China Garden
Last inspected: Mar 24, 2026
61
Score
Across the available record, China Garden has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 24, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near five violations each time.
Across the inspection history, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
By comparison, the average Lakeland facility scores 85, putting China Garden on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 24, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed bags of cooked chicken stored in walk-in freezer - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-24: Is there frozen chicken to go bags and walk-in freezer **Admin Complaint**
14-31-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-24: Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. **Admin Complaint**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All Safe Staff food handler certifications expired - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-24: **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-24: No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. **Admin Complaint**
11-26-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-24: **Admin Complaint**
51-13-4
61
Jan 21, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed bags of cooked chicken stored in walk-in freezer
14-31-5
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed sanitizer bucket, stored in hand sink by front counter. Moved bucket to front counter. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All Safe Staff food handler certifications expired
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
11-26-1
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed multiple bowls in containers of starches and seasonings with no handle
14-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walking cooler racks soiled with accumulated mold like substance.
23-03-4
Basic - Observed 3 Employees with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
45
Aug 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener
22-02-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Open drink on prep table
12B-02-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping clothes on cutting board.
21-12-4
82
Jan 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Food stored chicken pieces in reachin freezer **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-14: Food stored chicken pieces in reachin freezer **Time Extended**
14-31-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Pint container in potato starch **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-14: Pint container in potato starch **Time Extended**
14-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between reachin cooler and prep table. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-14: Knives between reachin cooler and prep table. **Time Extended**
10-17-4
78
Nov 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Food stored chicken pieces in reachin freezer **Warning**
14-31-5
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 - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Pint container in potato starch **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Buckets of food on floor in reachin freezer. Bag of ice on floor. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between reachin cooler and prep table. **Warning**
10-17-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. To go containers stored on floor. **Warning**
25-05-4
61
Jul 23, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
70
Dec 19, 2023
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
86
Oct 19, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken wings 78 F and egg rolls 69F. We discussed time/temp control for food safety. Operator time the products. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using pint containers for scoop in bulk items ex corn starch, rice and sugar
14-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of food stored on floor in walk-in freezer
08B-38-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Men Bathroom
31B-04-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Black food containers stored on floor in backroom and in hallway.
25-05-4
70
Jun 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
78
Dec 16, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Storing lids in hand washing sink. Lid was removed from sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Above table by mop sink **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using pint container in bulk items as scoop ex sugar, rice and corn starch **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Several cases of food stored on floor in walk-in freezer.
08B-47-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives being stored between maketable and table on cookline. Employee removed knives. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk containers must be labeled. Ex corn starch
02D-01-5
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China Garden last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China Garden on file is from Mar 24, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China Garden?
Across the inspection record, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at China Garden.
How does China Garden compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
China Garden most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Lakeland average of 85.
Has China Garden's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at China Garden have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at China Garden means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is China Garden inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, China Garden is inspected around three times per year on average.
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