Tropical Supermarket # in Homestead
Last inspected:
28945 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033Tropical Supermarket #0003 in Homestead received a stop-use order on December 12, 2022 for a small walk-in cooler in the produce department after inspectors found it in disrepair with an ambient temperature of 42.4°F. The cooler remained non-operational and non-compliant through subsequent inspections in January and July 2023, with temperatures consistently measured between 43.7°F and 45.1°F, well above the required 41°F maximum for cold-held foods. During a December 29, 2022 inspection, inspectors documented multiple high-priority violations including raw chicken stored above raw pork in the meat cooler, raw shell eggs stored above ready-to-eat potato salad in a walk-in cooler, employees wearing single-use gloves across multiple tasks without changing them, chicken cooked to only 140–160°F instead of the required 165°F minimum, and pork shoulder held at 75–99°F without proper cooling. A January 12, 2023 follow-up inspection found bean sprouts still stored inside the non-compliant produce cooler in violation of the active stop-use order, with the cooler temperature again measured at 43.7–45.1°F. Management voluntarily discarded the bean sprouts and undercooked ham during that inspection. A final focused inspection on July 17, 2023 documented sample collection with no new violations; however, the original stop-use order for the produce cooler remained in effect at that time.
Summary generated from Florida FDACS public inspection records.
Tropical Supermarket # in Homestead: FDACS Inspection History (4)
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.
— 3 inspections
— Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection
Comments: Focused Inspection - Sample Collection.
Trainee present during inspection. All violations verified by primary inspector.
The original Stop-Use Order issued on 12/12/22 for small walk-in cooler located in produce department remains in effect. Food
establishment can visit https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov or contact the Business Center at (850)245-5520 when corrections have been
made and/or when required documents have been obtained to request food safety inspector visit for written release of equipment.
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
— Met Inspection Requirements· 5 violations· Met Requirements
Comments: Trainee present during inspection. All violations verified by primary inspector.
The original Stop-Use Order issued on 12/12/22 for small walk-in cooler located in produce department remains in effect. Walk-in
cooler was not fixed and had an ambient temperature between 43.7-45.1*. Food establishment can visit https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov
or contact the Business Center at (850)245-5520 when corrections have been made and/or when required documents have been
obtained to request food safety inspector visit for written release of equipment.
No temperature dependent food items may be placed in the small produce walk-in cooler until released by an inspector.
Visit conducted to verify compliance of food safety citations observed during previous inspection.
Risk-Based Violations
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
Meat- Raw pork found stored over ready-to-eat pork ham inside walk-in cooler. COS, ready-to-eat
ham was moved to an appropriate location during inspection.
x
3-501.16(A)(2)
Cold held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 41°F or below.
3-501.16(A)(2) PP
Produce- Bean sprouts stored inside walk-in cooler measured 45.2*F. COS, food item was voluntarily
discarded by management during inspection.
x
Good Retail Practice Violations
6-501.11
Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11
Kitchen, Food Service, Backroom, Produce, Meat, Meat Processing, Deli- Water stained and
damaged ceiling tiles throughout all processing areas.
o
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
Backroom- Large amount of ice encrusted on the floor inside the walk-in freezer.
o
96
Stop Sale/Stop Use Order was broken. 500.174(1) F.S. P
Produce- Bean sprouts found stored inside the produce walk-in cooler. The original stop-use order for
this walk-in cooler was issued on 12/12/22. The walk-in cooler was originally placed under a stop-use order due to
being in disrepair with an ambient temperature 42.4*F, and today had an ambient temperature between 43.7-45.1*F.
No released has been issued.
o
Print Date: 1/12/2023
Page 1 of 3
— Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection
Comments: This Focused Inspection is being conducted offsite to document a verbal conversation to help assist the food establishment with
compliance of recent food safety observations and continuing issues.
No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.
— 1 inspection
— Re-Inspection Required· 20 violations· Re-Inspection Required
Comments: Cooling Foods document, Cooking and Holding Foods document, Employee Heath documents, Guidance for written procedures for
the clean up of vomiting and diarrheal events document provided.
Trainee present during inspection. All violations verified by primary inspector.
Stop Use Order issued on 12/12/22 for walk in cooler is still in effect. Food establishment can visit https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov or
contact the Business Center at (850) 245-5520
Risk-Based Violations
2-103.11(A)-(N)
A pattern of non-compliance is demonstrated with regard to the duties of the person in charge.
