How many inspections has Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade had?

Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade has 5 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.

What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade find?

Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade was most recently inspected by FDACS on June 30, 2025 (Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements).

Has Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?

Yes, Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade has 1 stop-sale or stop-use enforcement action(s) on record with Florida FDACS. Most affected products were voluntarily destroyed.

Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade

Name: Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade Inspection Records
Creator: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

3595 Us Highway 98 E, Fort Meade, FL 33841

Polk County · Grocery Store < 15,000 sq ft · FDACS
Owner: S&d of Orlando LLC
FDACS Estab #: 389193

Overview

Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade, FL has 5 FDACS food safety inspections on record with 40 violations and 1 stop-sale or stop-use enforcement action.

5FDACS Insp.

40Violations

1Stop-Sale Orders

Last inspected FDACS: June 30, 2025

Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade: FDACS Inspection History (5)

Inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), which oversees grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines.

2025 — 1 inspection

Jun 30, 2025 — Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements· 12 violations· 1 stop-sale order· Met Requirements

Inspector: TAMMY FLANNERY, SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST

Comments: When citations have been corrected and initialed, an electronic copy of the completed report may be emailed to [email protected]. Please note each observation that has been corrected. Request# 5134570. Food entity owner requested to add hemp extract/CBD And Kratom for retail sale to their food permit. I have changed both designation in the entity's details to "yes" to allow for both to be sold in the store. The most up to date hemp extract letter, rules and regulations along with Kratom regulations were provided to the food entity owner. Payments can be made online at https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov or can be mailed to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 6720, Tallahassee FL 32314-6720. Checks and money orders are to be payable to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. All payments must include the Food Establishment number and reason of payment type in the memo section of the check or money order. Routine food safety inspection also conducted today. No hemp extract/CBD or Kratom products available in the store during this visit.

Risk-Based Violations

2-102.11(C)(2)-(3) Person in charge does not correctly respond to questions that relate to preventing transmission of foodborne disease by a food employee who has a disease or medical condition that may cause foodborne disease, can not describe symptoms associated with diseases that are transmissible through food, or can not explain how to comply with reporting responsibilities and exclusion or restriction of food employees. 2-102.11(C)(2)-(3) and (17) PfPf

Person in charge had some knowledge of employee health information, but did not have any employee health information available to help them answer questions about employee health as it relates to food borne illnesses and their symptoms, and reporting responsibilities, exclusions and restrictions of food employees. Employee health policy guidance for development of a policy was given to the entity.

2-501.11 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 PfPf

The food establishment does not have a written vomit or diarrhea event clean up procedure available. A guidance handout was given to the food establishment's management to help them write up step by step procedures for vomit and/or diarrhea event clean up.

7-301.11 Poisonous or toxic materials for retail sale not stored or displayed to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles by separating the poisonous or toxic materials by spacing or partitioning, or locating the poisonous or toxic materials in an area that is not above food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles. 7-301.11 PP

Retail area- various toxic personal care and cleaning chemicals stored on display shelves with and above single use articles. COS- person in charge moved the single use articles and properly displayed them on shelves away from chemicals.

6-301.14 Sign or poster notifying food employees to wash their hands not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees, or handwashing signage not clearly visible to food employees. 6-301.14

Food service area- no hand washing sign posted at the hand wash sink. A sign was provided via email to the food entity to be placed near the sink.

6-301.11 Handwashing sink or group of 2 adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with: individual, disposable towels; continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; a heated-air hand drying device; or a device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures. 6-301.11 and 6-301.12 PfPf

Food service area- no soap or paper towels provided at the hand wash sink. COS- soap and paper towels provided by person in charge at the sink. Back area- no paper towels provided at the hand wash sink in the restroom. COS- paper towels provided in the restroom by person in charge.

3-201.11(C) Packaged food not labeled from the source as specified in law, including 21 CFR 101, 9 CFR 317, and 9 CFR 381. 3-201.11(C) PfPf

Retail area- packages of frozen chocolate covered bananas are not labeled for individual retail sale and also not completely sealed by the manufacturer in the freezer chest unit. COS- person in charge removed the frozen chocolate covered bananas from retail sale and voluntarily discarded them.

