How many health inspections has TACO EXPRESS had?

TACO EXPRESS has had 18 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has TACO EXPRESS ever been shut down?

No, TACO EXPRESS has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at TACO EXPRESS?

The most frequently cited violations at TACO EXPRESS are: Food contact surfaces, Proper hand/arm washing, Proper ventilation.

What does Florida violation V02 (Employee health policy) mean?

DISEASE TRANSMISSION: Without a written employee health policy, sick food workers transmit Norovirus (20 million US cases/year), Hepatitis A (causes liver failure), Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli O157:H7. CDC estimates 40% of restaurant outbreaks involve ill food workers. A single infected employee can contaminate food for thousands of customers. Maintain written employee health policy addressing: reporting of symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, sore throat with fever), diagnosed illnesses (Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli), exclusion and restriction criteria, and return-to-work requirements. Train all employees on policy at hiring and annually.

What does Florida violation V25 (Allergen awareness) mean?

ALLERGIC REACTIONS: Food allergies affect 32 million Americans. Allergic reactions cause 30,000 emergency room visits and 150-200 deaths annually in the US. Major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame) can cause anaphylaxis within minutes of exposure. Cross-contact with trace amounts can be fatal. Demonstrate allergen awareness: identify the major food allergens, prevent cross-contact during storage and preparation, accurately communicate ingredient information to customers, train all food handlers on allergen management. Use separate equipment for allergen-free preparation. Clean and sanitize surfaces between allergen and non-allergen food preparation.

TACO EXPRESS

500 N CHARLESTON AVENUE, Fort Meade, FL 33841

Polk County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: JOSE S MENDOZA CASTRO · License: SEA6307559

TACO EXPRESS in Fort Meade, FL has 18 inspections on record with 97 total violations (5.4 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

18Inspections

97Violations

0Closures

Data current as of November 14, 2024

Inspection History (18)

Nov 14, 2024 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V25 Allergen awareness

Jul 15, 2024 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Feb 2, 2024 — Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Sep 13, 2023 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Feb 24, 2023 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

Oct 24, 2022 — Routine - Food· 20 violations (4 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V09 No contamination

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

Apr 1, 2022 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V16 Proper cooking temps

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Aug 17, 2021 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V16 Proper cooking temps

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Mar 19, 2021 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 7, 2020 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V25 Allergen awareness

Apr 16, 2020 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Nov 18, 2019 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

Apr 23, 2019 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Jan 16, 2019 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Apr 25, 2018 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

Dec 22, 2017 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 13, 2017 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V06 Handwashing facilities

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Jan 9, 2017 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

How Does This Facility Compare?

TACO EXPRESS has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Polk County average of 0.11 closures per facility. It has averaged 5.4 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 1.93.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has TACO EXPRESS had?: TACO EXPRESS has had 18 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has TACO EXPRESS ever been shut down?: No, TACO EXPRESS has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at TACO EXPRESS?: The most frequently cited violations at TACO EXPRESS are: Food contact surfaces, Proper hand/arm washing, Proper ventilation.

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Editorial Standards & Data Oversight

Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.

Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.

Last verified: November 14, 2024 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with TACO EXPRESS.