How many inspections has Save a Lot in Palatka had?

Save a Lot in Palatka has 7 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.

What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Save a Lot in Palatka find?

Save a Lot in Palatka was most recently inspected by FDACS on August 5, 2025 (Focused Inspection).

Has Save a Lot in Palatka had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?

Yes, Save a Lot in Palatka has 7 stop-sale or stop-use enforcement action(s) on record with Florida FDACS. Most affected products were voluntarily destroyed.

Does Save a Lot in Palatka have any repeat violations?

Yes, Save a Lot in Palatka has had the following violations cited on multiple FDACS inspections: 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; 6-501.12: 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.

Save a Lot in Palatka

Name: Save a Lot in Palatka Inspection Records
Creator: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

3210 Crill Ave, Palatka, FL 32177

Putnam County · Supermarket · FDACS
Owner: Ascend Grocery LLC
FDACS Estab #: 193889

Overview

Save A Lot in Palatka received seven FDACS inspections between July 2022 and August 2025, with multiple stop-sale and stop-use orders documenting serious temperature control and equipment sanitation failures. On January 31, 2025, inspectors issued five stop-sale orders after discovering time/temperature control violations in raw chicken thighs, chicken salad, and deli turkey held at 43–47°F instead of the required 41°F or below; all products were voluntarily destroyed. That same day, a stop-use order was issued for unsanitary equipment. On January 14, 2025, a re-inspection found 14 violations including raw poultry stored over ground pork, raw bacon positioned above cooked ham in multiple locations, ground beef held at 43–45°F in the retail case, and chemical spray bottles stored directly over ready-to-eat food. Inspector observations documented knife handles with food debris buildup in the meat room and multiple instances of corrected-on-site violations. A February 17, 2025 follow-up inspection documented repair of a bunker cooler and released the stop-use order. The facility's 20 total violations across the record show a pattern of cold-holding temperature failures (recurring across three inspections) and cross-contamination issues. The two most recent inspections, on April 2 and August 5, 2025, reported zero violations and met sanitation requirements.

Summary generated from Florida FDACS public inspection records.

7FDACS Insp.

20Violations

7Stop-Sale Orders

Last inspected FDACS: August 5, 2025

Save a Lot in Palatka: FDACS Inspection History (7)

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 — 5 inspections

Aug 5, 2025 — Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: MARIA JOHNSON, OPS REGULATORY PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Comments: Conducted Routine Offsite Inspection. Lab results provided.

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

Apr 2, 2025 — Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements· Met Requirements

Inspector: GARRISON SWEAT, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: Request # 5129057 Initial Inspection The Minimum Construction Standards have been used in accordance with 500.12(2)(a) Florida Statutes by the food safety inspector to determine compliance before obtaining a food permit. Thank you for submitting your food establishment permit application. To complete the application process, you must remit payment in full. To expedite the processing of your food permit application, electronic online payment is available at https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov. Follow the instructions on the portal page for payment processing. Payment by check or money order is also accepted, but must be made payable to FDACS and remitted to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, PO Box 6720, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6720. Please note that payment by check or money order may delay the processing of your food permit application. Permit fees must be paid in full before your application can be processed further. Failure to pay any permit fees in full will result in the denial of your permit and you may be subject to administrative penalties if you are found operating without a valid food permit, which is a violation of Section 500.12(1)(a), Florida Statutes. If you are found to be in violation of this provision, the Department may impose up to a $5,000.00 fine against you and/or seek administrative action to close your business.

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

Feb 17, 2025 — Focused Inspection· 1 stop-sale order· Focused Inspection

Inspector: GARRISON SWEAT, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Person in charge: BILLY PERRY

Comments: Request #5126416 Check-Back release issued for Stop Use and/or Stop Sale Order. Bunker Cooler has been repaired.

Stop-Sale Orders & Supplemental Actions

STOP USE ORDER

Reason: FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used.

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

Disposition: Equipment was obtained, repaired or replaced, checked, and released.

Jan 31, 2025 — Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements· 5 violations· 6 stop-sale orders· Met Requirements

Inspector: PATRICK PACE, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

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

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

Meat room: Buildup of food debris on handles of knives stored in container on clean side of ware washing sink. COS: Items moved to soiled dish side, then cleaned.

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) PPRepeat

Retail: Multiple products (Raw chicken thighs, Chicken salad, Deli turkey) found with an internal temperature range of 43-47 degrees F. COS items voluntarily discarded by person in charge. Y x Repeat COS

Good Retail Practice Violations

4-501.11 Equipment not maintained in good repair or condition; equipment component not kept intact, tight, and adjusted in accordance with manufacturer's specifications; or cutting or piercing part of can opener not kept sharp to minimize the creation of metal fragments that can contaminate food when a container is opened. 4-501.11

Retail: Refrigerated bunker #4 not maintaining time/temperature controlled food at 41 degrees or below. Ambient reading of 46 Degrees F.