95 Establishment does not have a certified food protection manager who has passed a test through a recognized accredited program. 5K-4.021(1), F.A.C.Repeat

No certified food protection manager certificate available for inspector review.

Good Retail Practice Violations

4-302.12 Food temperature measuring device not provided or not readily accessible for use in ensuring food temperatures are attained and maintained; or food temperature measuring device with a suitable small-diameter probe not provided or not readily accessible to accurately measure the temperature in thin foods. 4-302.12 Pf

Food service area- No metal stem food probe thermometer available to check internal food temperatures with.

6-202.15 Outer opening not protected against the entry of insects and rodents by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls, and ceilings; closed, tight-fitting windows; and solid, self-closing, tight-fitting doors. Windows or doors kept open for ventilation or other purposes not protected against the entry of insects and rodents by 16 mesh to 1 inch screens; properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects; or other effective means. 6-202.15

Back area- holes going through the storage building to the outside are not sealed to prevent possible pest entry.

5-501.17 Toilet room used by females not provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins. 5-501.17

Back area- no covered waste receptacle provided in the restroom.

6-501.11 Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11

Back area- walls and some ceiling tiles are damaged throughout the back areas.

6-501.12 Physical facilities not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean, or cleaning not done during periods when the least amount of food is exposed such as after closing. 6-501.12

Back area- excess trash and dirt buildup on the floors throughout the back storage rooms and walk in cooler.

Stop-Sale Orders & Supplemental Actions

STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE

Reason: FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Approved Source: Food obtained from approved source.

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

Disposition: Product was voluntarily destroyed by food establishment management and witnessed by inspector.

2024 — 1 inspection

Oct 23, 2024 — Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: BRIANA ALBRITTON

Comments: Visit conducted in response to Hurricane Milton follow-up.

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

2023 — 2 inspections

Oct 18, 2023 — Met Inspection Requirements· 16 violations· Met Requirements

Inspector: TAMMY FLANNERY, SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST

Comments: When citations have been corrected and initialed, an electronic copy of the completed report may be emailed to [email protected]. Please note each observation that has been corrected.

Risk-Based Violations

7-201.11 Poisonous or toxic materials not stored to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles by separating the poisonous or toxic material by spacing or partitioning, or locating the poisonous or toxic material in an area that is not above food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles. 7-201.11 PP

Back area- various cleaning chemicals stored on the same shelves with packages of single use articles in the small storage room behind the food service area. COS- person in charge moved the chemicals down to the floor in the room. x

5-202.12(A) Handwashing sink not equipped to provide hot water at a temperature of at least 100°F through a mixing valve or combination faucet. 5-202.12(A) PfPf

Food service area- no hot or cold water available at the hand wash sink, water was turned off at the valves below the sink. Person in charge stated that the sink was off during a plumbing repair issue and was not turned back on afterwards. COS- person in charge turned the hot and cold water back at the hand wash sink.

Deli area- no paper towels provided at the hand wash sink. COS- person in charge provided paper towels at the sink.

5-205.11 Handwashing sink not maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use or is used for purposes other than handwashing, or an automatic handwashing facility not used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. 5-205.11 PfPf

Deli area- access to hand wash sink was blocked by large trash can in front of the sink. COS- person in charge moved the trash can away from the hand wash sink.

95 Establishment does not have a certified food protection manager who has passed a test through a recognized accredited program. 5K-4.021(1), F.A.C.

No certified food protection manager certificate available for inspector review.

Good Retail Practice Violations

6-202.16 Perimeter walls and roofs not effective in protecting the establishment from the weather or the entry of insects, rodents, or other animals. 6-202.16

Outside area- tree branches hanging over and touching the roof of the building.

Outside area- gap around waste drainage pipe for ware wash sink going through the wall is not sealed in the processing and ware washing and dry storage building, not currently being used for processing or ware washing.

4-803.11 Soiled linens not kept in clean, nonabsorbent receptacles or clean, washable laundry bags or not stored and transported to prevent contamination of food, clean equipment, clean utensils, or single-service and single-use articles. 4-803.11

Deli area- soiled linens stored on the 3 compartment sink.

