How many health inspections has EL CANAL CAFE had?

EL CANAL CAFE has had 18 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has EL CANAL CAFE ever been shut down?

No, EL CANAL CAFE has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at EL CANAL CAFE?

The most frequently cited violations at EL CANAL CAFE are: Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils, Proper hand/arm washing.

What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?

TECHNIQUE FAILURE: Improper handwashing technique leaves pathogens on hands even when a handwashing attempt is made. Studies show 95% of people wash hands incorrectly — most don't scrub for 20 seconds or miss fingertips, thumbs, and between fingers. Incomplete washing creates a false sense of security while still transferring E. coli, Norovirus, and Salmonella to food. Correct technique requires: wet hands with clean warm water, apply soap, lather and scrub for 20+ seconds covering all surfaces including fingertips/nails/between fingers/back of hands, rinse thoroughly, dry with single-use towel. Use towel to turn off faucet. Do NOT use hand sanitizer as substitute for handwashing.

What does Florida violation V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?

CROSS-CONTAMINATION: Improperly cleaned food contact surfaces are a primary vehicle for bacterial transfer. Cutting boards can harbor 200x more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. Biofilms form on surfaces within 24 hours, protecting Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli from routine cleaning. One contaminated surface can transfer pathogens to dozens of food items throughout the day. Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: after each use, between different food types (especially raw meat to ready-to-eat), every 4 hours during continuous use, and when contaminated. Use proper sanitizer concentration: chlorine 50-100 ppm, quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm. Air dry — do not towel dry. Test sanitizer concentration every 2 hours.

What does Florida violation V21 (Time as control) mean?

TIME ABUSE: When time is used as a public health control (instead of temperature), food is allowed to remain in the temperature danger zone for a limited period. Without proper written procedures, documentation, and disposal protocols, food may be served after unsafe time periods. Bacteria reach dangerous levels after 4 hours at room temperature — causing Staphylococcal intoxication, Salmonellosis, and C. perfringens illness. If using time as a control: develop written procedures, mark food with discard time (4 hours from removal, or 6 hours if starting at 41°F and not exceeding 70°F), monitor and document. Food must be discarded at marked time — no exceptions. Staff must be trained on procedures. Time as control is NOT appropriate for all foods.

EL CANAL CAFE

8401 NW S RIVER DR, Medley, FL 33166

Miami-Dade County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: NGM LA CARIDAD CORP · License: SEA2300489

EL CANAL CAFE in Medley, FL has 18 inspections on record with 133 total violations (7.4 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

18Inspections

133Violations

0Closures

Data current as of February 13, 2025

Inspection History (18)

Feb 13, 2025 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

Sep 4, 2024 — Routine - Food· 10 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V06 Handwashing facilities

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V38 Waste properly disposed

Mar 25, 2024 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Sep 14, 2023 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Feb 7, 2023 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Jul 21, 2022 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

V42 Equipment condition

Jan 4, 2022 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Jul 6, 2021 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Mar 11, 2021 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jan 7, 2021 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Warning Issued

Sep 11, 2020 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 20, 2020 — Routine - Food· 8 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

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Oct 16, 2019 — Routine - Food· 18 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

May 30, 2019 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

V42 Equipment condition

Feb 11, 2019 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V42 Equipment condition

Feb 16, 2018 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Mar 2, 2017 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V21 Time as control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Sep 1, 2016 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

How Does This Facility Compare?

EL CANAL CAFE has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Miami-Dade County average of 0.08 closures per facility. It has averaged 7.4 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 4.07.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Nearby Establishments

LA COTORRA CAFE

1781 W 32 PLACE, Hialeah

25 inspections · 194 violations

Last inspected: Feb 19, 2025

CASIMIROS

8471 NW S RIVER DR, Medley Fl

19 inspections · 102 violations

Last inspected: Mar 20, 2025

NAPOLITANO RESTAURANT

8481 NW SOUTH RIVER DR, Miami

20 inspections · 125 violations

Last inspected: Jan 10, 2025

MEDLEY GRILL AND MORE

8581 NW SOUTH RIVER DR, Medley

20 inspections · 147 violations · 1 closures

Last inspected: Feb 13, 2025

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: February 13, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with EL CANAL CAFE.