Eat SafelyIn Florida
Glossary

What the violations actually mean

Inspection reports are written in citation codes. This is every kind of violation on record — 2,139,843 findings in total — with the wording inspectors actually use, how often each one comes up, and real examples.

Florida sorts every violation into one of three tiers, and the tier is the state's judgement, not ours. High priority means the finding could directly cause illness — temperature abuse, live vermin, bare hands on ready-to-eat food. Intermediate means it makes a high-priority failure more likely, like a broken thermometer or an uncertified manager. Basic is housekeeping and maintenance: real, but not how anyone gets ill.

CodeWhat it saysCitationsRecorded
14Food contact surfaces designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located13,092 high priority59182,834
36Floors properly constructed, clean, drained, coved42169,583
22Food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils clean26,798 high priority45164,019
08BFood protection, cross-contamination3,203 high priority5797,924
23Non-food contact surfaces clean13 high priority990,314
31BToilet and hand-washing facilities: number, convenient, designed, installed789,593
08AFood protection, cross-contamination70,790 high priority1970,815
29Plumbing installed and maintained24,432 high priority4068,244
03AFood out of temperature66,958 high priority1167,159
16Dishwashing facilities designed, constructed, operated104 high priority4966,224
10In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored1,113 high priority1764,840
31AToilet and hand-washing facilities: number, convenient, designed, installed963,473
11Personnel with infections restricted183 high priority2258,694
41Toxic items properly stored, labeled and used29,845 high priority1955,862
53BFood management certification valid, employee training verification1454,500
01BApproved source47,659 high priority2747,798
50Current license properly displayed19,084 high priority2046,713
21Wiping cloths clean, used properly, stored3545,992
12AHands washed and clean, good hygienic practices37,558 high priority2840,682
12BHands washed and clean, good hygienic practices1239,976
51Other conditions sanitary and safe operation40 high priority3038,737
02COriginal container: properly labeled, date marking, consumer advisory3,981 high priority938,732
24Storage and handling of clean equipment, utensils2238,175
35APresence of insects or rodents; animals prohibited; outer openings protected27,055 high priority2437,807
13Clean clothes, hair restraints933,076
53AFood management certification valid, employee training verification1431,823
25Single service items properly stored, handled, dispensed33 high priority2829,237
40Employee lockers provided and used, clean628,860
02DOriginal container: properly labeled, date marking, consumer advisory728,185
33Waste containers covered, adequate, insect and rodent proof, emptied, clean3027,102
35BPresence of insects or rodents; animals prohibited; outer openings protected1324,631
06Potentially hazardous food properly thawed822,118
03BFood out of temperature21,990 high priority421,991
05Thermometers provided and conspicuously placed14 high priority1621,817
32Restrooms: self-closing doors, working fixtures, clean, soap, towels, tissue, covered waste receptacles3719,463
03FFood out of temperature10,057 high priority1016,805
42Premises maintained, free of litter; cleaning equipment stored; kitchen restricted to authorized personnel316,216
27Water source safe, hot and cold under pressure572 high priority3013,211
03DFood out of temperature8,214 high priority913,087
02BOriginal container: properly labeled, date marking, consumer advisory16 high priority49,283
01CApproved source118,836
38Lighting provided as required, fixtures shielded127,660
03GFood out of temperature907 high priority536,363
09Foods handled with minimum contact3,810 high priority193,979
28Sewage and wastewater disposed properly1,778 high priority302,969
45Fire extinguishers proper and sufficient (reporting only)62,936
48Gas appliances properly installed, maintained (reporting only)41,886
46Exiting system adequate, good repair (reporting only)21,677
01DApproved source1,209 high priority71,298
03CFood out of temperature644 high priority301,295
03EFood out of temperature1,229 high priority91,233
02AOriginal container: properly labeled, date marking, consumer advisory81,011
52False or misleading statements published or advertised relating to food or beverage12967
01AApproved source525 high priority11525
47Electrical wiring adequate, good repair (reporting only)2403
43Complete separation from living or sleeping area, laundry13 high priority4303
55Automatic gratuity notice2287
49Flammable and combustible materials properly stored (reporting only)5179
07Unwrapped or potentially hazardous food not re-served147 high priority3147
54Florida Clean Indoor Air Act2130
04Facilities to maintain product temperature2125
08Food protection, cross-contamination46
12Hands washed and clean, good hygienic practices34
3AFood out of temperature1 high priority34
03Food out of temperature2 high priority33
02Original container: properly labeled, date marking, consumer advisory22
1BApproved source1 high priority22
31Toilet and hand-washing facilities: number, convenient, designed, installed22
35Presence of insects or rodents; animals prohibited; outer openings protected22
01Approved source1 high priority11
15Non-food contact surfaces designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located11
2DOriginal container: properly labeled, date marking, consumer advisory11
358163Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.11
36AFloors properly constructed, clean, drained, coved11
3EFood out of temperature11
3GFood out of temperature11
52AFalse or misleading statements published or advertised relating to food or beverage11
53Food management certification valid, employee training verification11
5AThermometers provided and conspicuously placed11
6Potentially hazardous food properly thawed11
83BRequired employee training expired for all employees.11
8BFood protection, cross-contamination11
Observed: Employee personal items storedNo Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.11

Wording is taken from the most-recorded citation in each family, exactly as it appears on inspection reports. Nothing here is rewritten.