How many health inspections has BITIA'S TAQUERIA had?

BITIA'S TAQUERIA has had 21 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has BITIA'S TAQUERIA ever been shut down?

Yes, BITIA'S TAQUERIA has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at BITIA'S TAQUERIA?

The most frequently cited violations at BITIA'S TAQUERIA are: Proper hand/arm washing, Proper ventilation, Shell stock requirements.

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 V12 (Shell stock requirements) mean?

SHELLFISH TRACEABILITY: Shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) are high-risk foods consumed raw or lightly cooked. Without proper identification tags, contaminated shellfish cannot be traced during outbreaks. Vibrio vulnificus from Gulf shellfish has a 50% fatality rate in at-risk populations. Norovirus in shellfish causes 50% of shellfish-related illnesses. Proper tags enable rapid recall during outbreaks. Maintain shellfish tags for 90 days from date of sale/service. Tags must include: harvester name and certification number, harvest date and location, quantity, dealer information. Store shellfish in original tagged container until empty. Record date on each container when last shell is removed. Never commingle shellfish from different lots.

What does Florida violation V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?

CROSS-CONTAMINATION: Improperly cleaned food contact surfaces are a primary vehicle for bacterial transfer. Cutting boards can harbor 200x more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. Biofilms form on surfaces within 24 hours, protecting Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli from routine cleaning. One contaminated surface can transfer pathogens to dozens of food items throughout the day. Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: after each use, between different food types (especially raw meat to ready-to-eat), every 4 hours during continuous use, and when contaminated. Use proper sanitizer concentration: chlorine 50-100 ppm, quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm. Air dry — do not towel dry. Test sanitizer concentration every 2 hours.

BITIA'S TAQUERIA

3436 17 ST, Sarasota, FL 34235

Sarasota County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: BITIA'S TAQUERIA INC · License: SEA6804414

BITIA'S TAQUERIA in Sarasota, FL has 21 inspections on record with 131 total violations (6.2 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

21Inspections

131Violations

1Closures

Data current as of January 9, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for BITIA'S TAQUERIA
Date	Reason	Reopened
Jun 18, 2015	Roach activity	08:55:00

Inspection History (21)

Jan 9, 2025 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Sep 3, 2024 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Aug 30, 2024 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Jun 20, 2024 — Complaint Full· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jan 12, 2024 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jan 10, 2024 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (4 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Sep 1, 2023 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Nov 1, 2022 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Aug 3, 2022 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Jan 18, 2022 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Sep 15, 2021 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

May 6, 2021 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V09 No contamination

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Nov 18, 2020 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Apr 28, 2020 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Dec 5, 2019 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Oct 3, 2018 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Oct 2, 2018 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V41 Toilet facilities

Nov 15, 2017 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Nov 14, 2017 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Jan 25, 2017 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Jul 12, 2016 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V09 No contamination

V14 Food contact surfaces

How Does This Facility Compare?

BITIA'S TAQUERIA has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the Sarasota County average of 0.09 closures per facility. It has averaged 6.2 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.69.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has BITIA'S TAQUERIA had?: BITIA'S TAQUERIA has had 21 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has BITIA'S TAQUERIA ever been shut down?: Yes, BITIA'S TAQUERIA has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at BITIA'S TAQUERIA?: The most frequently cited violations at BITIA'S TAQUERIA are: Proper hand/arm washing, Proper ventilation, Shell stock requirements.

Nearby Establishments

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FAT DADDIOS PIZZA

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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 9, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with BITIA'S TAQUERIA.