Miami Taco Restaurant Shut Down After Health Inspector Finds 50 Rodent Droppings
A Miami-area taco restaurant was immediately closed after a state inspector discovered a significant rodent infestation, including 50 droppings, throughout the establishment. The inspection at La Santa taquería, located at 2699 Biscayne Boulevard, revealed seven violations, two of which were deemed high priority.
The restaurant successfully passed a reinspection on Wednesday, reportedly after the rodents “moved to a new location,” a sardonic observation highlighting the transient nature of pest control challenges.
According to the inspection report from Tuesday, the inspector first observed a hole in the wall behind the mop sink. Near this opening,10 rodent droppings were counted on a wooden panel in the kitchen’s mop sink area. A further search revealed approximately 40 rodent droppings on the floor of the dry food storage area, adjacent to the kitchen.
The inspector also noted standing water in the drain beneath the kitchen’s three-compartment sink, as well as the drain by the handwashing sink – conditions conducive to bacterial growth. Additionally, an employee was observed preparing meat in the kitchen without any hair protection, a potential health hazard.
The findings underscore the critical importance of consistent food safety standards in restaurants.While the restaurant was allowed to reopen after addressing the immediate concerns, the incident raises questions about the ongoing maintainance and preventative measures in place to avoid future infestations.
David J. Neal,a veteran reporter with the Miami herald since 1989,has covered a wide range of topics,from sports and animation to fraud and food safety. He noted that his work is supported by digital subscriptions, emphasizing the importance of local journalism.
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