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

Meat room: Fan unit condensate collection system dripping onto floor.

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

Storeroom: Buildup of debris and standing water under mop sink area.

Stop-Sale Orders & Supplemental Actions

STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE

Reason: FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

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

STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE

Reason: FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

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

STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE

Reason: FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

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

STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE

Reason: FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

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

STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE

Reason: FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

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

STOP USE ORDER

Reason: FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used. Comments: To request a Food Safety Inspector visit for written release when corrections have been made for request release of equipment, contact the Business Center at (850) 245-5520 or [email protected]. Print Date: 1/31/2025 Page 3 of 4 When the department or its duly authorized agent finds, or has probable cause to believe, that any food or food-processing equipment is in violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter so as to be dangerous, unwholesome, fraudulent, or insanitary within the meaning of this chapter, an agent of the department may issue and enforce a stop-sale, stop-use, removal, or hold order, which order gives notice that such article or processing equipment is, or is suspected of being, in violation and has been detained or embargoed and which order warns all persons not to remove, use, or dispose of such article or processing equipment by sale or otherwise until permission for removal, use, or disposal is given by the department or the court. It is unlawful for any person to remove, use, or dispose of such detained or embargoed article or processing equipment by sale or otherwise without such permission in accordance with 500.172 (1) Florida Statutes. Release - Other The Food Establishment voluntarily agrees to release the products listed in the stop-sale order(s) on page(s) 1, 2, 3 for destruction. The Food Establishment will not hold the Department liable for any lost revenue or income as a result of the destruction. ___________________________________ Signature of Food Establishment Representative AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL ORDERS, NOTICES, AND REPORTS IN THIS SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT If you wish to contest the Department's action, you have the right to request an administrative hearing to be conducted in accordance with Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes and to be represented by counsel or other qualified representative. Your request for hearing must contain: 1. Your name, address, and telephone number, and facsimile number (if any). 2. The name, address, and telephone number, and facsimile number of your attorney or qualified representative (if any) upon whom service of pleadings and other papers shall be made. 3. A statement that you are requesting an administrative hearing and dispute the material facts alleged by the department, in which case you must identify the material facts that are in dispute (formal hearing), or that you request an administrative hearing and that you do not dispute the facts alleged by the department (informal hearing). 4. A statement of when (date) you received the Notice and the file number of this Notice. Your request for a hearing must be received at the address shown on this Notice within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this Notice. If you fail to obtain a Release from this Notice or fail to request an administrative hearing within the twenty-one (21) day deadline you waive your right to a hearing and the Department may enter a Final Order imposing up to the maximum penalties as authorized by Florida Law. HEARING WAIVER AND WAIVER OF RIGHTS Mevely Spell I, _____________________________________________________ the person in charge of SAVE A LOT hereby waive a notice and a hearing as provided in Chapter 120, Florida Statutes and waive all rights as provided on the last page of this report. ____________________________________________ (Signature) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I acknowledge receipt of a copy of this document. (Signature of FDACS Representative) (Signature of Representative) PATRICK PACE, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II MEVELY SPELL, ASST. MANAGER Print Name and Title FDACS-14325 Rev. 07/13 Print Date: 1/31/2025 Page 4 of 4

Lot: Number of Packages:

Quantity: Size of Packages: · Total Weight:

Jan 14, 2025 — Re-Inspection Required· 14 violations· Re-Inspection Required

Inspector: PATRICK PACE

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. Trainee present during inspection. All violations verified by primary inspector. Re-inspection visit required issued for food establishment. A re-inspection will be conducted on or about 14 days. Employee Health Guidelines and reporting agreement provided.

Risk-Based Violations

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: Ground turkey stored over ground pork. COS: Food employee rearranged and stored products correctly. Y 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

Retail: Raw bacon stored over cooked ham in multiple places. COS: Food employee rearranged and stored products correctly. Y x Print Date: 1/14/2025 Page 1 of 3 14 Pf Citation Description: Equipment food-contact surface or utensil not clean to sight and touch. 4-601.11(A) Pf Observation: Back Room: Build up of debris on knives in storage container on the clean dish side of the warewash sink.

