FDACS Citation 4-501.14: Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or

Overview

FDACS citation 4-501.14 (Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or) is a General violation under Chapter 4 (Equipment, Utensils, and Linens) of the FDA Food Code, with 108 citations in the past 12 months across 752 Florida facilities. General food safety requirement.

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

GeneralPriority Level
Ch. 4Equipment, Utensils, and Linens
108Citations (12 mo)
785Total Citations
752Facilities Cited

Citation 4-501.14 — Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or — is classified as a general violation under Florida FDACS inspection standards in the Equipment, Utensils, and Linens chapter.

What the Code Says

4-501.14 — Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or

Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or
rinsing raw food or laundering wiping cloths; or drainboards or equipment used to substitute for drainboards
not cleaned before use, throughout the day at a frequency necessary to prevent recontamination of
equipment and utensils and ensure the equipment performs its intended function, and at least every 24
hours when used.

— 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 4-501.14 citations
CountyCitations
Pinellas50
Palm Beach40
Polk34
Volusia33
Miami-Dade29
Hillsborough26

Most Cited Facilities

Florida FDACS facilities most cited for 4-501.14
FacilityCityTimes CitedLast Cited
Circle K # 1416 Gainesville 2 Mar 12, 2026
Ward's Supermarket Annex Gainesville 2 Feb 24, 2026
Bobadex LLC Tampa 2 Feb 2, 2026
Quickstop #15 Tallahassee 2 Dec 18, 2025
Foo Lots Market Madison 2 Dec 3, 2025
Sunoco Hernando 2 Nov 20, 2025
Walmart #3702 (main) Jacksonville 2 Nov 18, 2025
Sunstop Urban Market Establishment #: 383555 Tallahassee 2 Nov 5, 2025

Recent Inspector Observations

Herbal Connections, Palm Coast—

Ware Wash Room: Residue and build-up of boxes, equipment, and shelving exists in 3-compartment sink in ware wash room is preventing the establishment from properly washing, rinsing, and sanitizing utensils and equipment used for food. Employee states he is uncertain when food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils were last washed, rinsed, and sanitized. COS: Employee moved all boxes, equipment and shelving from 3-compartment sink.

Taqueria Dos Hermanos, Gibsonton—

Kitchen and Roast chicken room: Black mold-like build-up inside spray nozzle in the 3 compartment sinks.

Maxie Angel INC, Citra—

Warewashing area - Warewashing sink had buildup of old residue on surfaces of basin corners, basin backsplash, and drain board. Cos - Warewashing sink was cleaned and sanitized during the inspection.

Ice Cream's Bar B Que, Tampa—

Warewashing area: Unclean three compartment sink basins. Stop-use for 3 compartment sink. Old Food build-up in spray nozzle in the 3 compartment sink.

Circle K # 1416, Gainesville—

Little Caesars warewashing area - There was an accumulation of old food debris and soil on both drain boards of the warewashing sink. Cos - Warewashing sink was cleaned and sanitized during the inspection.

Tan Phat Oriental Market LLC, Tampa—

Warewashing area: Brown and black build-up in three compartment sink sanitizer basin. COS: Sanitizer basin was cleaned and sanitized.

Frequently Cited Alongside 4-501.14

6-501.11

Physical facilities not maintained in good repair

690 co-citations

2-501.11

Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when

411 co-citations

6-501.12

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

355 co-citations

6-301.11

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

345 co-citations

2-102.11(C)(2)-(3)

Person in charge does not correctly respond to questions that relate to preventing

276 co-citations

5-205.11

Handwashing sink not maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee

268 co-citations

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FDACS citation code 4-501.14?
FDACS citation 4-501.14 (Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or) is a General violation under Chapter 4 (Equipment, Utensils, and Linens) of the FDA Food Code. Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or rinsing raw food or laundering wiping cloths; or drainboards or equipment used to substitute for drainboards not cleaned before use, throughout the day at a frequency necessary to prevent recontamination of equipment and utensils and ensure the equipment performs its intended function, and at least every 24 hours when used.
How serious is FDACS violation 4-501.14 (Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or)?
General (General): General food safety requirement. This code has been cited 785 times across 752 Florida FDACS-regulated facilities.
Which types of Florida food businesses receive citation 4-501.14?
FDACS inspects grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines. Citation 4-501.14 (Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or) has been cited at 752 such facilities across Florida, with 108 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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