4-202.16 Nonfood-contact surfaces not free of unnecessary ledges, projections, and crevices or not designed and constructed to allow easy cleaning and to facilitate maintenance. 4-202.16

Back area- plastic inverted milk and cola crates being used storage shelving units in the walk in cooler.

4-602.13 Nonfood-contact surface of equipment not cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residue. 4-602.13

Deli area- heavy food grease buildup on exterior and interior non-food contact surfaces of food equipment such as the fryer units, stove and commercial baking ovens.

4-601.11(B) Food-contact surface of cooking equipment or pan is encrusted with grease deposits or other soil accumulation. 4-601.11(B)

Deli area- many grease laden and heavily encrusted burnt food residue on cooking pans and baking sheets stored on the storage shelving units.

5-205.15(B) Plumbing system not maintained in good repair. 5-205.15(B)

Food service area- waste drain plumbing under the hand wash sink inside the storage cabinet is leaking onto the shelf below the pipe. Meat area- hand wash sink's faucet unit is leaking. Deli area- faucet unit on the 3 compartment sink is leaking.

6-501.11 Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11

Back area- walls and ceiling damaged, holes and insulation exposed on some walls in the dry storage areas. Deli area- floor tiles damaged in several places. Outside area- rain guttering spout attached to building in the back is damaged with holes from corrosion.

6-501.12 Physical facilities not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean, or cleaning not done during periods when the least amount of food is exposed such as after closing. 6-501.12

Back area- excessive cobwebs on the ceilings and walls in the back dry storage and receiving areas and trash and dirt buildup on the floors in the back storage and receiving areas and walk in cooler for drinks. Deli area- yellowed, stained ceiling tiles , one ceiling tile has insulation fiber material stuck to it located near the ware wash sink and processing area and grease laden food residue buildup on the walls and old food and/or grease and dirt buildup the floor along the wall behind the cooking equipment. Ice buildup on the ceiling, door frame and floor in the walk in freezer unit.

6-501.11 Premises not free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer used. 6-501.114

Back area- unnecessary articles and unused, non working equipment stored in the storage areas.

6-501.11 Dressing rooms not used by employees who regularly change their clothes in the establishment, or lockers or other suitable facilities not used for the orderly storage of employee clothing or other possessions. 6-501.110

Deli area- personal articles stored in the processing and ware washing area on food prep tables and equipment.

Jun 6, 2023 — Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: TAMMY FLANNERY, SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST

Comments: Focused Inspection - Sample Collection.

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

2022 — 1 inspection

Jul 7, 2022 — Met Inspection Requirements· 12 violations· Met Requirements

Inspector: BRIANA ALBRITTON, SENIOR SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST

Comments: Food Establishment manufactures, processes, packs, holds, prepares or sells products intended for human consumption that contain hemp, hemp extract, CBD or other cannabinoids. The issues described in Request #5081223 were addressed with the person in charge during this inspection.

Risk-Based Violations

3-101.11 Food not safe, or is adulterated. 3-101.11 PP

Meat department- green mold-like residue in bag of shredded cheese in walk in cooler. COS- bag of shredded cheese was voluntarily discarded during the visit. Retail area- package of raw bacon displayed in meat display cooler was discolored. COS- raw bacon was voluntarily discarded during the visit. x

3-302.11(A)(1) Raw animal food not separated during storage, preparation, holding or display from ready-to-eat raw animal food, other raw ready-to-eat food, cooked ready-to-eat food, or fruits and vegetables before they are washed. 3-302.11(A)(1) PP

Kitchen area- raw shell eggs and raw bacon stored over margarine in reach in cooler. COS- margarine was moved to an acceptable location during the visit. x

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

Kitchen area- food residue buildup on food contact surfaces of can opener. COS- can opener was cleaned during the visit. x Print Date: 7/7/2022 Page 1 of 4 14 Citation Description: Food-contact surface of cooking or baking equipment not cleaned at least every 24 hours, or cavity or door seals of microwave oven not cleaned at least every 24 hours by using the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedure. 4-602.12 Observation: Retail area- residue buildup on inside cavity of microwave. o

3-501.16(A)(1) 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. 3-501.16(A)(1) PP

