Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota

2881 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231

Overview

Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota, FL has 0 inspections on record with 0 total violations (0 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures (plus 5 FDACS inspections).

0Inspections
0Violations
0Closures
5FDACS Insp.

Last inspected FDACS: January 3, 2025

Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota: Comparison to Sarasota County Averages

This Facility 0 violations / inspection 0 violations per inspection
Sarasota County Avg 4.77 violations / inspection 4.77 county average
This Facility 0 emergency closures 0 closures
Sarasota County Avg 0.11 closures / facility 0.11 county average

Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota: FDACS Inspection History (5)

Inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), which oversees grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, food manufacturers, mobile vendors, and vending machines.

— 1 inspection
— Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: SCOTT RAPRAGER, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: The issues described in request # 5122953 were addressed with the person in charge during this inspection

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

— 2 inspections
— Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: SCOTT RAPRAGER, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: The issues described in request # 5122953 were addressed with the person in charge during this inspection

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

— Focused Inspection· 1 violation· Focused Inspection

Inspector: SCOTT RAPRAGER, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: The issues described in request # 5115278 were addressed with the person in charge during this inspection

Good Retail Practice Violations

3-601.11 Packaged food does not comply with standard of identity requirements in 21 CFR 131-169 and 9 CFR 319, and the general requirements in 21 CFR 130 and 9 CFR 319 Subpart A. 3-601.11
Packaged frozen Joey D's pizza in retail reach in freezer case missing address or website. Manufacturer information to be added to product x
— 2 inspections
— Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: SCOTT RAPRAGER

Comments: The issues described in request # 51033567 were addressed with the person in charge during this inspection

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

— Met Inspection Requirements· 21 violations· Met Requirements

Inspector: JOHN WEAVER, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Comments: When citations have been corrected and initialed, an electronic copy of the completed report may be emailed to [email protected]. Please note each observation that has been corrected. Provided guidance for Cooling, Food Temperature Guide and clean up procedures for vomiting and diarrheal events.

Risk-Based Violations

3-501.14(B) Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature not cooled within 4 hours to 41°F or less. 3-501.14(B) PP
FOOD SERVICE: provolone cheese with an internal temperature of 54 degrees F. Internal Temperature (Cos) Cheese Voluntarily Discarded.PRODUCE: cut watermelons, cantaloupe and honey dew melons packaged and offered for consumer self service at 43, 44, 45 and 48 degrees F. Internal Temperature (Cos) Products Placed In The Walk In Freezer To Chill Rapidly. x
3-603.11(A) Animal food that is raw, undercooked, or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens is served or sold in a ready-to-eat form or as an ingredient in another ready-to-eat food without informing consumers of the significantly increased risk of consuming such foods by way of a disclosure and reminder using effective written means. 3-603.11(A) PfPf
SEAFOOD: disclosure and reminder not complete on sign posted. Must have specific food items and include a reminder.
2-501.11 Establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to an event that involves the discharge of vomitus or diarrhea onto surfaces at the food establishment, or procedures do not address specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter. 2-501.11 PfPf
RETAIL: written procedures not available.
7-102.11 Working container of poisonous or toxic materials taken from a bulk supply not clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. 7-102.11 PfPf
DELI: spray bottle of sanitizer not labeled (cos) bottle labeled
2-401.11 Employee eating, drinking or using tobacco where exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, unwrapped single service and single use articles or other items could become contaminated. 2-401.11
PRODUCE: food employee chewing gum
2-301.14 Food employee not cleaning hands or exposed portions of arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment or utensils, or unwrapped single service or single use articles; after touching bare human body parts; after using the toilet room; after caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals; after coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or tissue, using tobacco, eating or drinking; after handling soiled equipment or utensils; during food preparation as often as necessary to remove soil and prevent cross contamination; before donning gloves to initiate a task that involves working with food; or after engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. 2-301.14 PP
DELI: food employees not washing hands after changing tasks or after touching the trash container and resuming food service (cos) spoke with the management about proper handwashing. x
5-205.11 Handwashing sink not maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use or is used for purposes other than handwashing, or an automatic handwashing facility not used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. 5-205.11 PfPf
ICE CREAM AREA: hand sink used to stored plastic container lids (cos) lid removed.
3-201.11(F) Meat and poultry, that is not a ready-to-eat food and is in a packaged form when it is offered for sale or consumption, not labeled to include safe handling instructions. Eggs that have not been treated to destroy all viable Salmonellae not labeled to include safe handling instructions. 3-201.11(F) and (G)
MEAT: packaged raw beef, chicken, pork, lamb, seafood without a safe handling label (cos) establishment has added the statement to their scale label and are labeling the products.

