
Coral Square Mall in Coral Springs.
By Ryan Yousefi
A Coral Springs fast food restaurant has been ordered to stop service and close its doors due to an alarming insect infestation.
Popeyes restaurant, located at 9469 West Atlantic Boulevard inside of the Coral Square Mall, was recently ordered to shut down on December 18 due to multiple critical health violations discovered by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
According to the inspector’s report, a review of the restaurant discovered an alarming number of live, small flying insects in various areas of the restaurant, including the kitchen, food preparation, storage areas, and bar area.
The inspection report details the infestation, which was even present in a central kitchen office near the CO2 tanks. Live flying insects were found around the tanks, landing on walls and clean aprons.
The situation was worse in the central kitchen’s single storage and clean utensil shelf, where many live flying insects were found flying around shelves and landing on clean service utensils, cases of single service bags, spoons, and even the ceiling.
The report indicates more insects were found flying near the mop sink and various other areas, but, most concerningly, the central kitchen’s raw chicken prep station.
Inspectors claim live flying insects were found landing on the bottom of a prep shelf over open egg batter, seasoned flour, and raw chicken.
According to the report, the discovery raises serious questions about the restaurant’s adherence to hygiene and sanitation standards that are crucial in the food service industry.
Such a high number of insects in areas where food is prepared and stored poses a significant risk to food safety and could potentially lead to foodborne illnesses, which led to Popeye’s closure.
The report states that restaurant management must address these issues comprehensively before they can consider reopening.
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