Kitchen area- pork ribs, fries, beef stir fry, fried mushrooms, and white rice displayed in the hot case for less than 2 hours had internal probe temperatures of 98-131 degrees F. COS- pork ribs, fries, beef stir fry, and fried mushrooms were reheated to 165 degrees F or above during the visit. White rice was voluntarily discarded during the visit. All temperatures were taken with a calibrated thermometer. The temperature of the hot case was raised during the visit. x

3-501.18 Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food that requires date marking not discarded when it exceeds the 7-day limit, except time that the product is frozen, or does not bear a date mark and the correct date mark cannot be determined. 3-501.18 PP

Kitchen area- prepared vanilla pudding stored in reach in cooler since 05/03/2022. COS- vanilla pudding was voluntarily discarded during the visit. x

Outdoor cooking area- handwashing sign not provided at handwashing sink. COS- handwashing sign handout provided to establishment during the visit. x

Outdoor cooking area- handwashing soap and paper towels not provided at handwashing sink. COShandwashing soap and paper towels provided at handwashing sink during the visit. x

95 Establishment does not have a certified food protection manager who has passed a test through a recognized accredited program. 5K-4.021(1), F.A.C.

Certified food protection manager certification not provided. Certified food protection manager certification handout provided to establishment during the visit. o

Good Retail Practice Violations

3-305.11 Food not stored at least 6 inches above the floor; in a clean, dry location; or food stored where it is exposed to splash, dust or other contamination. 3-305.11

Kitchen area- boxes of frozen food stored on floor of walk in freezer. COS- boxes of frozen food were removed from the floor during the visit. x

4-302.14 Test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration in MG/L of sanitizing solution not provided. 4-302.14 Pf

Meat department- chlorine sanitizer test kit not provided. Recommended person in charge obtain a chlorine sanitizer test kit during the visit. o

6-501.18 Plumbing fixtures including but not limited to handwashing sinks, toilets and urinals not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. 6-501.18

Outdoor cooking area- heavy residue buildup in handwashing sink. COS- handwashing sink was cleaned during the visit. x

6-501.11 Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11

Ceiling tiles stained throughout establishment. o

Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade: Stop-Sale & Stop-Use Orders (1)

Products placed under stop-sale or stop-use order by FDACS inspectors. Stop-sale orders prohibit the sale of food that is adulterated, mislabeled, or poses a health risk.

FDACS stop-sale and stop-use orders for Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade
Date	Order Type	Product	Brand/Lot	Reason
Jun 30, 2025	STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE	—	Number of Packages:	FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Approved Source: Food obtained from approved source.

Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade last inspected?: Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on June 30, 2025. Inspection type: Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements.
How many inspections has Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade had?: Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade has 5 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade find?: Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade was most recently inspected by FDACS on June 30, 2025 (Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements).
Has Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?: Yes, Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade has 1 stop-sale or stop-use enforcement action(s) on record with Florida FDACS. Most affected products were voluntarily destroyed.
What are the most common violations at Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade?: The most frequently cited FDACS violations at Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade are: 6-501.11: Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11; 6-301.11: Handwashing sink or group of 2 adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with: individual, disposable towels; continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; a heated-air hand drying device; or a device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures. 6-301.11 and 6-301.12 Pf; 6-202.15: Outer opening not protected against the entry of insects and rodents by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls, and ceilings; closed, tight-fitting windows; and solid, self-closing, tight-fitting doors. Windows or doors kept open for ventilation or other purposes not protected against the entry of insects and rodents by 16 mesh to 1 inch screens; properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects; or other effective means. 6-202.15.
Does Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade have any repeat violations?: Yes, Fowler's Grocery in Fort Meade has had the following violations cited on multiple FDACS inspections: 6-501.11: Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11; 6-301.11: Handwashing sink or group of 2 adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with: individual, disposable towels; continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; a heated-air hand drying device; or a device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures. 6-301.11 and 6-301.12 Pf; 6-202.15: Outer opening not protected against the entry of insects and rodents by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls, and ceilings; closed, tight-fitting windows; and solid, self-closing, tight-fitting doors. Windows or doors kept open for ventilation or other purposes not protected against the entry of insects and rodents by 16 mesh to 1 inch screens; properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects; or other effective means. 6-202.15.