BELLA COSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE
5174 NW 26 ST, Ocala FL 34482 · 352-209-7081
Last inspected Feb 25, 2026 · 6 visits since September 2023
SEP 23
OCT 24
MAR 25
SEP 25
FEB 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 27 points off where it started.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed four rodent dropping by water heater, two dropping by dry goods storage area and two dropping by on tap cooler at bar.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Feb 25, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 9 findingsThe state's own report →
In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils stored in water on cook line grill, 105F. Manager turned heat up on grill to heat water to 165F.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Lobster stored over soup in walk-in cooler. Manager placed lobster on bottom shelf.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in rewash-in cooler across from cook line: butter (49F - Cold Holding). Manager stated butter placed in cooler three hours and thirty minutes prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed proper,oven butter to reach-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach-in coolers throughout the kitchen stained. Bin for ice machine in wait station soiled with mold-like substance.
Show the remaining 5 findings ▾
Wash solution in spray-type chemical warewasher less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Dish machine wash cycle, 96F.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf above reach-in cooler across from cook line. Manager removed drink during inspection.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee breakfast burrito stored in reach-in freezer in front of walk-in cooler. Manager removed burrito during inspection.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers stored on shelf across from three compartment sink.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Containers stored on shelf across from three compartment sink.
Sep 10, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 15 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority6 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw steak stored over cooked chicken wings in reach-in cooler across from cook line. Manage4 placed steak on bottom shelf. Shell eggs stored over marinara sauce in walk-in cooler. Manager placed eggs on bottom shelf.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in reach-in cooler across from cook line: mozzarella cheese (45F - Cold Holding). Manager stated cheese placed in cooler one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed cheese farther down in cooler to reduce temperature to 41F.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Anchovies stored in reach-in cooler at end of cook line. Manager stated anchovies opened on 9/8. Manager placed proper date marked on anchovies.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Establishment has no written procedure available. Inspector provided operator with written procedure. Manager printed and posted written procedure.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cook line reach-in coolers.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Pan stored in hand washing sink next to dish area. Employee removed pan during inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Lasagna stored in walk-in cooler. Manager stated lasagna prepared on 9/8. Manager placed proper date marked on lasagna.
Wash solution in spray-type chemical warewasher less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash solution in dish machine reached 109F.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents above kitchen wait line.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Containers stored on shelf across from cook line. Manager discarded containers during inspection.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored between reach-in cooler and prep table at end of cook line. Manager removed knife during inspection.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Aluminum to go pans and lids stored in room outside of walk-in cooler. Manager turned items over.
Stored food not covered. Marinara sauce stored in walk-in cooler. Manager had employee place lids on containers.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on prep table with slicer. Manager placed wiping cloth with old wiping cloths in storage area.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Containers stored on prep table across from walk-in cooler.
Mar 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of tums stored on soft drink syrup boxes. Manager removed tums
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. The following items and cooling temperatures in the Walk-in Cooler: Cooked Marinara sauce 52F; Cooked ground beef 52F -cooked two days earlier and placed in walk-in-cooler to cool.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw scallops stored overcooked pasta in reach in cooler. Frozen Chicken in zip lock bags stored over raw beef in reach in freezer. Raw shelled eggs stored over boxed créme. Manager inverted all the items
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. The following items and cold holding temperatures in the Walk-in Cooler: Cooked Marinara sauce 52F; Cooked ground beef 52F -cooked two days earlier and placed in Walk-in-cooler to cool.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Observed person in charge has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal incident if vomit or diarrhea is discharged on any surfaces in the establishment. Inspector provided vomitting and diarrhea procedure.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance on the inside food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda gun dispensing machine at bar.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice in kitchen handwash sink
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Four out of seventeen food handler certificates not completed with either missing trainer name and number or expiration date.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handle used to dispense food (sugar and flour). Manager removed bowls
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Cooking utensils with food contact surface up. Manager instructed dishwasher to rewash and stored inverted
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoophandle in sugar touching sugar. Manager raised handle off product.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooking utensils on cook line in standing water of 98F
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of food removed ( sugar ) from original container not labeled with name of contents. Manager had container labeled
Oct 21, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedLicensing Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 15, 2024Warning IssuedLicensing Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority5 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed four rodent dropping by water heater, two dropping by dry goods storage area and two dropping by on tap cooler at bar.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance on the inside food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda gun dispensing machine at bar.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test strips for three-compartment sink or dishmachine
No hot running water at three-compartment sink. No hot water at establishment due to lack of gas.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels or soap at hand wash sink
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not properly labeled with identifying contents ( bleach ). Manager labeled bottle
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured behind establishment.
Establishment using sponges on cleaned and sanitized, or in-use food-contact surface. Establishment using sponge on in-use food-contact surface at three-compartment sink. Manager discarded sponge.
Sep 27, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw meat stored over ready to ear ice cream.. Manager placed ice cream on top shelf.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed person in charge had No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured in kitchen and bar. Manager secured all tanks
Establishment using sponges on cleaned and sanitized, or in-use food-contact surface. Observed establishment using sponge on in-use food-contact surface at three-compartment sink.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handle. Manager removed tongs from oven handle.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.