When was Handy Food Store # in Alva last inspected?

Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on September 8, 2025. Inspection type: Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements.

How many inspections has Handy Food Store # in Alva had?

Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva has 2 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.

What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Handy Food Store # in Alva find?

Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva was most recently inspected by FDACS on September 8, 2025 (Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements).

Has Handy Food Store # in Alva had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?

Yes, Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva has 1 stop-sale or stop-use enforcement action(s) on record with Florida FDACS. Most affected products were voluntarily destroyed.

Handy Food Store # in Alva

Name: Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva Inspection Records
Creator: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Last inspected: September 8, 2025

21321 Palm Beach Blvd, Alva, FL 33920

Lee County · Convenience Store Significant FS AND/OR Packaged Ice · FDACS
Owner: Handy Food Stores INC.
FDACS Estab #: 35669

Overview

Handy Food Store #0086 in Alva was inspected twice, on April 4, 2023 and September 8, 2025, with a combined 25 violations on record. A stop-sale order issued September 8, 2025 required the immediate removal of time/temperature control for safety food that did not meet proper hot holding temperatures; the product was voluntarily destroyed by management and witnessed by the inspector. The September 2025 inspection documented 13 violations, including priority findings of toxic materials stored next to food (spray bottles next to packaged bread at the front food service counter) and an employee handling food items without washing hands after discarding floor items and changing gloves. Multiple violations were corrected on site during the inspection: the employee washed hands in the proper handwash sink, spray bottles were relocated, and the creamer dispenser nozzle was cleaned and sanitized. The April 2023 inspection found 12 violations including improper sanitizer concentration (measured at 400 ppm instead of the required 200 ppm) and missing backflow prevention devices on plumbing fixtures. Most violations documented in both inspections involved date marking of ready-to-eat foods and handwashing compliance, indicating recurring management issues.

Summary generated from Florida FDACS public inspection records.

2FDACS Insp.

25Violations

1Stop-Sale Orders

Last inspected FDACS: September 8, 2025

Handy Food Store # in Alva: FDACS Inspection History (2)

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.

2025 — 1 inspection

Sep 8, 2025 — Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements· 13 violations· 1 stop-sale order· Met Requirements

Inspector: LEARY, 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.

Risk-Based Violations

4-601.11(A) Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch. 4-601.11(A) PfPf

Retail- Accumulation of residue inside half n half nozzle at creamer dispenser. (COS) Employee cleaned and sanitized nozzle during inspection.

3-501.17(B) Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and packaged by a food processing plant not clearly marked, when opened onsite and held for more than 24 hours, to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed, sold, or discarded when held at 41°F or less for a maximum of 7 days; or the day the original container is opened onsite not counted as day 1. 3-501.17(B) PfPf

Retail- Opened half and half not date marked at creamer dispenser. (COS) Employee date marked half and half 09-07-25 during inspection.

7-201.11 Poisonous or toxic materials not stored to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles by separating the poisonous or toxic material by spacing or partitioning, or locating the poisonous or toxic material in an area that is not above food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles. 7-201.11 PP

Front Food Service Counter- Spray bottles of cleaner stored next to packaged bread. (COS) Employee properly stored spray bottles during inspection. x Y x x

2-301.15 Food employee not cleaning hands in a handwash sink or approved automatic handwashing facility. Food employee cleaning hands in a sink used for food preparation or warewashing, or in a service sink. 2-301.15 PfPf

Kitchen Area- Employee washed hands in three compartment sink. (COS) Employee properly washed hands in hand wash sink during inspection.

2-301.14 Food employee not cleaning hands or exposed portions of arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment or utensils, or unwrapped single service or single use articles; after touching bare human body parts; after using the toilet room; after caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals; after coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or tissue, using tobacco, eating or drinking; after handling soiled equipment or utensils; during food preparation as often as necessary to remove soil and prevent cross contamination; before donning gloves to initiate a task that involves working with food; or after engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. 2-301.14 PP

Kitchen Area- Employee discarded items from floor, changed gloves, and handled food items without washing hands. (COS) Discussed proper hand-washing with employee and washed hands during inspection. x

6-301.11 Handwashing sink or group of 2 adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with: individual, disposable towels; continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; a heated-air hand drying device; or a device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures. 6-301.11 and 6-301.12 PfPf

Kitchen Area- No paper towels stored at hand wash sink. (COS) Paper towels stored at hand wash sink during inspection.

Good Retail Practice Violations

3-305.11 Food not stored at least 6 inches above the floor; in a clean, dry location; or food stored where it is exposed to splash, dust or other contamination. 3-305.11

Kitchen Walk in Cooler and Back Room Storage Areas- Various food items stored on floor.

3-304.12(B) During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, utensil stored in food that is not time/temperature control for safety food not stored with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed. 3-304.12(B)

Kitchen Area- Container with no handle stored inside breading.

3-304.12(C)-(F) During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, utensil not stored on a clean portion of the food preparation table or cooking equipment; in running water of sufficient velocity to flush particles to the drain when used with moist foods; in a clean, protected location when used only with food that is not time/temperature control for safety food; or in a container of water maintained at 135°F or greater. 3-304.12(C)-(F)

Front Food Service Counter- Tongs used for hot held food items stored on unclean shelf. (COS) Employee stored in-use utensils on clean surface during inspection.

