Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona

Last inspected:

42341 State Road 19, Altoona, FL 32702
Overview

Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium received a stop-use order on November 19, 2025 for warewashing facility deficiencies under Florida Food Law (FS 500; FAC 5K-4). The facility lacked a three-compartment sink required for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing equipment and utensils used in on-site repackaging of exposed foods. Inspector notes documented that the employee was using the handwashing sink to wash plastic containers for tea repackaging, a violation of proper sink use. A focused inspection on January 8, 2026 confirmed the original stop-use order remained in effect pending corrections. On February 13, 2026, the facility obtained and installed a working warewashing sink in the back room, and the inspector released the order after verification. The facility has 4 total inspections on record with zero violations documented on the most recent inspection.

Summary generated from Florida FDACS public inspection records.

4FDACS Insp.
8Violations
2Stop-Sale Orders

Last inspected FDACS:

Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona: FDACS Inspection History (4)

Inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), which oversees grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines.

— 2 inspections
— Focused Inspection· 1 stop-sale order· Focused Inspection

Inspector: ALLISON LAURICELLA, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: This visit is associated with Request # 5150864. The original Stop Use Order issued on 11/19/2025 for All Food Processing, Equipment, and Utensils has been released. Inspector has verified the installation of a working warewashing sink in the back room. Dishwashing Procedures and Warewashing Sink Guide Provided.

Stop-Sale Orders & Supplemental Actions

STOP USE ORDER

Reason: FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, and used; test strips.

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

Disposition: Equipment was obtained, repaired or replaced, checked, and released.
— Focused Inspection - Check-back Needed· Re-Inspection Required

Inspector: ALLISON LAURICELLA, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: The original Stop-Use Order on 11/19/2025 for All Food Processing, Equipment, and Utensils remains in effect. Food establishment can visit https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov or contact the Business Center at (850) 245-5520 when corrections have been made and/or when required documents have been obtained to request food safety inspector visit for written release of product and/or equipment. Failure to comply with the request for written release may or will result in Administrative Action. This Focused Inspection is being conducted offsite to document a verbal conversation to help assist the food establishment with compliance of recent food safety observations and continuing issues.

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

— 1 inspection
— Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements - Check Back Needed· 8 violations· 1 stop-sale order· Met Requirements

Inspector: ALLISON LAURICELLA, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: When citations have been corrected and initialed, an electronic copy of the completed report may be emailed to [email protected]. Please note each observation that has been corrected. Employee Health Guidelines, Guidance for Written Procedures for the Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events, Dishwashing Procedures, and Reporting Agreement provided. Food establishment has been changed from a 135 - Specialty Food Shop to a 123 - Convenience Store Limited Food Service AND/OR Packaging Ice.

Risk-Based Violations

2-103.11(O) Person in charge does not ensure food employees and conditional employees are informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. 2-103.11(O) PfPf
It could not be verified that employees are informed of their responsibility to report information regarding foodborne disease and symptoms. Food Employee Reporting Agreement handout was provided.
2-102.11(C)(2)-(3) Person in charge does not correctly respond to questions that relate to preventing transmission of foodborne disease by a food employee who has a disease or medical condition that may cause foodborne disease, can not describe symptoms associated with diseases that are transmissible through food, or can not explain how to comply with reporting responsibilities and exclusion or restriction of food employees. 2-102.11(C)(2)-(3) and (17) PfPf
The person in charge did not correctly respond to all questions regarding foodborne disease. Employee Health Guide handout was provided. o
5-205.11 Handwashing sink not maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use or is used for purposes other than handwashing, or an automatic handwashing facility not used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. 5-205.11 PfPf
Back Area: Employee used handwashing sink to wash plastic container used for repackaging dry tea. COS: Employee was directed to only wash hands in handwashing sink.
3-201.11(C) Packaged food not labeled from the source as specified in law, including 21 CFR 101, 9 CFR 317, and 9 CFR 381. 3-201.11(C) PfPf
Retail: Packaged/bottled honey received from a separately permitted establishment does not contain any labeling information in baskets and on shelves on the retail sales floor. COS: Honey was removed from sales floor to back room to be properly labeled.

Good Retail Practice Violations

3-602.11(B)(1)-(4) Food packaged on site not labeled with: the common name of the food or an adequate descriptive identity statement; if made from two or more ingredients, a list of ingredients and sub-ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight; an accurate declaration of the net quantity of contents; the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; or nutritional labeling as specified in 21 CFR 101 and 9 CFR 317 Subpart B. 3-602.11(B)(1)-(4) and (6)
Retail: Commercially processed nuts that are received in bulk and repackaged into plastic containers do not contain any labeling information on shelf on retail sales floor. COS: Packages of nuts were relocated to back room to the properly labeled. x
4-301.12(A)-(C) Sink with at least 3 compartments, that are large enough to accommodate immersion of the largest equipment or utensil, not provided for manually washing, rinsing, and sanitizing equipment and utensils; or a warewashing machine or alternative equipment as specified in the Food Code not used for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing equipment or utensils that are too large for the warewashing sink. 4-301.12(A)-(C) Pf
Establishment does not have a three compartment sink to wash, rinse, and sanitize equipment and utensils for repackaged on site and exposed foods. See Stop Use Order.
5-501.11 Drains in receptacles or waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables do not have drain plugs in place. 5-501.114
Outside: No drain plugs provided on side of dumpster in back area.
99 The food establishment permit is not conspicuously displayed. 5K-4.020(2)(d) F.A.C.
Food establishment does not have the current food permit displayed. Displayed permit expired 06/21/2025.

