When was El Mercado in Fort Myers last inspected?

El Mercado in Fort Myers was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on January 21, 2026. Inspection type: Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements.

How many inspections has El Mercado in Fort Myers had?

El Mercado in Fort Myers has 2 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.

What did the most recent FDACS inspection of El Mercado in Fort Myers find?

El Mercado in Fort Myers was most recently inspected by FDACS on January 21, 2026 (Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements).

Has El Mercado in Fort Myers had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?

No, El Mercado in Fort Myers has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.

El Mercado in Fort Myers

Name: El Mercado in Fort Myers Inspection Records
Creator: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Last inspected: January 21, 2026

2275 Winkler Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Lee County · Grocery Store < 15,000 sq ft · FDACS
Owner: El Mercado INC
FDACS Estab #: 424617

Overview

El Mercado in Fort Myers had a sanitation inspection on January 21, 2026 that identified 11 violations, including multiple Priority Foundation issues. Old food debris was found on knives stored above the three-compartment sink in the meat area, along with soil on the wall—knives were washed, rinsed, and sanitized during the inspection. The person in charge did not correctly answer questions about food-borne illnesses and employee reporting responsibilities, and the establishment lacked written procedures for responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. Additionally, no probe thermometer was available for assessing temperature control of potentially hazardous foods, and sanitizer test strips were not present in the meat area—test strips were provided during the inspection. A focused inspection on November 25, 2024 documented 1 violation.

Summary generated from Florida FDACS public inspection records.

2FDACS Insp.

12Violations

Last inspected FDACS: January 21, 2026

El Mercado in Fort Myers: FDACS Inspection History (2)

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.

2026 — 1 inspection

Jan 21, 2026 — Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements· 11 violations· Met Requirements

Inspector: FRANCIS ODIO, SENIOR 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].

Risk-Based Violations

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

Meat Area: Old food debris was found on knives stored in knife holder above three-compartment sink, and old debris and soil were also present on the wall. COS: Knives were washed, rinsed, and sanitized during the inspection.

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

The person in charge did not correctly answer questions related to food-borne illnesses, symptoms, and employee reporting responsibilities. Employee health guide and reporting agreement provided via Email. o

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 establishment does not have a policy in place for proper response to vomit or diarrheal events. Guidance for Written Procedures for the Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events provided via Email.

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

Backroom: Hand wash sign not available at hand wash sink inside employee restroom. COS: A hand wash sign was provided and posted during the inspection.

5-203.11 At least one handwashing sink, or number of handwashing sinks necessary for their convenient use by employees, not provided in food preparation, food dispensing or warewashing area, or for a toilet room. 5-203.11 PfPf

Meat Area: Handwash sink not provided for open food processing/packaging. COS: Handwash sink with hot and cold running water under pressure was installed and verified during the inspection.

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

No probe thermometer is available for assessing, receiving, and holding temperature control for safety (TCS) foods.

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

Meat Area: Multiple raw meat cases were stored directly on the walk-in cooler floor.

3-304.14(B) Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces not held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a proper concentration as specified in the Food Code. 3-304.14(B) (1)

Meat Area: Multiple wet wiping cloths found on preparation tables and shelves throughout the processing area were not held in sanitizer between uses. COS: Wet wiping cloths were removed during the inspection.

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 Area: Sanitizer test strips not available. COS: Chlorine sanitizer test strips were provided during inspection.

6-202.14 Toilet room located inside the food establishment not completely enclosed or not provided with a tight-fitting self-closing door. 6-202.14

Backroom: The employee restroom door was not self-closing.

5-501.11 Receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables not kept covered with tight-fitting lids or doors when located outdoors; or indoor receptacles that contain food not kept covered when not in continuous use or after they are filled. 5-501.113

Outdoor: Dumpster not covered with lid at time of visit.

2024 — 1 inspection

Nov 25, 2024 — Focused Inspection· 1 violation· Focused Inspection

Inspector: CARL HOLZWORTH, SENIOR 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. New Food Establishment El Mercado Pictures 112524 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. The Minimum Construction Standards checklist has been used in accordance with 500.12(2)(a) Florida Statutes by the food safety inspector to determine compliance before obtaining a food permit.

Risk-Based Violations

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 Manager Certificate,

El Mercado in Fort Myers: Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Mercado in Fort Myers last inspected?: El Mercado in Fort Myers was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on January 21, 2026. Inspection type: Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements.
How many inspections has El Mercado in Fort Myers had?: El Mercado in Fort Myers has 2 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
What did the most recent FDACS inspection of El Mercado in Fort Myers find?: El Mercado in Fort Myers was most recently inspected by FDACS on January 21, 2026 (Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements).
Has El Mercado in Fort Myers had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?: No, El Mercado in Fort Myers has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.
What are the most common violations at El Mercado in Fort Myers?: The most frequently cited FDACS violations at El Mercado in Fort Myers are: 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) Pf; 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; 5-203.11: At least one handwashing sink, or number of handwashing sinks necessary for their convenient use by employees, not provided in food preparation, food dispensing or warewashing area, or for a toilet room. 5-203.11 Pf.