FDACS Citation 4-204.11: Temperature measuring device sensor not located to measure the air temperature

Overview

FDACS citation 4-204.11 (Temperature measuring device sensor not located to measure the air temperature) is a General violation under Chapter 4 (Equipment, Utensils, and Linens) of the FDA Food Code, with 223 citations in the past 12 months across 1,364 Florida facilities. General food safety requirement.

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

GeneralPriority Level
Ch. 4Equipment, Utensils, and Linens
223Citations (12 mo)
1,433Total Citations
1,364Facilities Cited

FDACS citation 4-204.11 (Temperature measuring device sensor not located to measure the air temperature) is a general food safety violation under Chapter 4 (Equipment, Utensils, and Linens) of the FDA Food Code.

What the Code Says

4-204.11 — Temperature measuring device sensor not located to measure the air temperature

Temperature measuring device sensor not located to measure the air temperature
or a simulated product temperature in the warmest part of a mechanically refrigerated unit or in the coolest
part of a hot food storage unit; cold or hot holding equipment used for time/temperature control for safety
food not equipped with at least one integral or permanently affixed temperature measuring device that is
located to allow easy viewing of the temperature display; or temperature measuring device not designed to
be easily readable. 4-204.112(A), (B) and (D)

— 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 4-204.11 citations
CountyCitations
Miami-Dade131
Palm Beach89
Pinellas81
Polk43
Marion40
Pasco38

Most Cited Facilities

Florida FDACS facilities most cited for 4-204.11
FacilityCityTimes CitedLast Cited
Living Water Snow Cones and More Lakeland 2 Mar 17, 2026
Key Food Pembroke Pines 2 Feb 25, 2026
Shree Hanumanji INC High Springs 2 Feb 18, 2026
Jiffy 1543 Chiefland 2 Jan 23, 2026
Inglis Food Store Inglis 2 Jan 16, 2026
Marathon Dade City 2 Dec 29, 2025
Ranjan 1 LLC Jasper 2 Dec 18, 2025
Taqueria Esmeralda Jennings 2 Dec 11, 2025

Recent Inspector Observations

Kooler Ice - Aliana Meat Market, Tampa—

Retail area: No ambient air thermometer in retail meats open air cooler. COS: Thermometer was provided.

Rocket Fuel, Sunrise—

Retail area- Small reach in cooler when sandwiches is missing ambient thermometer

Sarahs Tent, Aventura—

Backroom Area: Ambient air thermometer not present in walk in coolers and freezer.

Mount Dora Jerky Co., Mount Dora—

Retail: No ambient thermometer provided in small cooler along wall containing time/temperature control for safety foods.

Starbucks #49084, Palm Coast—

Food service: No ambient air thermometer provided in under the counter ready to eat food cooler located under the ovens. COS: Manager provided ambient air thermometer to cooler.

Lorenzo Ruiz Cruz Distribution, Tampa—

Kitchen and food service areas: Thermometers for measuring ambient air temperatures not provided in stand alone kitchen cooler and front dessert display coolers.

Frequently Cited Alongside 4-204.11

6-501.11

Physical facilities not maintained in good repair

1,014 co-citations

2-501.11

Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when

654 co-citations

5-501.11

Receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables not

507 co-citations

6-501.12

Physical facilities not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean, or cleaning

485 co-citations

6-301.11

Handwashing sink or group of 2 adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with hand

452 co-citations

4-302.12

Food temperature measuring device not provided or not readily accessible for use in

409 co-citations

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FDACS citation code 4-204.11?
FDACS citation 4-204.11 (Temperature measuring device sensor not located to measure the air temperature) is a General violation under Chapter 4 (Equipment, Utensils, and Linens) of the FDA Food Code. Temperature measuring device sensor not located to measure the air temperature or a simulated product temperature in the warmest part of a mechanically refrigerated unit or in the coolest part of a hot food storage unit; cold or hot holding equipment used for time/temperature control for safety food not equipped with at least one integral or permanently affixed temperature measuring device that is located to allow easy viewing of the temperature display; or temperature measuring device not designed to be easily readable. 4-204.112(A), (B) and (D)
How serious is FDACS violation 4-204.11 (Temperature measuring device sensor not located to measure the air temperature)?
General (General): General food safety requirement. This code has been cited 1433 times across 1,364 Florida FDACS-regulated facilities.
Which types of Florida food businesses receive citation 4-204.11?
FDACS inspects grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines. Citation 4-204.11 (Temperature measuring device sensor not located to measure the air temperature) has been cited at 1,364 such facilities across Florida, with 223 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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