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

Retail: Ground beef placed into retail for customer self service not cooled to 41 degrees F or below. Beef found with an internal temperature of 43 to 45 degrees F. COS: Team member moved item into walk in freezer until 41 degrees or below then placed into retail.

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 unable to answer questions about 6 major food borne illnesses. Y o

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

No documentation provided to prove that employees have been informed of their reporting responsibilities.

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

Retail: In the bacon open air case hot dogs found with an internal temperature of 43 degrees F. Unit was in defrost and only the top level of product was above 41 degrees F. Ambient Reading Of The Unit Was 39 degrees F. (COS) Top level of product placed in the walk in freezer to cool to 41 or below degrees F. Y x

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 PPRepeat

Storeroom: Multiple spray bottles of chemicals stored with or over ready to eat food. COS: Manager moved spray bottles to proper location.Retail: Chemicals stored over bags of salt pellets for water softener units. Y x Repeat COS Y o x

Good Retail Practice Violations

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 room: light shining through openings at the bottom area of the exit door and rolling door.

4-501.14 Warewashing equipment; sinks, basins or other receptacles used for washing or rinsing raw food or laundering wiping cloths; or drainboards or equipment used to substitute for drainboards not cleaned before use, throughout the day at a frequency necessary to prevent recontamination of equipment and utensils and ensure the equipment performs its intended function, and at least every 24 hours when used. 4-501.14

Warewash: Warewash sink has build up of debris on edges of sink.

4-601.11(C) Nonfood-contact surface of equipment has an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue or other debris. 4-601.11(C)

Meat Room: Shelf above prep table has build up of debris.Dairy Walk in cooler: Dunnage rack has build up of food debris.Retail: Spiral ham open air case has build up of debris.

5-203.14 Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas contaminant into the water supply system at each point of use, including on a hose bibb, by providing an air gap or installation of an approved backflow prevention device. 5-203.14 Pf

Back room: No backflow device installed after splitter on mop sink.

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

Mop sink area: Standing water and food debris on floor surrounding mop sink area. Freezer: Build up of ice in freezer under fans, floors, shelving and along door frame

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

Storeroom: Employee clothing stored on top of food meant for consumer consumption. (COS) Employee clothing stored appropriately during inspection.

99 The food establishment permit is not conspicuously displayed. 5K-4.020(2)(d) F.A.C.

Current Annual Food Permit not displayed. (COS) Permit printed and displayed during inspection.

2023 — 1 inspection

Aug 7, 2023 — Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: BONNIE KRONZ, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: Copy of 2023 Senate Bill 1676 Department Notice provided at time of visit.

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

2022 — 1 inspection

Jul 27, 2022 — Focused Inspection· 1 violation· Focused Inspection

Inspector: GARRISON SWEAT, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Person in charge: YOLANDA SOLOMON

Comments: The issues described in request 5082392 were addressed with the person in charge during this inspection. Trainee present during inspection. All violations verified by primary inspector.

Risk-Based Violations

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

Retail : Packages of "Swaggerty's" brand sausage has mold like substance on sausage patties. COS : Products voluntarily discarded. x

Save a Lot in Palatka: Stop-Sale & Stop-Use Orders (7)

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 Save a Lot in Palatka
Date	Order Type	Product	Brand/Lot	Reason
Feb 17, 2025	STOP USE ORDER	—	Number of Packages:	FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanabl…
Jan 31, 2025	STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE	—	Number of Packages:	FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.
Jan 31, 2025	STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE	—	Number of Packages:	FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.
Jan 31, 2025	STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE	—	Number of Packages:	FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.
Jan 31, 2025	STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE	—	Number of Packages:	FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.
Jan 31, 2025	STOP SALE ORDER AND RELEASE	—	Number of Packages:	FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Proper cold holding temperatures.
Jan 31, 2025	STOP USE ORDER	—	Number of Packages:	FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanabl…

Save a Lot in Palatka: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Save a Lot in Palatka last inspected?: Save a Lot in Palatka was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on August 5, 2025. Inspection type: Focused Inspection.
How many inspections has Save a Lot in Palatka had?: Save a Lot in Palatka has 7 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Save a Lot in Palatka find?: Save a Lot in Palatka was most recently inspected by FDACS on August 5, 2025 (Focused Inspection).
Has Save a Lot in Palatka had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?: Yes, Save a Lot in Palatka has 7 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 Save a Lot in Palatka?: The most frequently cited FDACS violations at Save a Lot in Palatka are: 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; 6-501.12: 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; 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.
Does Save a Lot in Palatka have any repeat violations?: Yes, Save a Lot in Palatka has had the following violations cited on multiple FDACS inspections: 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; 6-501.12: 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.