China Express
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2026
90
Score
China Express has been inspected 11 times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 10, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near three violations per visit.
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Lake Wales restaurants. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2026
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Operator has new shelves available for replacement **Corrective Action Taken**
14-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle touching sugar, operator removed with gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
90
Nov 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Operator placed soap at handwashing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters
23-03-4
86
Mar 12, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Enoz - B
41-05-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook on cook line Operator put on hair restraint. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Ice machine lid cracked.
14-38-4
67
Oct 22, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-22: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. By mop sink - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-22: **Time Extended**
36-22-4
90
Aug 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Sarah
53B-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. By mop sink
36-22-4
82
Feb 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler. Raw shell eggs over krab ragoons. Operator removed raw shell eggs from over krab ragoons. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Two open cans with straw in it on the top shelf in walk-in cooler over restaurant food. Operator removed opened cans. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
82
Jan 3, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-03: Shane J Rivera in the process of taking exam will email with score. **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
90
Oct 30, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand wash sink front counter. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Secured tanks. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
51-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
67
Jun 12, 2023
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
82
Mar 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Green Vape pen on prep area in back kitchen. Employee removed item. **Corrected On-Site**
41-04-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under wok station in back kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk-in freezer. Four Soy sauce buckets on the floor in the back kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Groove green Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On storage area. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Above ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
36-62-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Above prep area by service window. **Repeat Violation**
38-01-4
67
Nov 17, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed dish soap next to the chicken soup base mix. Employee removed and put next to the chemicals. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed bucket in with soap and water sitting in the hand wash sink. Employee moved bucket from sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable kitchen area.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed open water bottle stored next to vegetables. Employee moved his water bottle to employee area. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris underneath wok station.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor in walk-in freezer. (Two boxes) employee moved two boxes off the floor. Observed four buckets of soy sauce on the floor in prep area. Employee moved soy sauce off the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Light not functioning in main kitchen prep cook area three of the lights areas.
36-62-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Light shield missing in kitchen prep area.
38-01-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China Express on file is from Mar 10, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China Express?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at China Express.
How does China Express compare to other restaurants in Lake Wales?
China Express most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is about the same as the Lake Wales average of 90.
Has China Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at China Express have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at China Express means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is China Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, China Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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