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 |
| Hywaze | 1 | 440 | 37 |
| Publix | 1 | 30 | 875 |
| Smoothie King | 1 | 11 | 350 |
| Walgreens | 1 | 1 | 743 |
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 |
| Chipotle | 3 | 91 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 95 | 0 |
| Burger King | 3 | 283 | 0 |
| Marcos Pizza | 2 | 86 | 2 |
| Wingstop | 2 | 162 | 0 |
| Chick-fil-a | 2 | 136 | 0 |
| Wendys | 2 | 185 | 0 |
| Ihop | 2 | 337 | 1 |
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)
Tuffy's Bottle Shop & Lounge
200 S MYRTLE AVE, Sanford
15 inspections · 81 violations · Last: Apr 2026Wendy's #4473
3717 S ORLANDO BLVD, Sanford
22 inspections · 77 violations · Last: May 2026Rockin Rhonda's
2617 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
19 inspections · 76 violations · Last: Jan 2026Chiantis Pizza & Pasta - Jet Away Cafe
2841 FLIGHTLINE AVE, Sanford
19 inspections · 75 violations · Last: Dec 2025Wildflower
107 MAGNOLIA AVE, Sanford
7 inspections · 74 violations · Last: Apr 2026McDonald's #5741
150 HICKMAN DR, Sanford
18 inspections · 73 violations · Last: Jan 2026Kfc W750279
3601 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
21 inspections · 72 violations · Last: Jan 2026Hollerbach’s
1200 RED CLEVELAND BLVD, Sanford
18 inspections · 71 violations · Last: Dec 2025Goodfellas Pizzeria of Sanford
4932 W SR 46 STE 1060, Sanford
17 inspections · 71 violations · Last: Apr 2026Ranchers Custard Company LLC
4625 ST JOHNS PKWY, Sanford
10 inspections · 71 violations · Last: Aug 2025Taksim Turkish Grill
4076 SOUTH ORLANDO DRIVE, Sanford
13 inspections · 68 violations · Last: Dec 2025Springhill Suites Sanford
201 N TOWNE RD, Sanford
21 inspections · 68 violations · Last: Mar 2026Pierogi Bros
405 E 4 ST, Sanford
18 inspections · 67 violations · Last: Mar 2026Arby's
3725 ORLANDO BLVD, Sanford
21 inspections · 67 violations · Last: Jan 2026Best Western Plus Sanford Airport
3401 S ORLANDO DR, Sanford
25 inspections · 66 violations · Last: Aug 2025Chipotle Mexican Grill
1805 WP BALL BLVD, Sanford
26 inspections · 66 violations · Last: Dec 2025Waffle House 2344
336 W LAKE MARY BLVD, Sanford
16 inspections · 65 violations · Last: Apr 2026Subway #851
3605 ORLANDO DR, Sanford
20 inspections · 64 violations · Last: Jun 2025Cici's Pizza #278
3695 S. ORLANDO AVE., Sanford
13 inspections · 63 violations · Last: Sep 2025Burger King
3788 ORLANDO DR, Sanford
17 inspections · 63 violations · Last: Jan 2026