How many inspections has Choice Foods in Starke had?

Choice Foods in Starke has 4 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.

What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Choice Foods in Starke find?

Choice Foods in Starke was most recently inspected by FDACS on April 17, 2025 (Focused Inspection).

Has Choice Foods in Starke had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?

No, Choice Foods in Starke has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.

Choice Foods in Starke

Name: Choice Foods in Starke Inspection Records
Creator: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Last inspected: April 17, 2025

1100 E Brownlee St, Starke, FL 32091

Bradford County · Convenience Store Significant FS AND/OR Packaged Ice · FDACS
Owner: Choice Food of Lake Helen INC
FDACS Estab #: 416213

Overview

Choice Foods in Starke operates as a convenience store with packaged ice service and is subject to FDACS inspection and permitting requirements. The facility has 4 inspections on record since August 2023, with 15 total violations documented across two compliance inspections in 2023 and 2025; no violations were cited during two focused documentation inspections.

The most significant enforcement concern involves packaged ice safety. A April 2025 inspection identified six violations including a repeat finding of no backflow device on an external spigot, a handwashing sink blocked by a reach-in cooler, and missing soap at the handwashing sink. The inspector issued a conditional notice: if a satisfactory microbiological laboratory ice sample analysis is not provided within 30 calendar days, a Stop Use order will be placed on the ice maker, bags, and scoop, and a Stop Sale order will be issued on all packaged ice from the machine. The facility received documentation of ice testing on April 17, 2025, and a follow-up focused inspection that day found zero violations.

An August 2023 initial inspection during the permit application process documented nine violations. The person in charge could not correctly respond to questions about preventing transmission of foodborne disease by employees with health conditions, could not describe symptoms of transmissible diseases, and failed to ensure employees were informed of their responsibility to report health and activities related to communicable diseases. The backflow device violation on the external spigot was cited at that time as well. The facility's permit status required full payment to complete the application process.

Summary generated from Florida FDACS public inspection records.

4FDACS Insp.

15Violations

Last inspected FDACS: April 17, 2025

Choice Foods in Starke: FDACS Inspection History (4)

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.

2025 — 2 inspections

Apr 17, 2025 — Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: GARRY OSTENDORF, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Comments: This Focused Inspection is being conducted offsite to ensure required and/or requested documentation has been received from the food establishment. Received ice test.

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

Apr 15, 2025 — Met Sanitation Inspection Requirements - Check Back Needed· 6 violations· Met Requirements

Inspector: GARRY OSTENDORF, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

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. Request # 5130386 - Add hemp to permit. If a satisfactory microbiological laboratory ice sample analysis results are not provided on or about 30 calendar days from the date of this visit. A Stop Use will be placed on the ice maker, the bags and scoop used to package the ice and a Stop Sale on all packaged ice from the machine. If the results are acquired within 30 days the food establishment can call (850) 815-0886 report compliance, or email results to [email protected]

Risk-Based Violations

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

Food processing area - Hand wash sink blocked by reach in cooler.

6-301.11 Handwashing sink or group of 2 adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with: individual, disposable towels; continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; a heated-air hand drying device; or a device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures. 6-301.11 and 6-301.12 PfPf

Food processing area - No soap at hand wash sink.

Good Retail Practice Violations

213 Microbial analysis of finished product by an approved laboratory not obtained within the required time period. 5K-4.023(8)(a) F.A.C.Repeat

No Bagged ice test available during inspection.

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

Back room area - Chicken stored on floor of walk in cooler.

5-203.14 Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas contaminant into the water supply system at each point of use, including on a hose bibb, by providing an air gap or installation of an approved backflow prevention device. 5-203.14 PfRepeat

Outside area - No back flow device on spigot on side of store.

6-501.11 Physical facilities not maintained in good repair. 6-501.11

Back room area - Multiple stained and damaged ceiling tiles.

2023 — 2 inspections

Aug 28, 2023 — Focused Inspection· Focused Inspection

Inspector: GARRY OSTENDORF, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Comments: This Focused Inspection is being conducted offsite to ensure required and/ or requested documentation has been received from the establishment.

