which is 9 days from preparation. Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Six packages of Wahoo were fully thawed on the cook line without being opened. Product is labeled to remove from packaging prior to thawing. Product was discarded. Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked onions were held on the cook line not under temperature control for less than 4 hours. Explained to Operator potentially hazardous foods must be held at proper temperature. Operator placed pan on the grill for hot holding. cooked onions (96F - Hot Holding) Corrective Action Taken Warning

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. A spray can of grill cleaner was stored on the cook line alongside clean plates. Operator removed. Chemicals in the dishwashing room were stored alongside clean pans and dishes. Chemicals were moved during the visit. Corrected On-Site Warning

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times: handwashing sink next to the ice machine was blocked by a mop bucket and brooms. Operator moved items away from the sink. Handwashing sink in the dish area was blocked by a cart. Operator moved cart. Corrected On-Site Warning

Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Operator stated books were ordered 2 weeks ago. Warning

Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Provided blank form to Operator and explained the requirement for all to sign a copy. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - Spray bottles containing blue toxic substance not labeled. Employees labeled bottles during the visit. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Six packages of Wahoo were fully thawed on the cook line without being opened. Product is labeled to remove from packaging prior to thawing. Product was discarded.. See stop sale. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Employee was cutting onions in the server area while eating bread from a basket and drinking from a cup, both stored next to the cutting board. Operator discarded. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoops in the bins containing rice, flour and beans were stored with the handles in the product. Operator repositioned scoops. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Long spoon, in use for stirring a pot of food that was cooking on the cook line, was stored on top of a trash can. Operator moved to a clean location. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees: Handwashing sinks at both the server alley and behind the front bar were missing signs. Warning