FDACS Citation 3-501.15(B): Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or

Overview

FDACS citation 3-501.15(B) (Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or) is a General violation under Chapter 3 (Food) of the FDA Food Code, with 63 citations in the past 12 months across 310 Florida facilities. General food safety requirement.

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

GeneralPriority Level
Ch. 3Food
63Citations (12 mo)
330Total Citations
310Facilities Cited

Under Florida FDACS inspection rules, citation 3-501.15(B) (Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or) is a general violation addressing Food standards.

What the Code Says

3-501.15(B) — Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or

Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or
uncovered to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the food, or not arranged in equipment to provide
maximum heat transfer through the container walls.

— FDA Food Code / Florida FDACS Inspection Standards (FAC 5K-4)

Priority Classification

General (General): General food safety requirement.

Florida FDACS uses the FDA Food Code priority system — Priority (P) violations have a direct link to foodborne illness; Priority Foundation (Pf) violations support food safety systems; Core (C) violations are good retail practices with no direct illness link.

Citations by County

Florida counties with the most 3-501.15(B) citations
CountyCitations
Pinellas17
Palm Beach13
Miami-Dade13
St. Johns12
Seminole12
Polk8

Most Cited Facilities

Florida FDACS facilities most cited for 3-501.15(B)
FacilityCityTimes CitedLast Cited
Key Food Supermarket Apopka 3 Apr 2, 2025
Gonzalez Bakery & Meat Groveland 2 Dec 3, 2025
Winn Dixie # 2246 Apopka 2 Nov 12, 2025
County Line Mobil Plant City 2 Nov 7, 2025
Sushi With Gusto Delray Beach 2 Oct 9, 2025
Astatula Mexican Market LLC Unit A Astatula 2 Mar 18, 2025
One Island Kitchen Orlando 2 Dec 10, 2024
Tienda Mexicana Apopka 2 May 5, 2023

Recent Inspector Observations

Grocery Outlet 7716, Lynn Haven—

Establishment is cooling hot held whole chickens in closed containers in walk in cooler overnight.

Seven Brothers Foodmart, Lakeland—

Food service area: Shredded chicken that is cooling has tight fitting lid in reach-in cooler. COS: Lid was removed from container to allow proper cooling.

Starbucks #49084, Palm Coast—

Food service: house made sweet cream stored cooling in cambros with tight fitting lids not allowing for heat transfer for ambient cooling.

Key Food Supermarket, Daytona Beach—

Kitchen area: Black bean, Pinto bean, Green pigeon Peas chicken salad made the previous day were covered not allowing for heat to escape from the container. COS: All product was voluntarily discarded by management under citation 18.

Sam's Club # 6212, Orlando—

Cafe - Observed prepared pizza at 51 degrees F and 60 minutes later 51 degrees F, the pizzas were in a covered speed rack. COS: The plastic cover was removed to allow cool air flow.

Galafresh Farms, Lake Worth—

Bakery: Flan and cheese cakes inside walk-in cooler packaged in closed containers before being properly cooled.

Frequently Cited Alongside 3-501.15(B)

6-501.11

Physical facilities not maintained in good repair

269 co-citations

3-501.16(A)(2)

Cold held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 41°F or below

200 co-citations

2-501.11

Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when

171 co-citations

4-501.11

Equipment not maintained in good repair or condition; equipment component not

160 co-citations

3-501.16(A)(1)

Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above,

146 co-citations

3-302.11(A)(1)

Raw animal food not separated during storage, preparation, holding or display from

141 co-citations

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FDACS citation code 3-501.15(B)?
FDACS citation 3-501.15(B) (Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or) is a General violation under Chapter 3 (Food) of the FDA Food Code. Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or uncovered to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the food, or not arranged in equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls.
How serious is FDACS violation 3-501.15(B) (Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or)?
General (General): General food safety requirement. This code has been cited 330 times across 310 Florida FDACS-regulated facilities.
Which types of Florida food businesses receive citation 3-501.15(B)?
FDACS inspects grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines. Citation 3-501.15(B) (Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or) has been cited at 310 such facilities across Florida, with 63 citations in the past 12 months.
What does a General FDACS violation mean?
A General FDACS violation means: General food safety requirement. FDACS (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) uses this classification system — Priority (P), Priority Foundation (Pf), and Core (C) — aligned with the FDA Food Code.

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