A Jamaican restaurant was closed for a day last week after it was cited for at least 31 health code violations including the presence of roach activity and dozens of pounds of goat and oxtail that were being stored at too high of a temperature.
Reggae Riddim Jamaican Restaurant, which is located at 819 S Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka, was forced to temporarily close its doors on Monday, October 9, after failing a health inspection conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
According to the inspector’s report, the restaurant was cited for 31 health code violations, including at least 5 considered high priority.
Among the high priority violations was the presence of roach activity, as evidenced by at least 10 roaches found crawling around various parts of the kitchen.
Additionally, the inspector issued a stop sale for 20 pounds of goat and 20 pounds of ox tail. According to the report, the goat was being stored at 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and the ox tail was being stored at 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, the restaurant was cited for keeping ox tail and goat that were cooked the previous day at 67 and 69 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively.
Cold food must be held at temperatures no greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the FDBPR. Cooked food must be cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit, according to FDBPR.
The restaurant was reinspected the following day and was permitted to reopen after only eight violations were found.