FDACS Stop-Sale & Stop-Use Order Categories

Overview

Florida FDACS has issued 69,334 stop-sale and stop-use orders across 2,267 food establishments from 15 violation categories. Stop orders require immediate removal of non-compliant products from sale — covering labeling violations, controlled substances, container requirements, hemp extract products attractive to children, and more.

Sourced from Florida FDACS public inspection records, Jan 2022–present.

15Categories
69,334Total Stop-Sale Orders
2,267Facilities Cited

FDACS stop-sale orders are issued under Florida Statutes Chapter 500 and Florida Administrative Code 5K-4. Each category below links to a full reference page with county breakdowns, top facilities, recent products, and FAQ data drawn from FDACS public inspection records.

Labeling

FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded

64,057 stop-sale orders  ·  1,593 facilities

Container Requirements

581.217(7)(e), F.S

21,469 stop-sale orders  ·  781 facilities

Controlled Substance

500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S

20,016 stop-sale orders  ·  943 facilities

Distribution/Retail Sale and Advertising/Marketing

581.217(7)(e), F.S

16,540 stop-sale orders  ·  742 facilities

Distribution and Retail Sale

FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded

10,184 stop-sale orders  ·  676 facilities

Attractive to Children

FS 581.217 Distribution and Retail Sale of Hemp Extract

6,476 stop-sale orders  ·  530 facilities

Approved Source

FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated

5,477 stop-sale orders  ·  1,032 facilities

Certificate of Analysis

FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law

3,999 stop-sale orders  ·  188 facilities

Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures

FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated

2,174 stop-sale orders  ·  1,061 facilities

Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Food and nonfood-contact

FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment

1,727 stop-sale orders  ·  804 facilities

Chapter 5K-4: Food deemed adulterated

FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated

1,448 stop-sale orders  ·  393 facilities

Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper hot holding temperatures

FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated

921 stop-sale orders  ·  600 facilities

Contaminants

FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law

788 stop-sale orders  ·  189 facilities

Prevention of Food Contamination: Insects, rodents, and animals not present

FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated

772 stop-sale orders  ·  196 facilities

Protection From Contamination: Food-contact surfaces: cleaned

FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment

391 stop-sale orders  ·  207 facilities

FDACS Violation Citation Codes (FDA Food Code)

FDACS also cites FDA Food Code violations during inspections — 139,199 total citations across 324 citation codes covering food handling, equipment, facility, and personnel standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an FDACS stop-sale order?
An FDACS stop-sale or stop-use order is an enforcement action issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services requiring a food establishment to immediately cease selling or using a specific product. Stop-sale orders are issued when products are adulterated, mislabeled, contain controlled substances, fail container requirements, or otherwise violate Florida food safety law. FDACS has issued 69,334 stop-sale orders across 2,267 Florida facilities.
What are the most common reasons for FDACS stop-sale orders?
The most common FDACS stop-sale order categories are: Labeling (products missing required labels), Container Requirements (improper packaging), Controlled Substance (products containing kratom or synthetic cannabinoids), Distribution/Retail Sale violations, and products Attractive to Children under Florida hemp extract law (FS 581.217).
What happens after an FDACS stop-sale order is issued?
After FDACS issues a stop-sale order, the establishment must immediately remove the flagged products from sale. Products cannot be sold, distributed, or used until the violation is corrected and FDACS approves a release. FDACS may issue a companion Stop Use Order (STOP USE ORDER) alongside a Stop Sale Order. Violating a stop-sale order can result in additional penalties under Florida Statutes Chapter 500.
What businesses receive FDACS stop-sale orders?
FDACS issues stop-sale orders to grocery stores, convenience stores, food manufacturers, bakeries, mobile food vendors, vending machine operators, and any other establishment licensed under Florida Statutes Chapter 500. FDACS does not issue stop-sale orders to DBPR-licensed restaurants.

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org. How we collect and verify this data.