Sanford — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Sanford, Florida has 294 food establishments with 3,954 inspections on record. 4 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 93%, above the state average of 86%. 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 May 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sake House | 49 | 430 | 4 |
| Casa China | 27 | 327 | 3 |
| Le's Pho | 28 | 243 | 2 |
| Marco's Pizza | 25 | 79 | 2 |
| Ichigo Ichie Buffet | 46 | 737 | 1 |
Sanford Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sanford Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cracker Barrel #190 | 12 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Wendy's #4473 | 1 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| District | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| McDonald's #41316 | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Waffle House 2344 | 4 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Capital Room Sanford LLC | 10 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Old Jail House | 9 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Futurebean | 1 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Market Restaurant | 8 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Corner Cafe - Home of Gourmet2go | 0 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Sanford Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 59,374 |
| 23 | Chemical properly stored | 52,521 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 48,800 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 36,902 |
| 29 | Proper sewage disposal | 28,266 |
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 |
| Oct 6, 2025 | Mel's Family Diner | $240 | 4--2025038371 |
| Jun 2, 2025 | Mel's Family Diner | $240 | 4--2024072475 |
| Sep 4, 2025 | Subway #851 | $200 | 4--2025060866 |
| Oct 22, 2025 | Just Food 5059 | $200 | 4--2025066304 |
| May 19, 2025 | China II | $200 | 4--2025035989 |
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 | 2,422 |
| Circle K | 3 | 102 | 1,574 |
| Winn-Dixie | 2 | 170 | 584 |
| Dollar Tree | 2 | 9 | 1,084 |
| Wawa | 1 | 14 | 430 |
| Blue Bell Creameries | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Chevron | 1 | 283 | 1,145 |
| CVS | 1 | 9 | 882 |
Sanford: Notable Restaurants
Sake House
Casa China
Le's Pho
Ichigo Ichie Buffet
La Mexicana #7 Restaurant
District
Sanford: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 4 | 228 | 0 |
| Subway | 4 | 261 | 0 |
| Burger King | 3 | 283 | 0 |
| Chipotle | 3 | 91 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 95 | 0 |
| Kfc | 2 | 101 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 2 | 32 | 0 |
| Marcos Pizza | 2 | 86 | 2 |
| Wingstop | 2 | 162 | 0 |
| Chick-fil-a | 2 | 136 | 0 |
Sanford Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sanford?
- Sanford, Florida has 294 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%.
- 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?
- McDonalds 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 7 percentage points above the state average of 86%. 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 13.4 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 $34,655 in fines across 107 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $347 and the largest single fine was $1,680.
- 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.
In the News Sanford
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Sanford Restaurants & Food Establishments (288)
Shantells on the Run
503 SANFORD AVE, Sanford
35 inspections · 330 violations · Last: Mar 2026El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant
406 S SANFORD AVE, Sanford
41 inspections · 312 violations · Last: Feb 2026Singas Pizza
2921 S ORLANDO DR STE 162, Sanford
32 inspections · 307 violations · Last: Dec 2025Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken
1905 S FRENCH AVE, Sanford
30 inspections · 297 violations · Last: Mar 2026Denny's #6929
3771 ORLANDO DR, Sanford
32 inspections · 293 violations · Last: Jan 2026China II
5228 W SR 46, Sanford
37 inspections · 289 violations · Last: Jan 2026Cheddar's Casual Cafe
1650 RINEHART RD, Sanford
39 inspections · 279 violations · Last: Apr 2026Riverwalk Pizzeria
5040 W STATE ROAD 46 STE 1102, Sanford
31 inspections · 278 violations · Last: Dec 2025Yabi Sushi
3755 S ORLANDO AVE, Sanford
25 inspections · 275 violations · Last: Jan 2026Pizza Twist
1746 RINEHART ROAD, Sanford
36 inspections · 275 violations · Last: Jul 2025West End Trading Co
202 S SANFORD AVE, Sanford
28 inspections · 272 violations · Last: Mar 2026Breezeway Restaurant & Bar
112 E 1 ST, Sanford
27 inspections · 271 violations · Last: Apr 2026Bbee's Home Cooking INC
2511 SANFORD AVE, Sanford
29 inspections · 270 violations · Last: Jan 2026Steak N' Shake #278
40 TOWNE CENTER CIRC, Sanford
33 inspections · 261 violations · Last: Dec 2025Colorados Prime Steak
3863 S ORLANDO DR., Sanford
30 inspections · 257 violations · Last: Dec 2025Akira
318 WEST LAKE MARY BLVD, Sanford
24 inspections · 251 violations · Last: Jan 2026Mellow Mushroom
1831 RINEHART RD, Sanford
30 inspections · 237 violations · Last: Jan 2026China Star II Usa INC
4585 ST JOHNS PKWY, Sanford
23 inspections · 237 violations · Last: Jan 2026Negril Spice
114 SANFORD AVE, Sanford
33 inspections · 232 violations · Last: Feb 2026Carrabba's Italian Grill
4675 SAINT JOHNS PARKWAY, Sanford
29 inspections · 226 violations · Last: Dec 2025