7 Publix Super Markets Fail State Inspections
Publix Super Markets have made a name for themselves as being known as “where shopping is a pleasure.” That snappy jingle may not be exactly true for some Bay area Publix’s.
About half a dozen local Publix Super Markets have failed the latest safety inspection. Some violations more serious than others included the evidence of rodents, ants and food at dangerous temperatures.
Majority of customers didn’t even know about the latest safety scare at the popular store. Food safety inspectors with the Department of Agriculture found rodent dropping behind a pallet in the back storage area.
The South Tampa Britton Plaza Publix was one of the seven included in the failed inspections. After inspection the state demanded the store throw out 20 pounds of sandwich meats after discovering they were stored under a leaking drain-line and were contaminated.
That was a big violation for the popular southern store chain that is known for their affordable subs and meals in the deli part of the store.
At another Publix located at 1313 South Dale Mabry Highway near Neptune, ABC Action News uncovered the inspector’s destruction order of 200 pounds of food in a cooler near the deli due to dangerous temperatures that could make the consumer sick.
Inspectors also observed employees not washing their hands nor wearing gloves during food prep.
The Publix on 8975 Race Track Road had fly glue strips hanging overposed food, such as bread and bakery items. Live ants were seen on the walls and food like salads and chicken wings were being chilled at 50 degrees when they should be kept at 41 degrees or colder.
The Publix at 19221 North Dale Mabry Highway didn’t pass their inspection because of temperature violations as well. 100 pounds of food were kept at the wrong temperatures and needed to be destroyed.
The Lutz Publix at 16560 North Nebraska Avenue failed its inspections due to unsanitary equipment throughout the kitchen. That store also kept their sandwiches, childen and wild rice, chicken noodle soup, chili with beans, and more at unsafe temperatures.
In Manatee County the Lakewood Ranch’s Publix on Market Street failed die to contaminated food from not being protected and for being stored with an open bin of bread spattered with raw chicken juice, fresh baked goods in contact with garbage, and subs left at unsafe temperatures.
In Bradenton the Publix at 4651 Cortez Road West failed because the refrigerated display cases in the dairy, meat and seafood departments were not working properly with food inside at dangerous levels.
- 3838 Britton Plaza, Tampa
- 1313 South Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
- 8975 Race Track Road, Tampa
- 19221 North Dale Mabry, Lutz
- 16560 North Nebraska Avenue, Lutz
- 8330 Market St, Bradenton
- 4651 Cortez Road-West, Bradenton
“Food safety is a top priority at Publix. We differentiate ourselves from our competitors by offering a wide variety of fresh, quality products to our customers. Many of those products are made fresh daily in our stores. All associates who work in our fresh product environments complete extensive training on how to safely prepare our products. In fact, we have been recognized for our proactive approach to food safety, receiving the Black Pearl Award for Food Safety and Quality from the International Association for Food Protection in 2013. Last year, we were recognized with the Quality Achievement Award from the Safe Quality Foods Institute.
We work closely with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to address any food safety related issues and ensure that our associates are following the most current food handling and food safety guidelines. In 2015, FDACS enacted changes to the inspection rating process that were implemented without industry or public feedback. We have requested updated information on the state’s food safety standards and expectations; unfortunately we have not received an updated inspection standards manual since 1999. We remain committed to working with FDACS in addressing industry concerns related to the inspections process.
Brian West
Media and Community Relations Manager
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Publix Statement from ABC Action News.