How many health inspections has MELAO GASTRO BAR had?

MELAO GASTRO BAR has had 20 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has MELAO GASTRO BAR ever been shut down?

Yes, MELAO GASTRO BAR has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at MELAO GASTRO BAR?

The most frequently cited violations at MELAO GASTRO BAR are: Clean multi-use utensils, Consumer advisory, Proper ventilation.

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 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.

What does Florida violation V22 (Consumer advisory) mean?

INFORMED CHOICE: Without consumer advisory, customers with compromised immune systems, elderly, pregnant women, and young children cannot make informed decisions about consuming raw or undercooked foods. Raw oysters carry Vibrio vulnificus (50% fatality in at-risk groups). Undercooked eggs carry Salmonella Enteritidis. Raw fish may contain Anisakis parasites. Provide written consumer advisory with: disclosure identifying menu items containing raw or undercooked animal foods (eggs, meat, fish, shellfish), and a reminder statement about increased risk of foodborne illness. Must be on menu, placard, or other conspicuous written format. Covers items like rare burgers, sushi, sunny-side-up eggs, raw oysters.

MELAO GASTRO BAR

8199 N DALE MABRY HWY, Tampa, FL 33614

Hillsborough County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: MOFONGO STEAKHOUSE LLC · License: SEA3918416

MELAO GASTRO BAR in Tampa, FL has 20 inspections on record with 253 total violations (12.7 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

20Inspections

253Violations

1Closures

Data current as of June 4, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for MELAO GASTRO BAR
Date	Reason	Reopened
Feb 14, 2023	Roach activity	15:09:00

Inspection History (20)

Jun 4, 2025 — Complaint Full· 12 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

May 30, 2025 — Complaint Full· 20 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

May 13, 2025 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (1 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jan 2, 2025 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Apr 10, 2024 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Oct 4, 2023 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V38 Waste properly disposed

Oct 3, 2023 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V38 Waste properly disposed

Apr 18, 2023 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V09 No contamination

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Feb 15, 2023 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Emergency Order Callback Not Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Feb 15, 2023 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Emergency Order Callback Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Feb 14, 2023 — Routine - Food· 16 violations (6 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jul 11, 2022 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 15, 2021 — Complaint Full· 16 violations (6 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Sep 22, 2021 — Routine - Food· 18 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

May 10, 2021 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Mar 17, 2021 — Routine - Food· 22 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Mar 10, 2021 — Routine - Food· 34 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued

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

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Sep 2, 2020 — Routine - Food· 22 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

May 11, 2020 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Sep 4, 2019 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V38 Waste properly disposed

How Does This Facility Compare?

MELAO GASTRO BAR has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the Hillsborough County average of 0.16 closures per facility. It has averaged 12.7 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.43.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has MELAO GASTRO BAR had?: MELAO GASTRO BAR has had 20 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has MELAO GASTRO BAR ever been shut down?: Yes, MELAO GASTRO BAR has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at MELAO GASTRO BAR?: The most frequently cited violations at MELAO GASTRO BAR are: Clean multi-use utensils, Consumer advisory, Proper ventilation.

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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: June 4, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with MELAO GASTRO BAR.