FDACS Citation 5-203.14: Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas

Overview

FDACS citation 5-203.14 (Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas) is a Priority Foundation violation under Chapter 5 (Water, Plumbing, and Waste) of the FDA Food Code, with 249 citations in the past 12 months across 1,292 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. 5Water, Plumbing, and Waste
249Citations (12 mo)
1,374Total Citations
1,292Facilities Cited

Citation 5-203.14 — Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas — is classified as a priority foundation violation under Florida FDACS inspection standards in the Water, Plumbing, and Waste chapter.

What the Code Says

5-203.14 — Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas

Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas
contaminant into the water supply system at each point of use, including on a hose bibb, by providing an air
gap or installation of an approved backflow prevention device.

— 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 5-203.14 citations
CountyCitations
Miami-Dade86
Palm Beach86
Brevard59
Union49
Suwannee44
St. Lucie42

Most Cited Facilities

Florida FDACS facilities most cited for 5-203.14
FacilityCityTimes CitedLast Cited
Bagelicious Deli and Bakery Ocala 3 Feb 12, 2026
Sun Stop #0307 Lake City 3 Dec 31, 2025
Blessing Bakery Orlando 3 Aug 1, 2025
Frank's Fresh Fruits Mini Market Miami 3 Jun 4, 2025
Ocean Breeze Fish Market Tampa 3 Aug 29, 2024
Pump&munch Tampa 2 Mar 26, 2026
Meadows Grocery Quincy 2 Mar 2, 2026
Jiffy Food Store # 0302 Mayo 2 Feb 26, 2026

Recent Inspector Observations

7-eleven # 32425, Boynton Beach—

Outside area: Water outlet at store front wall missing back flow prevention device.

Sarahs Tent, Aventura—

Processing Area: Wall mounted threaded faucet at hand sink missing backflow prevention device.

Ny Ny Pizza, Riverview—

Mop sink area: Backflow prevention device not provided at mop sink with hose splitter and hose attached.

La Casa Del Jibarito, Tampa—

Mop sink area: Backflow prevention device not provided at mop sink with hose attached.

Starbucks #49084, Palm Coast—

Backroom: No backflow prevention devise attached to splitter attached to threaded mop sink faucet.

Sams Express, Jacksonville—

Backroom: Mop sink splitter does not have a back flow prevention device installed.

Frequently Cited Alongside 5-203.14

6-501.11

Physical facilities not maintained in good repair

916 co-citations

2-501.11

Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when

655 co-citations

5-501.11

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

590 co-citations

6-501.12

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

426 co-citations

6-301.11

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

387 co-citations

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

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

365 co-citations

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FDACS citation code 5-203.14?
FDACS citation 5-203.14 (Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas) is a Priority Foundation violation under Chapter 5 (Water, Plumbing, and Waste) of the FDA Food Code. Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas contaminant into the water supply system at each point of use, including on a hose bibb, by providing an air gap or installation of an approved backflow prevention device.
How serious is FDACS violation 5-203.14 (Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas)?
Priority Foundation (Pf): Supports Priority items. Failure to meet these facilitates food safety failures. This code has been cited 1374 times across 1,292 Florida FDACS-regulated facilities.
Which types of Florida food businesses receive citation 5-203.14?
FDACS inspects grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines. Citation 5-203.14 (Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas) has been cited at 1,292 such facilities across Florida, with 249 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.

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