By Ryan Yousefi
A Coral Springs bagel shop that was ordered to undergo follow-up inspections after a food and safety inspection discovered multiple serious code violations has responded to the violations.
A recent food and safety health inspection has Family Bagels of Long Island, located at 5906 Coral Ridge Drive, in hot water after inspectors discovered ten violations.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has ordered an immediate follow-up inspection to ensure Family Bagles of Long Island corrects serious issues discovered during a recent inspection, including live small flying insects found throughout various restaurant areas.
Inspectors noted in the report that the live insects were seen landing on single-service items, clean dishes in the back prep area, walls above food preparation tables, and shelves with food and single-service items at the front bagel station.
The dining area was also affected, with small flying insects witnessed by inspectors landing on dining tables.
The report also notes serious hygiene concerns, most concerningly ceiling tiles found to be soiled above clean dish racks by the dish area and major issues related to the ice machine’s cleanliness.
Inspectors wrote in the report that they found an accumulation of black and green mold-like substances was discovered in the interior of the ice machine/bin. It was noted to be a repeat violation, as a previous inspection had noted similar concerns.
Temperature control for the safety of food items was another major area of concern in the report, as inspectors were forced to issue a Stop Sale order due to food discovered being held at temperatures greater than the recommended 41 degrees.
According to the report, a reach-in cooler by the cook line, which contained diced ham, cooked green peppers, diced tomatoes, cooked mushrooms, cooked onions, sliced cheese, and sliced tomatoes, was being held at temperatures anywhere from 10-15 degrees above temperatures that are deemed safe.
The violation was especially concerning to inspectors because the food items were not prepared on the same day, meaning they had been held out of temperature overnight.
Similar temperature violations were discovered in another cooler, including eggs held at temperatures too warm to be considered safe.
The inspection also discovered raw animal food being held near ready-to-eat food items, including in a reach-in cooler where raw salmon was found stored over sliced tomatoes.
As a result of these multiple violations, inspectors issued a follow-up inspection to ensure corrective actions were taken.
In an Aug 8, 2023 letter to Coral Springs Talk, Family Bagels addresses the issues.
Dear Valued Family Bagels Customers,
We would like to address a recent incident that came to our attention during a routine health inspection at Family Bagels of Long Island. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience or concern this may have caused you.
The health and safety of our customers have always been our top priority, and we take these matters very seriously. During the inspection, it was brought to our attention that there was an issue with fruit flies that were inadvertently brought in with fresh oranges meant for juicing. We understand the importance of maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, and we regret that this incident occurred. We have taken immediate action to rectify the situation. We engaged the services of a professional exterminating company to address the issue promptly and thoroughly. Their expertise allowed us to eradicate the fruit flies and take preventive measures to ensure that such incidents do not become a recurring issue. The inspector came back two days later and noted in the report that there were zero flying insects. Our exterminators are continuing to work to prevent any further issues.
Regarding the issue of raw animal food being stored near ready-to-eat items, we want to assure you that the specific item mentioned in the report, smoked nova, is actually a cooked product. At no point was anyone at risk for bacteria from an uncooked source. However, we acknowledge that proper storage and separation are crucial, and we have taken measures to reinforce our food storage practices to prevent any potential cross-contamination issues.
We want to clarify that we were never ordered to close by the health department for these issues due to the fact that these issues were not critical. The inspector left it up to us to rectify the situation. We remained open and operational throughout. We assure you that our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and food safety persisted without interruption.
In the spirit of transparency and caution, we want to share that we encountered a power outage on Easter Sunday, which led to the decision to close temporarily. As an extra precautionary measure, we opted to discard all refrigerated items to ensure that no compromised items would be served. This instance underscores our unwavering commitment to your safety and well-being.
We understand the trust you place in us when you choose to dine at Family Bagels of Long Island. We want to assure you that we are committed to upholding the highest standards of hygiene and food safety. Our family eats here every day and we treat our customers’ health and safety as if you were part of our family. We have already reviewed and reinforced our processes for inspecting and handling incoming produce to prevent any similar occurrences in the future.
Once again, we apologize for any concern or inconvenience this situation may have caused you. We appreciate your continued support and patronage. If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at (954) 755-4600. We are dedicated to ensuring your dining experience with us is exceptional in every aspect.
Thank you for your understanding and continued trust.
Sincerely,
Steve Corn, Michael Schatt, and Neal Schatt
Owners and Operators of Family Bagels of Long Island
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