How many health inspections has TROPICAL CUISINE had?

TROPICAL CUISINE has had 21 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has TROPICAL CUISINE ever been shut down?

Yes, TROPICAL CUISINE has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at TROPICAL CUISINE?

The most frequently cited violations at TROPICAL CUISINE are: Employee health policy, Time as control, Chemical properly stored.

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 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.

TROPICAL CUISINE

3405 E HILLSBOROUGH AVE, Tampa, FL 33610

Hillsborough County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: RAMAPI CORP · License: SEA3918267

TROPICAL CUISINE in Tampa, FL has 21 inspections on record with 230 total violations (11 per inspection) and 1 emergency closure.

21Inspections

230Violations

1Closures

Data current as of September 16, 2025

Emergency Closures (1)

Emergency closure history for TROPICAL CUISINE
Date	Reason	Reopened
Sep 16, 2025	Rodent, Roach & Fly activity	11:10:00

Inspection History (21)

Mar 20, 2025 — Complaint Partial· 10 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V36 Proper ventilation

Jan 14, 2025 — Routine - Food· 13 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Jul 15, 2024 — Complaint Full· 19 violations (1 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V05 Handwashing procedures

V11 Food in good condition

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V32 Proper sanitizing

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Mar 6, 2024 — Routine - Food· 16 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V32 Proper sanitizing

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 30, 2023 — Routine - Food· 20 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Jun 1, 2023 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Mar 27, 2023 — Routine - Food· 22 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

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

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V52 Personal cleanliness

V53 Outer openings protected

Aug 31, 2022 — Routine - Food· 22 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V42 Equipment condition

Feb 22, 2022 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (2 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

V23 Chemical properly stored

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 6, 2021 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Jun 16, 2021 — Complaint Full· 3 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

Jun 15, 2021 — Complaint Full· 19 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

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

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V32 Proper sanitizing

V33 Proper cooling equipment

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 15, 2021 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Oct 14, 2020 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Aug 11, 2020 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jun 9, 2020 — Routine - Food· 9 violations · Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 16, 2019 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Oct 14, 2019 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V33 Proper cooling equipment

Jun 17, 2019 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V24 Toxic substance control

Apr 8, 2019 — Routine - Food· 8 violations · Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 8, 2018 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 0 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

How Does This Facility Compare?

TROPICAL CUISINE has had 1 emergency closures, compared to the Hillsborough County average of 0.16 closures per facility. It has averaged 11 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.43.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has TROPICAL CUISINE had?: TROPICAL CUISINE has had 21 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has TROPICAL CUISINE ever been shut down?: Yes, TROPICAL CUISINE has been shut down 1 time by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at TROPICAL CUISINE?: The most frequently cited violations at TROPICAL CUISINE are: Employee health policy, Time as control, Chemical properly stored.

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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: September 16, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with TROPICAL CUISINE.