Sanford — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Sanford, Florida has 290 food establishments with 3,918 inspections on record. 4 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 93%, above the state average of 86.2%. Inspections average 5.8 violations per visit.
Largest fine: $800 assessed to Mel's Family Diner in Sanford on March 3, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated April 2026.
Sanford Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sanford
93%
Pass Rate
93%
Florida Average
86.2%
Pass Rate
86.2%
Sanford
5.8
Avg Violations / Inspection
5.8
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sanford
1.38
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.38
Florida Average
1.46
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.46
Sanford Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pdq Restaurant - Sanford, Fl | 2 | Call Back - Complied | |
| H&m Restaurant | 6 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens | 16 (4 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Pupusas & Burritos Grill | 1 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Ciros Ny Pizza | 13 (4 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Pdq Restaurant - Sanford, Fl | 9 (2 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Cheddar's Casual Cafe | 8 (1 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Springhill Suites Sanford | 6 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Jersey Mike's | 1 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Bliss Bistro and Social | 10 | Warning Issued |
Sanford Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 1,427 |
| 23 | Chemical properly stored | 1,231 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 1,179 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 929 |
| 29 | Proper sewage disposal | 690 |
Sanford Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 3, 2026 | Mel's Family Diner | $800 | 4--2025069811 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 5th Element Indian Restaurant | $800 | 4--2025064334 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | Just Food 5059 | $400 | 4--2025064839 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Casa China | $300 | 4--2025075544 |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Buster's Bistro | $300 | 4--2025073654 |
| Jun 2, 2025 | Mel's Family Diner | $240 | 4--2024072475 |
| Oct 6, 2025 | Mel's Family Diner | $240 | 4--2025038371 |
| May 19, 2025 | China II | $200 | 4--2025035989 |
| Sep 4, 2025 | Subway #851 | $200 | 4--2025060866 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Soul Wingz Catering | $200 | 4--2026012219 |
Sanford Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Other fire safety violation | 58 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 42 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 23 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 11 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 8 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 7 |
Sanford Retail Food: FDACS Inspection Records
In addition to restaurants, Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects grocery stores, markets, gas station food sections, and other retail food establishments. Sanford has 96 FDACS-regulated facilities with 219 inspections on record and 34 stop-sale orders issued.
Sanford FDACS: Recent Stop-Sale Orders
A stop-sale order prohibits a retail food establishment from selling specific products found to be unsafe, improperly stored, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code. Products may be embargoed, destroyed, or returned to the distributor.
| Date | Facility | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-eleven-29920a-341374 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Sams-club-4785-414119 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Sams-club-4785-414119 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Sams-club-4785-414119 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Sams-club-4785-414119 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Sams-club-4785-414119 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Sams-club-4785-414119 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.172 Unsanitary Equipment.* Utensils, Equipment and Vending: Fo… | |
| Sams-club-4785-414119 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| Sams-club-4785-414119 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… | |
| Sams-club-4785-414119 | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.10 Adulterated.* Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food: Pro… |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Sanford FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Sanford Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven | 4 | 84 | 2,423 |
| Circle K | 4 | 108 | 1,668 |
| Publix | 3 | 53 | 1,789 |
| Winn-Dixie | 2 | 212 | 797 |
| Bravo Supermarket | 1 | 81 | 544 |
| Chevron | 1 | 282 | 1,197 |
| CVS | 1 | 9 | 1,009 |
| Hywaze | 1 | 440 | 37 |
Sanford: Notable Restaurants
Sake House
49 inspections
430 violations
4 closures
Casa China
27 inspections
327 violations
3 closures
Le's Pho
28 inspections
243 violations
2 closures
Ichigo Ichie Buffet
46 inspections
737 violations
1 closures
La Mexicana #7 Restaurant
46 inspections
468 violations
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
20 inspections
126 violations
Sanford: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | 4 | 253 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 3 | 221 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 3 | 91 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 93 | 0 |
| Burger King | 3 | 283 | 0 |
| Kfc | 2 | 99 | 0 |
| Wingstop | 2 | 162 | 0 |
| Popeyes | 2 | 158 | 0 |
| Chick-fil-a | 2 | 133 | 0 |
| Ihop | 2 | 337 | 1 |
Sanford Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sanford?