Stop-Sale Orders & Supplemental Actions

STOP USE ORDER

Reason: FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, and used; test strips. Comments: When corrections have been made, request a Food Safety Inspector visit for written release of product by contacting the Business Center at (850) 245-5520 or [email protected]. Print Date: 11/19/2025 Page 1 of 2 When the department or its duly authorized agent finds, or has probable cause to believe, that any food or food-processing equipment is in violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter so as to be dangerous, unwholesome, fraudulent, or insanitary within the meaning of this chapter, an agent of the department may issue and enforce a stop-sale, stop-use, removal, or hold order, which order gives notice that such article or processing equipment is, or is suspected of being, in violation and has been detained or embargoed and which order warns all persons not to remove, use, or dispose of such article or processing equipment by sale or otherwise until permission for removal, use, or disposal is given by the department or the court. It is unlawful for any person to remove, use, or dispose of such detained or embargoed article or processing equipment by sale or otherwise without such permission in accordance with 500.172 (1) Florida Statutes. AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL ORDERS, NOTICES, AND REPORTS IN THIS SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT If you wish to contest the Department's action, you have the right to request an administrative hearing to be conducted in accordance with Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes and to be represented by counsel or other qualified representative. Your request for hearing must contain: 1. Your name, address, and telephone number, and facsimile number (if any). 2. The name, address, and telephone number, and facsimile number of your attorney or qualified representative (if any) upon whom service of pleadings and other papers shall be made. 3. A statement that you are requesting an administrative hearing and dispute the material facts alleged by the department, in which case you must identify the material facts that are in dispute (formal hearing), or that you request an administrative hearing and that you do not dispute the facts alleged by the department (informal hearing). 4. A statement of when (date) you received the Notice and the file number of this Notice. Your request for a hearing must be received at the address shown on this Notice within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this Notice. If you fail to obtain a Release from this Notice or fail to request an administrative hearing within the twenty-one (21) day deadline you waive your right to a hearing and the Department may enter a Final Order imposing up to the maximum penalties as authorized by Florida Law. HEARING WAIVER AND WAIVER OF RIGHTS I, _____________________________________________________ the person in charge of LAURA'S SWEET & SPICY EMPORIUM hereby waive a notice and a hearing as provided in Chapter 120, Florida Statutes and waive all rights as provided on the last page of this report. Refused to sign ____________________________________________ (Signature) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I acknowledge receipt of a copy of this document. (Signature of FDACS Representative) (Signature of Representative) ALLISON LAURICELLA, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II PAM ALLEN, HELPER Print Name and Title FDACS-14325 Rev. 07/13 Print Date: 11/19/2025 Page 2 of 2

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

— 1 inspection
— Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: CLYDE ZALESKI, SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST

Comments: Establishment is damaged from a vehicle accident and is temporarily closed for repair.

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona: Stop-Sale & Stop-Use Orders (2)

Products placed under stop-sale or stop-use order by FDACS inspectors. Stop-sale orders prohibit the sale of food that is adulterated, mislabeled, or poses a health risk.

FDACS stop-sale and stop-use orders for Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona
DateOrder TypeProductBrand/LotReason
STOP USE ORDER Number of Packages: FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Warewashing facilities: installed, mai…
STOP USE ORDER Number of Packages: FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Warewashing facilities: installed, mai…

Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona last inspected?
Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on February 13, 2026. Inspection type: Focused Inspection.
How many inspections has Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona had?
Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona has 4 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona find?
Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona was most recently inspected by FDACS on February 13, 2026 (Focused Inspection).
Has Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?
Yes, Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona has 2 stop-sale or stop-use enforcement action(s) on record with Florida FDACS. Most affected products were released after correction.
What are the most common violations at Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona?
The most frequently cited FDACS violations at Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium in Altoona are: 2-103.11(O): Person in charge does not ensure food employees and conditional employees are informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. 2-103.11(O) Pf; 2-102.11(C)(2)-(3): Person in charge does not correctly respond to questions that relate to preventing transmission of foodborne disease by a food employee who has a disease or medical condition that may cause foodborne disease, can not describe symptoms associated with diseases that are transmissible through food, or can not explain how to comply with reporting responsibilities and exclusion or restriction of food employees. 2-102.11(C)(2)-(3) and (17) Pf; 5-205.11: Handwashing sink not maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use or is used for purposes other than handwashing, or an automatic handwashing facility not used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. 5-205.11 Pf.

Nearby Establishments to Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium

Stories You May Have Missed Altoona

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Laura's Sweet & Spicy Emporium. How we collect and verify this data.