4-601.11(C) Nonfood-contact surface of equipment has an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue or other debris. 4-601.11(C)

Retail- Accumulation of debris surrounding soda nozzles exterior at soda machine.

5-205.15(B) Plumbing system not maintained in good repair. 5-205.15(B)

Kitchen Area- Hand wash sink small drain line and three compartment sink faucet leaking.

6-501.16 After use, mop not placed in a position that allows air-drying without soiling walls, equipment or supplies. 6-501.16

Kitchen Area- Wet mop stored in a manner not allowing to properly air-dry.

6-501.12 Physical facilities not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean, or cleaning not done during periods when the least amount of food is exposed such as after closing. 6-501.12

Kitchen Area- Large accumulation of dust/debris above fryer station.

Stop-Sale Orders & Supplemental Actions

STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE

Reason: FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper hot holding temperatures.

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

Disposition: Product was voluntarily destroyed by food establishment management and witnessed by inspector.

2023 — 1 inspection

Apr 4, 2023 — Met Inspection Requirements· 12 violations· Met Requirements

Inspector: JOHN WEAVER, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: Trainee present during inspection. All violations verified by primary inspector.

Risk-Based Violations

RETAIL: coffee creamers in dispenser not date marked (cos) creamers date marked x

7-204.11 Chemical sanitizer or other chemical antimicrobial applied to food-contact surface does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180.940 or 40 CFR 180.2020. 7-204.11 PP

KITCHEN: QT sanitizer concentration at 400 ppm (cos) sanitizer concentration adjusted to 200 ppm. x Print Date: 4/4/2023 Page 1 of 3

2-401.11 Employee eating, drinking or using tobacco where exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, unwrapped single service and single use articles or other items could become contaminated. 2-401.11

KITCHEN: food employee eating and drinking in the kitchen area o

Good Retail Practice Violations

3-302.12 Working container holding a food or food ingredient that is not readily and unmistakably recognized and has been removed from its original packaging for use in the establishment is not identified with the common name of the food. 3-302.12

KITCHEN: CONTAINER OF BREADING NOT LABELED. o

3-303.12 Packaged food subject to the entry of water stored in direct contact with ice or water, or unpackaged food stored in direct contact with undrained ice. 3-303.12

KITCHEN: ice build up on food boxes stored in the walk in freezer o

3-305.11 Food not stored at least 6 inches above the floor; in a clean, dry location; or food stored where it is exposed to splash, dust or other contamination. 3-305.11

KITCHEN: food boxes stored on the walk in freezer floorBACKROOM: drinks stored directly on the floor o

KITCHEN: bowl used for a breading scoop o

4-202.16 Nonfood-contact surfaces not free of unnecessary ledges, projections, and crevices or not designed and constructed to allow easy cleaning and to facilitate maintenance. 4-202.16

BACKROOM: inverted drink crates used for storage o

4-302.14 Test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration in MG/L of sanitizing solution not provided. 4-302.14 Pf

KITCHEN: QT test strips unavailable o

5-203.14 Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas contaminant into the water supply system at each point of use, including on a hose bibb, by providing an air gap or installation of an approved backflow prevention device. 5-203.14 Pf

BACKROOM: backflow device missing on the mop sink faucetOUTSIDE: backflow device missing on the faucet at the side of the building o

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: dumpster drain plug missing o

6-501.14 Intake or exhaust air ducts not cleaned or filters not changed and they are a source of contamination by dust, dirt, or other materials; or ventilation system vented to the outside creates a public health hazard or nuisance or unlawful discharge. 6-501.14

KITCHEN: dust build up on oven hood vent and ceiling vent o

Handy Food Store # in Alva: Stop-Sale & Stop-Use Orders (1)

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 Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva
Date	Order Type	Product	Brand/Lot	Reason
Sep 8, 2025	STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE	—	Number of Packages:	FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper hot holding temperatures.

Handy Food Store # in Alva: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Handy Food Store # in Alva last inspected?: Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on September 8, 2025. Inspection type: Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements.
How many inspections has Handy Food Store # in Alva had?: Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva has 2 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Handy Food Store # in Alva find?: Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva was most recently inspected by FDACS on September 8, 2025 (Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements).
Has Handy Food Store # in Alva had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?: Yes, Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva has 1 stop-sale or stop-use enforcement action(s) on record with Florida FDACS. Most affected products were voluntarily destroyed.
What are the most common violations at Handy Food Store # in Alva?: The most frequently cited FDACS violations at Handy Food Store # 0086 in Alva are: 2-401.11: Employee eating, drinking or using tobacco where exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, unwrapped single service and single use articles or other items could become contaminated. 2-401.11; 3-501.17(B): Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and packaged by a food processing plant not clearly marked, when opened onsite and held for more than 24 hours, to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed, sold, or discarded when held at 41°F or less for a maximum of 7 days; or the day the original container is opened onsite not counted as day 1. 3-501.17(B) Pf; 7-204.11: Chemical sanitizer or other chemical antimicrobial applied to food-contact surface does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180.940 or 40 CFR 180.2020. 7-204.11 P.