How many health inspections has LA BAMBA RESTAURANT had?

LA BAMBA RESTAURANT has had 22 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has LA BAMBA RESTAURANT ever been shut down?

Yes, LA BAMBA RESTAURANT has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at LA BAMBA RESTAURANT?

The most frequently cited violations at LA BAMBA RESTAURANT are: Proper hand/arm washing, Consumer advisory, Time as control.

What does Florida violation V02 (Employee health policy) mean?

DISEASE TRANSMISSION: Without a written employee health policy, sick food workers transmit Norovirus (20 million US cases/year), Hepatitis A (causes liver failure), Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli O157:H7. CDC estimates 40% of restaurant outbreaks involve ill food workers. A single infected employee can contaminate food for thousands of customers. Maintain written employee health policy addressing: reporting of symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, sore throat with fever), diagnosed illnesses (Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli), exclusion and restriction criteria, and return-to-work requirements. Train all employees on policy at hiring and annually.

What does Florida violation V03 (Employee health reporting) mean?

OUTBREAK ENABLER: Food workers who fail to report illness symptoms are the #1 cause of multi-victim outbreaks. Norovirus is shed in billions of viral particles per gram of stool — as few as 18 particles cause infection. One symptomatic worker can infect hundreds of customers before detection. CDC links 70% of Norovirus outbreaks to infected food handlers. Employees must immediately report: vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, sore throat with fever, infected wounds or boils. Must also report diagnosed illness with Salmonella Typhi, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7, Hepatitis A virus, or Norovirus. Person in charge must exclude or restrict employees per FDA Food Code guidelines.

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.

LA BAMBA RESTAURANT

4815 W LAUREL ST, Tampa, FL 336074507

Hillsborough County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: IZALVA CORPORATION · License: SEA3907350

LA BAMBA RESTAURANT in Tampa, FL has 22 inspections on record with 198 total violations (9 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

22Inspections

198Violations

1Closures

Data current as of May 5, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for LA BAMBA RESTAURANT
Date	Reason	Reopened
Mar 28, 2024	Roach activity	16:14:00

Inspection History (22)

May 5, 2025 — Routine - Food· 22 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

Sep 4, 2024 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

May 28, 2024 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

Mar 29, 2024 — Routine - Food· 16 violations (5 high priority)· Emergency Order Callback Not Complied

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Mar 29, 2024 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency Order Callback Complied

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Mar 28, 2024 — Routine - Food· 22 violations (8 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Aug 3, 2023 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Apr 25, 2023 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Dec 5, 2022 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V06 Handwashing facilities

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

May 13, 2022 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Sep 29, 2021 — Routine - Food· 9 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Mar 12, 2021 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Oct 29, 2020 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

May 6, 2020 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Dec 20, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Oct 9, 2019 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V13 Parasite destruction

V22 Consumer advisory

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 24, 2019 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V13 Parasite destruction

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Jul 12, 2018 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Dec 18, 2017 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures

V13 Parasite destruction

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

May 25, 2017 — Complaint Full· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

V28 Water supply

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

May 19, 2017 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Oct 3, 2016 — Routine - Food· 15 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

How Does This Facility Compare?

LA BAMBA RESTAURANT has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the Hillsborough County average of 0.16 closures per facility. It has averaged 9 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.43.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has LA BAMBA RESTAURANT had?: LA BAMBA RESTAURANT has had 22 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has LA BAMBA RESTAURANT ever been shut down?: Yes, LA BAMBA RESTAURANT has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at LA BAMBA RESTAURANT?: The most frequently cited violations at LA BAMBA RESTAURANT are: Proper hand/arm washing, Consumer advisory, Time as control.

Nearby Establishments

HAMTON INN TAMPA AIRPORT

4817 W LAUREL ST, Tampa

16 inspections · 70 violations

Last inspected: Dec 6, 2024

WESTWOOD DELI & CATERING

1408 N WESTSHORE BLVD STE-112, Tampa

21 inspections · 106 violations

Last inspected: Feb 5, 2025

HYATT PLACE TAMPA AIRPORT/WESTSHORE

4811 W MAIN ST, Tampa

13 inspections · 86 violations

Last inspected: Mar 31, 2025

RUTHS CHRIS STEAKHOUSE

1700 N WESTSHORE BLVD, Tampa

21 inspections · 120 violations

Last inspected: Apr 4, 2025

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: May 5, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with LA BAMBA RESTAURANT.