SAFFRON SPICE
1702 W UNIVERSITY AVE, Gainesville FL 32603 · 352.745.7200
Last inspected Jul 16, 2026 · 8 visits since December 2023
FEB 24
JAN 25
AUG 25
MAR 26
JUL 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 25 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
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: lack of a plan. One was emailed.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 16, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 findingsThe state's own report →
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk opened yesterday in front reach-in cooler, opened greater than 24 hours prior with no date mark. Employee marked with date.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach-in cooler cutting board soiled with mold-like substances. Microwave interior soiled with old food debris and grease accumulation.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. No handle bowls in rice and seasoning. Employee removed each.
Equipment in poor repair. Ice buildup in the reach-in freezers.
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
Food stored on floor. Container of oil on floor next to grill.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in cooler gaskets soiled with mold-like substances.
Mar 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed : a can of spray air freshener stored on top of a box of to go items. The spray was moved with cleaning items.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed : the microwave ceiling had residue. ALSO, : the can opener with dried food debris. This was taken to the 3 compartment sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed : on the cook line, Lamb cooked yesterday, no date mark. ALSO, in the walk-in cooler, Lentils cooked on Sunday, no date mark.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed : a jacket stored on a box of to go containers. The jacket was moved to a car.
Food stored on floor. Observed : on the front line bulk oil stored on the floor.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed : the light switch in the bathroom has an accumulation of soil on it.
Oct 21, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 8, 2025Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
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 proof of any training. The list of approved providers has been emailed.
Aug 5, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed : raw eggs on the top shelf in the walk-in cooler, over buns. The eggs were moved below.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Ghee on the cook line at 78°. This was brought out at 1:00. This will be switched to time as a public health control at this time, it is good until 5:00 pm and then must be discarded. Time as a public health control form has been emailed.
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 proof of any training. The list of approved providers has been emailed.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed the cutting lack of soap at the kitchen hand wash sink. ALSO, lack of paper towels at the kitchen hand wash sink.
Food stored on floor. Observed the cutting bulk oil stored on the floor next to the oven. This was placed 6" off the floor.
Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed : the wood under the large mixer is not sealed wood.
Jan 21, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed the front line hand wash sink lacked a sign. One was handwritten and posted.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed: the light switch in the restroom was soiled. Staff was asked to clean it.
Single-service articles stored in toilet room/locker room/garbage room/mechanical room. Observed: In the restroom, boxes of food service gloves and to go lids on the shelves. These were removed.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed: a drip from the cooling system in the walk-in cooler, that leaves a puddle on the floor.
Feb 23, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the green cutting board with black foreign substance on it.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed: the kitchen hand wash sink is blocked by a prep table with a mechanical meat slicer on it.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the kitchen hand wash sink has plastic bowls in it.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee unsealed drink bottle on the kitchen prep table.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed: prep tables with an accumulation of dried food debris, in the kitchen.
Dec 5, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority5 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed: 2 cans of Hot Shot stored in dry storage. It was made clear to not use this inside.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed: the 1\2 and 1\2 lacks an open date. A date was added.
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: lack of a plan. One was emailed.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed: Thanh has an expired Certified Food Manager certificate.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: clear food pans on the clean dish rack are soiled. ALSO, the soda machine ice chute is soiled. ALSO, the soda nozzles have build up.(these are currently not in use.)
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. Observed: lack of a reporting form for staff missing Certified Food Manager of Employee Training, Thanh expired Certified Food Manager.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed: lack of a choking poster. One was emailed.
No copy of latest inspection report available. Observed the last inspection was not available for review.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed lack of a visible hand wash sign at the front line hand wash sink.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed: light switches throughout are soiled.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed: clean food pans with old labels.
Stored food not covered. Observed: in the large chest freezer, stored frozen food not covered.
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.