Good Retail Practice Violations

3-501.15(B) Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooling is not loosely covered or uncovered to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the food, or not arranged in equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls. 3-501.15(B)
PROCESSING AREAS: products cooled from ambient temperature are stored in large containers and closed containers that will not allow effective cooling of foods.
3-302.12 Working container holding a food or food ingredient that is not readily and unmistakably recognized and has been removed from its original packaging for use in the establishment is not identified with the common name of the food. 3-302.12
BAKERY: spray bottle of egg wash not labeled (cos) bottle labeled.
3-305.11 Food not stored at least 6 inches above the floor; in a clean, dry location; or food stored where it is exposed to splash, dust or other contamination. 3-305.11
BAKERY: food boxes stored directly on the freezer floor.
2-303.11 Food employee wearing jewelry, other than a plain ring such as a wedding band, on their arm or hand while preparing food. 2-303.11
DELI / FOOD PREP AREAS: food employees wearing bracelets and watches.
3-304.12(B) During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, utensil stored in food that is not time/temperature control for safety food not stored with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed. 3-304.12(B)
BAKERY: scoop handle in contact with cinnamon sugar (cos) scoop stored properly.
4-903.11(A) Cleaned equipment or utensils, or laundered linens not stored in a clean, dry location; at least 6 inches above the floor; or where they are not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination. Clean equipment or utensils not stored in a self-draining position that allows air drying, or not covered or inverted. 4-903.11(A) and (B)
BAKERY: knives stored between the wall and an electrical line (cos) knives placed in the sink to be washed.DELI: containers of spoons not inverted.ICE CREAM AREA: splash guard needed between the hand sink and the drainboard of the warewash sink.
4-501.12 Surfaces that are subject to scratching or scoring not resurfaced or discarded when they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized. 4-501.12
SEAFOOD: cutting table beginning to show wear and scoring (cos) removed from service.
4-202.16 Nonfood-contact surfaces not free of unnecessary ledges, projections, and crevices or not designed and constructed to allow easy cleaning and to facilitate maintenance. 4-202.16
FOOD SERVICE: inverted drink crates used for storage.
4-501.11 Equipment not maintained in good repair or condition; equipment component not kept intact, tight, and adjusted in accordance with manufacturer's specifications; or cutting or piercing part of can opener not kept sharp to minimize the creation of metal fragments that can contaminate food when a container is opened. 4-501.11
FOOD SERVICE: metal colander bent.
4-302.14 Test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration in MG/L of sanitizing solution not provided. 4-302.14 Pf
PRODUCE: qt-40 test strips not available (cos) test strips obtained.
4-601.11(C) Nonfood-contact surface of equipment has an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue or other debris. 4-601.11(C)
BAKERY: spray wand of the warewash sink with heavy build up (cos) spray wand cleaned.
6-501.18 Plumbing fixtures including but not limited to handwashing sinks, toilets and urinals not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. 6-501.18
ICE CREAM AREA: dried residue in the hand sink basin (cos) hand sink cleaned.
6-501.12 Physical facilities not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean, or cleaning not done during periods when the least amount of food is exposed such as after closing. 6-501.12
BAKERY: dirt and debris on walk in freezer floor. Ice build up in the walk in freezer.FOOD SERVICE: dust accumulation on the ceiling and fan.

Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota: Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota had?
Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota has had 0 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 0 violations per inspection, below the statewide average of 5.2.
Has Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota ever been shut down?
No, Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota has no emergency closures on record with Florida DBPR.
When was Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota last inspected?
Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on January 3, 2025. Inspection type: Focused Inspection.
How many inspections has Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota had?
Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota has 5 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota find?
Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota was most recently inspected by FDACS on January 3, 2025 (Focused Inspection).
Has Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?
No, Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.
What are the most common violations at Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota?
The most frequently cited FDACS violations at Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida in Sarasota are: 3-601.11: Packaged food does not comply with standard of identity requirements in 21 CFR 131-169 and 9 CFR 319, and the general requirements in 21 CFR 130 and 9 CFR 319 Subpart A. 3-601.11; 2-401.11: Employee eating, drinking or using tobacco where exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, unwrapped single service and single use articles or other items could become contaminated. 2-401.11; 2-301.14: Food employee not cleaning hands or exposed portions of arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment or utensils, or unwrapped single service or single use articles; after touching bare human body parts; after using the toilet room; after caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals; after coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or tissue, using tobacco, eating or drinking; after handling soiled equipment or utensils; during food preparation as often as necessary to remove soil and prevent cross contamination; before donning gloves to initiate a task that involves working with food; or after engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. 2-301.14 P.

Nearby Establishments to Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida

Don Luigi

1272 N Palm Ave, Sarasota

6 DBPR insp. · 12 violations

Last inspected: Apr 3, 2026

Main Bar Sandwich Shop

1944 Main St, Sarasota

21 DBPR insp. · 49 violations

Last inspected: Apr 3, 2026

Blvd Cafe

1580 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota

16 DBPR insp. · 46 violations

Last inspected: Apr 3, 2026

Mattison's City Grille 0037

6024 Airport Cir Space B-fb6, Sarasota

3 DBPR insp. · 4 violations

Last inspected: Apr 3, 2026

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida. How we collect and verify this data.