SONIC DRIVE-IN #6597

High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed in main kitchen area by grill. Employee used bare hand to remove 2 grilled cheese sandwiches from the grill and wrapped it in paper for a food order. Educated Person in charge on bare hand contact with ready to eat food. Person in charge discarded the 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. Corrective Action Taken Warning

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in Walk in cooler in back kitchen area raw bacon over fruit sauces and cooked beef chili. Educated Person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed Person in charge handout. Person in charge removed raw Bacon Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in main kitchen area by grill. Employee used bare hand to remove 2 grilled cheese sandwiches from the grill and wrapped it in paper for a food order. Educated Person in charge on bare hand contact with ready to eat food. Person in charge discarded the 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in Reach in cooler on sandwich make station in main kitchen area Butter (69F - Cold Holding). Person in charge stated he is having an issue with the cooler. Person in charge stated that the butter was placed in the cooler on 10/10/23. Person in charge voluntarily discarded the Butter. Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in Reach in cooler on sandwich make station Cheese (64F - Cold Holding); Cut Tomatoes (62F - Cold Holding). Person in charge stated it was in the Reach in cooler for appropriately 1 hour. Person in charge placed cheese and sliced Tomatoes in Walk in cooler Observed in Reach in cooler on sandwich make station in main kitchen area Butter (69F - Cold Holding). Person in charge stated he is having an issue with the cooler. Person in charge stated that the butter was placed in the cooler on 10/10/23. Person in charge voluntarily discarded the Butter. Corrective Action Taken 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. Educated Person in charge. Person in charge completed form. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin in back kitchen area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation in grill area. Warning

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris under equipment in main kitchen area. Warning

Basic - Open dumpster lid in South End of parking lot. Person in charge closed dumpster lid. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation 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. Observed no food handler training for any employees. Warning

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black substance interior of ice machine. Warning

Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed broken cove base at office door. Warning

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet stacked pans on shelf in dish area. Warning

Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed heavy grease build up on floor in back kitchen area. Warning

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed broken floor tiles in front of ice cream machine. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Inside/outside of dumpster not clean. Observed large amount of grease at entrance to dumpster area. Warning

Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Warning

Portable fire extinguisher gauge in red zone. For reporting purposes only. Observed back kitchen fire extinguisher showing in red.

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitizer bucket and bottle of cleaner on the center island prep table. Operator removed and stored properly. Corrected On-Site Warning

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed, to the left of the triple sink, a half pan of clean utensils stored on top of hand wash sink as well as a Rubbermaid cart stored in front of the sink blocking access. Warning

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed cut onion pieces in hand wash sink located near flat top grill. Warning

Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Warning

Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Warning

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink located near front counter. Warning

Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed non original copies of Safestaff certificates for food handler training. Operator was informed that the original certificate for each employee must be maintained. Warning

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice bin located at the drive thru window and also observed at the ice machine in the rear of the kitchen. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed approximately 5 ceiling tiles with water damage in the dining room. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink on the prep table across from the rear kitchen ice machine. Operator discarded beverage. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris under cook line and fryers. Warning

Basic - Floor tile missing located in front of shake machine next to floor drain. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a bag of onions on the floor of the walk in cooler. Observed a bag of in use soda syrup stored on the floor under the soda syrup rack. Operator properly stored items. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Employee used the bathroom and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment without washing hands upon returning to employee area. Instructed employee and manager on proper handwashing protocol. 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. Warning

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black substance in the interior of the rear kitchen ice machine. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed approximately 25 ceiling tiles in dining area water damaged. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the operator. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. Observed drain cover missing in rear of kitchen between the walk in coolers. Warning

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tile missing in front of ice cream machine near drain. Warning

Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in wall behind monitors in front of kitchen near front counter. Warning

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on containers in rear middle kitchen area across from the ice machine. Warning

Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed sanitizer bucket stored next to plastic bag of buns. Operator removed sanitizer bucket and properly stored. Corrected On-Site Warning