How many health inspections has SPECIAL PHO had?

SPECIAL PHO has had 33 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has SPECIAL PHO ever been shut down?

Yes, SPECIAL PHO has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at SPECIAL PHO?

The most frequently cited violations at SPECIAL PHO are: Food contact surfaces, Consumer advisory, Employee health reporting.

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 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 V10 (Approved food source) mean?

UNSAFE FOOD SOURCE: Food from unapproved sources bypasses USDA/FDA safety inspections, potentially harboring Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, parasites, or chemical contaminants. Uninspected meat may contain antibiotics, hormones, or prions (mad cow disease). Home-canned foods risk deadly Clostridium botulinum toxin. Wild-harvested shellfish may contain paralytic toxins. All food must come from approved, inspected sources. Maintain supplier documentation and invoices. Shellfish must have proper tags retained for 90 days. No home-prepared, home-canned, or uninspected foods. Wild game must be commercially processed. Verify supplier licenses and inspection status.

SPECIAL PHO

1390 34 ST N, Saint Petersburg, FL 33713

Pinellas County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: SPECIAL PHO LLC · License: SEA6214727

SPECIAL PHO in Saint Petersburg, FL has 33 inspections on record with 297 total violations (9 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

33Inspections

297Violations

1Closures

Data current as of January 23, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for SPECIAL PHO
Date	Reason	Reopened
Dec 6, 2023	Rodent activity	16:54:00

Inspection History (33)

Jan 23, 2025 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 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

V16 Proper cooking temps

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Jul 24, 2024 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Mar 6, 2024 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Feb 28, 2024 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

Feb 15, 2024 — Routine - Food· 17 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Dec 6, 2023 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Dec 6, 2023 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Jun 28, 2023 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V23 Chemical properly stored

Jul 20, 2022 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V32 Proper sanitizing

Jul 18, 2022 — Routine - Food· 29 violations (9 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V09 No contamination

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Mar 31, 2022 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Jan 7, 2022 — Routine - Food· 9 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 8, 2021 — Routine - Food· 21 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jun 7, 2021 — Routine - Food· 22 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V41 Toilet facilities

Oct 27, 2020 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Aug 24, 2020 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 26, 2019 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jun 18, 2019 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 12, 2019 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 11, 2019 — Routine - Food· 18 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Jun 11, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Admin. Complaint Callback Not Complied

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

Mar 13, 2019 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jan 9, 2019 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V47 Wall/ceiling maintenance

Jan 3, 2019 — Routine - Food· 18 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V47 Wall/ceiling maintenance

Aug 20, 2018 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 20, 2018 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 19, 2018 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 18, 2018 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Jan 23, 2018 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V28 Water supply

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Apr 27, 2017 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Feb 20, 2017 — Routine - Food· 11 violations · Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V32 Proper sanitizing

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Aug 19, 2016 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Aug 18, 2016 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V24 Toxic substance control

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V32 Proper sanitizing

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

How Does This Facility Compare?

SPECIAL PHO has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the Pinellas County average of 0.27 closures per facility. It has averaged 9 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 4.56.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has SPECIAL PHO had?: SPECIAL PHO has had 33 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has SPECIAL PHO ever been shut down?: Yes, SPECIAL PHO has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at SPECIAL PHO?: The most frequently cited violations at SPECIAL PHO are: Food contact surfaces, Consumer advisory, Employee health reporting.

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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: January 23, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with SPECIAL PHO.