- Sanford, Florida has 290 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Sanford?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Sanford is 93%. The Florida state average is 86.2%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Sanford this year?
- 4 food establishments in Sanford have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Sanford?
- The most frequently cited violations in Sanford are: Proper ventilation, Chemical properly stored, Food contact surfaces.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Sanford?
- Subway has the most locations in Sanford with 4 establishments.
- How does Sanford compare to the Florida state average?
- Sanford has a pass rate of 93%, which is 6.8 percentage points above the state average of 86.2%. The average violations per inspection is 5.8 compared to the state average of 4.67.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Sanford?
- Food establishments in Sanford have an average of 13.5 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Sanford been assessed?
- Food establishments in Sanford have been assessed $25,385 in fines across 81 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $330 and the largest single fine was $1,200.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Sanford restaurants?
- 149 fire safety violations have been documented across 62 food establishments in Sanford. The most common issue is other fire safety violation.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Sanford inspected?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects retail food establishments — grocery stores, gas station food sections, markets, and convenience stores. Sanford, Florida has 96 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 219 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Sanford?
- FDACS has issued 34 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Sanford, including 1 in 2026. A stop-sale order prohibits a facility from selling specific products found to be unsafe, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code.
Sanford Restaurants & Food Establishments (283)
Sake House 4 closures
1625 RINEHART RD, Sanford
49 inspections · 430 violations · Last: Mar 2026Casa China 3 closures
3677 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
27 inspections · 327 violations · Last: Dec 2025Le's Pho 2 closures
5040 W SR 46 STE 1114, Sanford
28 inspections · 243 violations · Last: Jan 2026Marco's Pizza 2 closures
1165 RINEHART RD., Sanford
25 inspections · 79 violations · Last: Sep 2025Ichigo Ichie Buffet 1 closure
3611 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
46 inspections · 737 violations · Last: Nov 2025Churchs Chicken 10558 1 closure
2561 FRENCH AVE, Sanford
36 inspections · 505 violations · Last: Mar 20265th Element Indian Restaurant 1 closure
1133 RINEHART RD, Sanford
37 inspections · 472 violations · Last: Oct 2025Buster's Bistro 1 closure
300 S SANFORD AVE, Sanford
41 inspections · 419 violations · Last: Dec 2025Mel's Family Diner 1 closure
3221 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
38 inspections · 374 violations · Last: Jan 2026Racks Billiards Sports Bar & Grill 1 closure
312 ENTRANCE RD N, Sanford
29 inspections · 274 violations · Last: Mar 2026Colonial Room Restaurant 1 closure
105 E 1 ST STE 100, Sanford
38 inspections · 267 violations · Last: Feb 2026Ihop 36-177 1 closure
3150 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
29 inspections · 197 violations · Last: Mar 2026Micheladas Y Mariscos El Doctor 1 closure
1220 SANFORD AVENUE, Sanford
26 inspections · 191 violations · Last: Mar 2026Dali's Lao Thai Cafe 1 closure
1181 RINEHART RD, Sanford
25 inspections · 169 violations · Last: Feb 2026Cabana Live
4380 CARRAWAY PL, Sanford
44 inspections · 476 violations · Last: Nov 2025La Mexicana #7 Restaurant
2715 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
46 inspections · 468 violations · Last: Mar 2026El Sol Mexican Restaurant
4520 W SR 46, Sanford
34 inspections · 422 violations · Last: Feb 2026Christos
107 W 1 ST, Sanford
38 inspections · 420 violations · Last: Mar 2026St Johns River Steak & Seafood
550 N PALMETTO AVE, Sanford
35 inspections · 372 violations · Last: Jan 2026Ciros Ny Pizza
1665 WP BALL BLVD, Sanford
37 inspections · 335 violations · Last: Mar 2026