FDACS Citation 3-501.16(A)(1): Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above,

Overview

FDACS citation 3-501.16(A)(1) (Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above,) is a Priority violation under Chapter 3 (Food) of the FDA Food Code, with 788 citations in the past 12 months across 2,043 Florida facilities. Directly linked to foodborne illness or injury. Requires immediate corrective action.

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

PriorityPriority Level
Ch. 3Food
788Citations (12 mo)
2,357Total Citations
2,043Facilities Cited

Citation 3-501.16(A)(1) — Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above, — is classified as a priority violation under Florida FDACS inspection standards in the Food chapter.

What the Code Says

3-501.16(A)(1) — Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above,

Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above,
or roast cooked or reheated to a temperature and for a time specified for cooking roast in the Food Code
not hot held at 130°F or above.

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

Priority Classification

Priority (P): Directly linked to foodborne illness or injury. Requires immediate corrective action.

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 3-501.16(A)(1) citations
CountyCitations
Miami-Dade192
Pinellas101
Palm Beach83
St. Johns82
Polk81
Pasco49

Most Cited Facilities

Florida FDACS facilities most cited for 3-501.16(A)(1)
FacilityCityTimes CitedLast Cited
Bravo Supermarket Orange City 5 Dec 15, 2025
Marathon Dade City 4 Dec 29, 2025
Presidente Supermarket No 49 Orlando 4 Aug 27, 2025
Blessing Bakery Orlando 4 Aug 18, 2025
Tienda Mexicana Apopka 4 Apr 28, 2025
One Island Kitchen Orlando 4 Dec 10, 2024
Key Food Supermarket Daytona Beach 3 Apr 3, 2026
Kolos Usa LLC Hallandale Beach 3 Apr 1, 2026

Recent Inspector Observations

7-eleven # 32425, Boynton Beach—

Food service area: The internal temperature of hot dogs and taquitoes in the roller grill ranged from 116*-119* fahrenheit when measured with a calibrated accurate thermometer. COS: Out of temperature foods were reheated at 165* Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds. x

Key Food Supermarket, Daytona Beach—

Kitchen: Internal temperature of commercially processed cheese Empanada indicates 127 degrees F at full service hot bar at 9:30 am. Manager states empanadas were placed on the full service hot bar around 8:30 am. COS: Manger voluntarily discarded out of temperature cheese empanada. See stop sale order and release. Y x

Vw Circle K - 2708626, Tampa—

Retail Area: Internal temperature of tornados and hashbrowns recently placed in open air hot holding unit measure between 102 F and 128 F. COS: Out of temperature products rapidly reheated to measure 165 F for 15 seconds before placed in proper temperature control or discarded as needed. Hot holding unit verified to be in working condition.

Kolos Usa LLC, Hallandale Beach—

Food Service Area: Various food items displayed inside the steamed table including Stuffed peppers, Cheese pancakes, Buckwheat, Veggie rice, Potato wedges, and Mashed potatoes were found with internal temperatures between 90 - 115 degrees F when checked with an accurate probe thermometer. COS: Food items were properly reheated during the visit. Repeat COS Y x Repeat COS

7-eleven Store #32706b, Clermont—

Retail: Chicken wings found with an internal temperature range of 126- 131 degrees F, Boneless chicken wings found with an internal temperature range of 128 degrees F. Pizza slices found with an internal temperature of 121 degrees F. Person charge indicated that these items are expected to maintain 135 degrees or above and are ultimately held for safety using temperature control. All items found it hot holding case next to roller grills. Only products at the front directly next to the doors observed to be out of temperature. Ambient reading of unit on multiple thermometers in multiple locations had a range of 150 175 degrees F. COS: Items were voluntarily discarded by person in charge during inspection. Print Date: 4/1/2026 Page 1 of 2 Repeat COS o Y x o Y x 24 Pf Citation Description: Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to an event that involves the discharge of vomitus or diarrhea onto surfaces at the food establishment, or procedures do not address specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter. 2-501.11 Pf Observation: Written procedures provided by the establishment did not address all required items. No step that involved what to do with any contaminated food products.

Racetrac # 0165, Tampa—

Retail Area: Internal temperature of nacho cheese and chili in chili/cheese dispenser measures 114 F. COS: Stop Sale Order and Release issued. Out of temperature products voluntarily discarded by management as witnessed by inspector.

Frequently Cited Alongside 3-501.16(A)(1)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FDACS citation code 3-501.16(A)(1)?
FDACS citation 3-501.16(A)(1) (Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above,) is a Priority violation under Chapter 3 (Food) of the FDA Food Code. Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above, or roast cooked or reheated to a temperature and for a time specified for cooking roast in the Food Code not hot held at 130°F or above.
How serious is FDACS violation 3-501.16(A)(1) (Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above,)?
Priority (P): Directly linked to foodborne illness or injury. Requires immediate corrective action. This code has been cited 2357 times across 2,043 Florida FDACS-regulated facilities.
Which types of Florida food businesses receive citation 3-501.16(A)(1)?
FDACS inspects grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines. Citation 3-501.16(A)(1) (Hot held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 135°F or above,) has been cited at 2,043 such facilities across Florida, with 788 citations in the past 12 months.
What does a Priority FDACS violation mean?
A Priority FDACS violation means: Directly linked to foodborne illness or injury. Requires immediate corrective action. 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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