2-103.11(A)-(N) and (P) PfPf
Person in charge does not ensure active managerial control as evidenced by violations noted on
today's inspection report: hand washing; cold holding temperatures; hot holding temperatures; cooking temperatures;
cooling temperatures; written procedures; consumer advisory.
o
3-302.11(A)(2)
Different types of raw animal foods not separated from each other during storage, preparation,
holding or display by using separate equipment, arranging food in equipment so that cross contamination is
prevented, or preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas. 3-302.11(A)(2) PP
Retail- Raw chicken tray stored above raw pork in the meat retail cooler. COS, chicken was moved to
an appropriate location in cooler.
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- Raw shell eggs stored above potato salad in the walk-in cooler. COS, raw shell eggs were
moved to an appropriate location in walk-in cooler.
x
3-304.15(A)
Single-use gloves not used for only one task, used for another purpose, or not discarded
when damaged or soiled or when interruptions occur in the operation. 3-304.15(A) PP
Kitchen- Food employee wearing single-use gloves to wash and handle unclean equipment/utensils
then handled clean utensils without changing gloves. Meat Processing- Food employee observed entering
processing area and open a package of raw pork without first washing their hands or changing gloves. COS, food
employees discarded their gloves, washed their hands, and donned new gloves.
x
4-601.11(A)
Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch. 4-601.11(A) PfPf
Meat processing- Old food residue encrusted on the band saw interior housing and fat/meat on the
meat grinder auger. COS, equipment was washed, rinsed, and sanitized. Meat- Old food residue encrusted in
between meat tenderizer blades. COS, equipment was washed, rinsed, and sanitized.
x
3-401.11(A)(3)
Raw poultry; baluts; wild game animals; stuffed fish, meat, pasta, poultry, ratites; or stuffing
containing raw fish, meat, poultry or ratites not cooked to heat all parts to 165°F instantaneously. 3-401.11(A)(3) PP
Kitchen- Chicken was removed from stove as ready, was measured at 140-160*F with calibrated
probe thermometer. COS, Chicken was cooked to 165*F and above.
x
3-501.14(A)
Cooked time/temperature control for safety food not cooled within 2 hours from 135°F to 70°F,
or within a total of 6 hours from 135°F to 41°F or less. 3-501.14(A) PP
Kitchen- Multiple pieces of pork shoulder stored on rolling cart in kitchen were probed with a calibrated
thermometer and found at 75*F-99*F and not cooled to 70*F or below after two hours of cooling. COS, all pieces of
pork shoulder were voluntarily discarded by management.
x
3-501.14(B)
Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature
not cooled within 4 hours to 41°F or less. 3-501.14(B) PP
Food Service- cut tomato salad was probed with a calibrated thermometer and found at 54*F and not
cooled to 41*F or below after four hours of cooling. COS, cut tomato salad was voluntarily discarded by
management. Retail- tenderize beef steak was probed with a calibrated thermometer and found at 43.7*F and not
cooled to 41*F or below before being placed for retail sale. COS, food was cooled down to 41*F or below during
inspection.
x
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
Food Service- Multiple food items found out of temperature when measure with a calibrated
thermometer at the steam table: fried pork belly with meat 96*F-117*F, fried chicken 100*F-106*F, plantains
85*F-123*F, yuca 110*F-124*F, chicken soup 122*F-130*F, roasted chicken 100*F-122*F, shredded pork
108*F-110*F and shrimp pasta 120*F-125*F. COS, pork belly with meat, fried chicken, plantains and yuca were
voluntarily discarded by manager. Chicken soup, roasted chicken, shredded pork and shrimp pasta were reheated
over 165*F during inspection.
x
2-103.11(O)
Person in charge does not ensure food employees and conditional employees are informed in
a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities
as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. 2-103.11(O) PfPf
Food employees not informed of responsibility to report food borne illnesses and symptoms.
o
2-102.11(C)
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 did not respond correctly to questions related to food borne illnesses.
o
3-501.16(A)(2)
Cold held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 41°F or below.
3-501.16(A)(2) PP
Food Service- Multiple food items placed on the holding unit next to the steam table found out of
temperature when measure with a calibrated thermometer: potato salad 52*F, potato salad with beets 48*F-50*F.
COS, food was voluntarily discarded by manager.
x
Print Date: 12/29/2022
Page 2 of 5
23
Pf
Citation Description: Disclosure for animal food that is raw, undercooked, or not otherwise processed to eliminate
pathogens and served or sold in a ready-to-eat form or as an ingredient in another ready-to-eat food does not include
a description of the animal-derived food or identification of the animal-derived food by asterisking it to a footnote that
states that the items are served raw or undercooked, or contain (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients.