No violations or enforcement actions recorded for this inspection.

Aug 18, 2023 — Operating Without a Valid Food Permit; Check-back Needed· 9 violations· Re-Inspection Required

Inspector: GARRY OSTENDORF, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

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. Initial inspection per request # 5100845. The Minimum Construction Standards has been used in accordance with 500.12(2)(a) Florida Statutes by the food safety inspector to determine compliance before obtaining a food permit. Thank you for submitting your food establishment permit application. To complete the application process, you must remit payment in full. To expedite the processing of your food permit application, electronic online payment is available at

Risk-Based Violations

2-102.11(C)(2)-(3) Person in charge does not correctly respond to questions that relate to preventing transmission of foodborne disease by a food employee who has a disease or medical condition that may cause foodborne disease, can not describe symptoms associated with diseases that are transmissible through food, or can not explain how to comply with reporting responsibilities and exclusion or restriction of food employees. 2-102.11(C)(2)-(3) and (17) PfPf

Person in charge does not correctly respond to questions that relate to preventing transmission of foodborne disease by a food employee who has a disease or medical condition that may cause foodborne disease, can not describe symptoms associated with diseases that are transmissible through food, or can not explain how to comply with reporting responsibilities and exclusion or restriction of food employees. o

2-103.11(O) Person in charge does not ensure food employees and conditional employees are informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. 2-103.11(O) PfPf

Person in charge does not ensure food employees and conditional employees are informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. o

6-301.14 Sign or poster notifying food employees to wash their hands not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees, or handwashing signage not clearly visible to food employees. 6-301.14

Back room area - No hand wash sign in unisex restroom.

Good Retail Practice Violations

213 Microbial analysis of finished product by an approved laboratory not obtained within the required time period. 5K-4.023(8)(a) F.A.C.

No ice test available during inspection. o

4-903.11(A) Single-service or single-use articles 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. 4-903.11(A)

Back room area - Togo cups stored on floor next to walk in cooler.

5-205.15(B) Plumbing system not maintained in good repair. 5-205.15(B)

Food processing area - Warewash sink in disrepair, faucet leaks.

Outside area - No back flow device on spigot on side of store.

5-501.11 Outdoor storage surface for refuse, recyclables, and returnables not constructed of nonabsorbent material such as concrete or asphalt or is not smooth, durable, and sloped to drain. 5-501.11

Outside area - Dumpster sitting in grass area .

99 The food establishment is operating without a valid food permit. 500.12, F.S., 5K-4.020(2), F.A.C. The food establishment shall complete the permitting process within 10 days. Contact the Business Center at (850) 245-5520 for further assistance.

Food establishment is operating without a valid 2023 annual food permit with an application submitted. o INSPECTION: VENDED WATER/VENDED ICE Violation No.

Choice Foods in Starke: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Choice Foods in Starke last inspected?: Choice Foods in Starke was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on April 17, 2025. Inspection type: Focused Inspection.
How many inspections has Choice Foods in Starke had?: Choice Foods in Starke has 4 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Choice Foods in Starke find?: Choice Foods in Starke was most recently inspected by FDACS on April 17, 2025 (Focused Inspection).
Has Choice Foods in Starke had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?: No, Choice Foods in Starke has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.
What are the most common violations at Choice Foods in Starke?: The most frequently cited FDACS violations at Choice Foods in Starke are: 5-203.14: Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas contaminant into the water supply system at each point of use, including on a hose bibb, by providing an air gap or installation of an approved backflow prevention device. 5-203.14 Pf; 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 Pf; 6-301.11: Handwashing sink or group of 2 adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks not provided with: individual, disposable towels; continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; a heated-air hand drying device; or a device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures. 6-301.11 and 6-301.12 Pf.
Does Choice Foods in Starke have any repeat violations?: Yes, Choice Foods in Starke has had the following violations cited on multiple FDACS inspections: 5-203.14: Plumbing system not installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas contaminant into the water supply system at each point of use, including on a hose bibb, by providing an air gap or installation of an approved backflow prevention device. 5-203.14 Pf.