FDACS Citation 4-601.11(A): Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch

Overview

FDACS citation 4-601.11(A) (Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch) is a Priority Foundation violation under Chapter 4 (Equipment, Utensils, and Linens) of the FDA Food Code, with 551 citations in the past 12 months across 1,573 Florida facilities. Supports Priority items. Failure to meet these facilitates food safety failures.

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

Priority FoundationPriority Level
Ch. 4Equipment, Utensils, and Linens
551Citations (12 mo)
1,708Total Citations
1,573Facilities Cited

FDACS citation 4-601.11(A) (Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch) is a priority foundation food safety violation under Chapter 4 (Equipment, Utensils, and Linens) of the FDA Food Code.

What the Code Says

4-601.11(A) — Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch

Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch.

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

Priority Classification

Priority Foundation (Pf): Supports Priority items. Failure to meet these facilitates food safety failures.

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 4-601.11(A) citations
CountyCitations
Miami-Dade120
Polk63
St. Johns60
Palm Beach58
Pinellas58
Volusia38

Most Cited Facilities

Florida FDACS facilities most cited for 4-601.11(A)
FacilityCityTimes CitedLast Cited
Ocean Breeze Fish Market Tampa 4 Aug 15, 2024
Bagelicious Deli and Bakery Ocala 3 Feb 12, 2026
Sedanos Supermarket # 0040 Orlando 3 Oct 22, 2025
La Hacienda Meat Market Winter Park 3 May 21, 2025
Nd's Corner Store Sanford 3 Feb 4, 2025
Guerrero Market #1 Corp Miami 3 Apr 7, 2023
Fast Freddys Establishment #: 395111 Perry 2 Mar 31, 2026
Kung Fu Tea/token Ramen Tampa 2 Mar 23, 2026

Recent Inspector Observations

Grocery Outlet 7716, Lynn Haven—

Meat room: Equipment used to grind raw meat had build up of old food residue in inner crevices. COS: Person in charge had employees clean meat grinder during inspection.

Kooler Ice - Aliana Meat Market, Tampa—

Meat back area: Old protein build-up observed on area between blades of bottom cabinet of band saw and on corners of top cabinet of band saw. Old protein build-up observed between blades of meat tenderizer. COS: Band saw and tenderizer were cleaned and sanitized.

Love's Travel Stop # 0228, Polk City—

Arby's- Fountain drink spigots near cash register has a build up of sticky residue. COSSpigots were cleaned and sanitized during inspection.

Sarahs Tent, Aventura—

Processing Area: Counter mounted can opener with black soil build up on base, blade and handle. COS: Voluntarily washed rinsed and sanitized at time of inspection.

Antojitos Mexicanos Bendicion, Fort Pierce—

Kitchen- Spoon stored as clean had dried food debris on it. COS- Spoon was placed in three compartment sink to be washed and sanitized.

Planet Smoothie, Lake Mary—

Preparation Area: Strainer not clean due to encrusted food debris. (COS) Strainer was voluntarily discarded during inspection.

Frequently Cited Alongside 4-601.11(A)

6-501.11

Physical facilities not maintained in good repair

1,443 co-citations

2-501.11

Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when

815 co-citations

3-501.16(A)(2)

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

709 co-citations

6-501.12

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

690 co-citations

4-501.11

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

620 co-citations

3-302.11(A)(1)

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

620 co-citations

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FDACS citation code 4-601.11(A)?
FDACS citation 4-601.11(A) (Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch) is a Priority Foundation violation under Chapter 4 (Equipment, Utensils, and Linens) of the FDA Food Code. Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch.
How serious is FDACS violation 4-601.11(A) (Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch)?
Priority Foundation (Pf): Supports Priority items. Failure to meet these facilitates food safety failures. This code has been cited 1708 times across 1,573 Florida FDACS-regulated facilities.
Which types of Florida food businesses receive citation 4-601.11(A)?
FDACS inspects grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines. Citation 4-601.11(A) (Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch) has been cited at 1,573 such facilities across Florida, with 551 citations in the past 12 months.
What does a Priority Foundation FDACS violation mean?
A Priority Foundation FDACS violation means: Supports Priority items. Failure to meet these facilitates food safety failures. 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.

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