3-603.11(B) Pf
Observation: Food Service- No disclosure of food items cooked to order (eggs) posted where customers order,even
though the consumer reminder is posted at the steam table.
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
Food establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to
anevent involving the discharge of vomitus/diarrhea. Guidance for written procedures for the clean up of vomiting and
diarrheal events document provided.
o
2-401.11
Employee eating, drinking or using tobacco where exposed food, clean equipment, utensils,
and linens, unwrapped single service and single use articles or other items could become contaminated. 2-401.11
Kitchen-Employee personal water bottle found on the preparation table. COS, employee remove bottle
of water to proper location.
x
Print Date: 12/29/2022
Page 1 of 5
6
P
Citation Description: Food employee not cleaning hands, exposed portions of arms or prosthetic devices for at
least 20 seconds or not using the following cleaning procedures: rinse under warm water, apply soap, rub together
for 10-15 seconds, rinse under warm water, and thoroughly dry with paper towels or a hand drying device. 2-301.12 P
Observation: Meat Processing, Kitchen - Food employees did not wash hands between entering and exiting the
food preparation area, handling clean utensils after having touched unclean garbage can, and prior to donning gloves
to handle food and clean equipment. Proper hand washing procedures were discussed with management.
o
Good Retail Practice Violations
4-903.11(C)
Single-service or single-use articles not kept in the original protective package or not stored by
using other means that afford protection from contamination until used. 4-903.11(C)
Meat Processing - Single-service trays, not kept in the original protective packaging, found with old
food residues. COS, all single-service items were voluntarily discarded by management.
x
4-601.11(C)
Nonfood-contact surface of equipment has an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue or other
debris. 4-601.11(C)
Produce, Meat Processing - Pink, green, and black mold-like grime encrusted on all plastic curtains
installed inside each area's walk-in cooler.
o
5-202.13
Air gap between the water supply inlet and the flood rim level of the plumbing fixture or
equipment is not at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet or one inch, whichever is greater; or no air gap
present between the water supply inlet and the flood rim level of the plumbing fixture or equipment. 5-202.13 P
Meat Processing - Sanitizer and detergent dispensing tubes attached to wall system were found inside
the basin of the wash and rinse compartments of the ware wash sink, below the rim level of each compartment.
COS, tubes were cut so they no longer lie inside the compartments.
x
5-501.17
Toilet room used by females not provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
5-501.17
Retail- No covered trash can available in the female employee/customer restroom.
o
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
Backroom- Large amount of ice encrusted on the floor and walls in the both walk-in freezer in
bothwalk-in freezer.
o
6-501.11
Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11
Kitchen, Food Service, Backroom, Produce, Meat Processing, Meat, Deli, Meat ProduceWaterstained ceiling tiles and damaged walls with large holes present throughout all processing areas.
o
Tropical Supermarket # in Homestead: Frequently Asked Questions
- When was Tropical Supermarket # in Homestead last inspected?
- Tropical Supermarket # 0003 in Homestead was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on July 17, 2023. Inspection type: Focused Inspection.
- How many inspections has Tropical Supermarket # in Homestead had?
- Tropical Supermarket # 0003 in Homestead has 4 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
- What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Tropical Supermarket # in Homestead find?
- Tropical Supermarket # 0003 in Homestead was most recently inspected by FDACS on July 17, 2023 (Focused Inspection).
- Has Tropical Supermarket # in Homestead had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?
- No, Tropical Supermarket # 0003 in Homestead has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.
- What are the most common violations at Tropical Supermarket # in Homestead?
- The most frequently cited FDACS violations at Tropical Supermarket # 0003 in Homestead are: 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) P; 3-501.16(A)(2): Cold held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 41°F or below. 3-501.16(A)(2) P; 6-501.11: Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11.
- Does Tropical Supermarket # in Homestead have any repeat violations?
- Yes, Tropical Supermarket # 0003 in Homestead has had the following violations cited on multiple FDACS inspections: 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) P; 3-501.16(A)(2): Cold held time/temperature control for safety food not maintained at 41°F or below. 3-501.16(A)(2) P; 6-501.11: Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11.
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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.
Disclaimer: All data reflects official state records at time of publication. Facilities may have since corrected cited violations, resolved enforcement actions, or changed ownership.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Tropical Supermarket # 0003. How we collect and verify this data.