When was Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa last inspected?

Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on April 1, 2026. Inspection type: Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements.

How many inspections has Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa had?

Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa has 1 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.

What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa find?

Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa was most recently inspected by FDACS on April 1, 2026 (Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements).

Has Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?

No, Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.

Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa

Name: Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa Inspection Records
Creator: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Last inspected: April 1, 2026

3102 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33605

Pinellas County · Convenience Store Significant FS AND/OR Packaged Ice · FDACS
Owner: Ara Express 1 INC

Overview

Ara Food Store 1, a convenience store in Tampa, underwent a preoperational inspection on April 1, 2026 as part of its food permit application process. The inspection identified 9 violations, all rated as priority foundation (Pf) — systemic management issues rather than imminent hazards. The violations included the person in charge not correctly responding to questions about preventing foodborne illness transmission, absence of written procedures for employees responding to vomiting or diarrhea events, no probe thermometer available for food temperature verification, no sanitizer test kits in the warewashing area, and no air gap beneath the three-compartment sink in the warewashing area. The inspector noted that no actual temperature or sanitizer concentration violations were observed during the inspection. The establishment was advised to correct all citations and submit an electronic copy of the completed report to [email protected] to proceed with permit issuance.

Summary generated from Florida FDACS public inspection records.

1FDACS Insp.

9Violations

Last inspected FDACS: April 1, 2026

Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa: FDACS Inspection History (1)

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.

2026 — 1 inspection

Apr 1, 2026 — Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements· 9 violations· Met Requirements

Inspector: LIZ OREJON ORE, SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST

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#5153053. The Minimum Construction Standards checklist 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 meet all permitting requirements as specified in Rule 5K-4.020(2)(a)-(e), F.A.C. To expedite the processing of your food permit application, electronic online payment is available at https://foodpermit.fdacs.gov. Payment by check or money order is also accepted and must be accompanied by an invoice. Please note that payment by check or money order may delay the processing of your food permit application. Failure to meet all permitting requirements will result in the denial of your permit and you may be subject to administrative penalties if you are found operating without a valid food permit, which is a violation of Section 500.12(1)(a), Florida Statutes. If you are found to be in violation of this provision, the Department may impose up to a $5,000.00 fine against you and/or seek administrative action to suspend food activities.

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

Establishment: Person in charge did not respond correctly to questions that relate to preventing transmission of food borne illness. o

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

Establishment does not have written procedures for employees responding to an event that involves vomiting or diarrhea. Information was provided.

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

Warewashing area and Restroom: No signage notifying employees to wash hands in the hand washing sinks.

95 Establishment does not have a certified food protection manager who has passed a test through a recognized accredited program. 5K-4.021(1), F.A.C.

No Certified Food Protection Manager.

Good Retail Practice Violations

4-302.12 Food temperature measuring device not provided or not readily accessible for use in ensuring food temperatures are attained and maintained; or food temperature measuring device with a suitable small-diameter probe not provided or not readily accessible to accurately measure the temperature in thin foods. 4-302.12 Pf

Establishment: No probe thermometer available. No temperature violation observed during inspection.

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

Warewashing area: No sanitizer test kits available. No sanitizer concentration violation observed during inspection.

4-303.11 Cleaning agent used to clean equipment and utensils or chemical sanitizer used to sanitize equipment and utensils not provided and available for use during all hours of operation. 4-303.11

Warewashing area: No sanitizer solution available at 3 compartment sink. COS: Sanitizer solution chlorine was obtained.

5-402.11 Direct connection exists between the sewage system and a drain originating from equipment in which food, portable equipment, or utensils are placed. 5-402.11 Pf

Warewashing area: No air gap beneath the 3 compartment sink.

6-202.14 Toilet room located inside the food establishment not completely enclosed or not provided with a tight-fitting self-closing door. 6-202.14

Restroom: No self-closing door.

Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa last inspected?: Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa was last inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on April 1, 2026. Inspection type: Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements.
How many inspections has Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa had?: Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa has 1 FDACS food safety inspection(s) on record from January 2022 to present.
What did the most recent FDACS inspection of Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa find?: Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa was most recently inspected by FDACS on April 1, 2026 (Met Preoperational Inspection Requirements).
Has Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa had any stop-sale or stop-use orders?: No, Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa has no stop-sale or stop-use orders on record with Florida FDACS.
What are the most common violations at Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa?: The most frequently cited FDACS violations at Ara Food Store 1 in Tampa are: 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) Pf; 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; 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 Pf.