Fruteria El Tropical
Last inspected: Mar 30, 2026
78
Score
Across the available record, Fruteria El Tropical has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Fruteria El Tropical was last inspected on Mar 30, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near five violations each time.
Looking across the full record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
Among Fort Myers restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed towel inside hand washing sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed sides of equipment with buildup of food debris.
23-03-4
78
Jun 12, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed ServeSafe Manager expired 06/02/2020. **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board with buildup of dried food on prep table. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-09-4
74
Jan 9, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12/01/2024.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed lid in hand washing sink. Operator removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
Basic - Food stored outside. Observed case of mangoes stored outside truck on a table.
08B-42-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed inside of microwave with buildup of food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle service opening not kept closed except during food service.
35B-14-4
64
Apr 23, 2024
Complaint Full
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed water filter hose attached to hand washing sink. - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-23: **Time Extended**
31A-11-4
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. Operator stated this form was at home. Provided operator another printed copy and signed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-23: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
82
Feb 23, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade hose conveying potable water.
29-04-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed operator wash hands in three compartment sink. Discussed proper hand washing practices with operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
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. Operator stated they put sign in folder and could not locate it during inspection. Provided operator another printed copy during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed water filter hose attached to hand washing sink.
31A-11-4
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. Operator stated this form was at home. Provided operator another printed copy and signed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
55
Dec 20, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
41
Jun 5, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
64
Jun 2, 2023
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 7 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cooked pork (47F - Cold Holding); Cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); Cooked beef (52F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler across from service window. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 15-20 small flying insects coming out of crate of unwashed onions landing on prep table and pots stored under counter. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee change gloves between tasks without washing hands. Discussed proper hand washing practices with operator. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed shell eggs over hot dogs in reach in cooler. Operator moved eggs to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Cooked pork (47F - Cold Holding); Cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); Cooked beef (52F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler across from service window. Operator discarded items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 4-6 live roaches in a pot on the floor in front of truck by reach in coolers. Observed approximately 3-5 live roaches on wall behind shelf with paper to go trays and styrofoam trays. Observed approximately 3-5 live roaches on floor go under prep table with microwave. **Warning**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed Cooked pork made yesterday no date mark. **Warning**
02C-02-5
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. Provided Operator with Clean up Form DBPR HR 5030-104 via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed plastic bottles and cucumbers stored in hand washing sink. Operator removed from sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Operator stated she cannot locate Certified Food Manager card. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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. Operator stated they moved paperwork and cannot locate. **Warning**
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. Provided Operator with Employee Reporting Agreement DBPR Form HR 5030-103 via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until sanitizer is available for warewashing. Operator stated they have some on another truck. **Warning**
22-38-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 90-100 dead roaches on a glue trap under microwave. **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Food stored outside. Observed crate of fruit and vegetables stored outside truck. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-42-4
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Observed light shield missing on lights over flat top and cutting board. **Warning**
38-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup of food in microwave. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed styrofoam to go containers not inverted on shelf above three compartment sink. Operator inverted during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
25-06-4
16
Dec 13, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over ready to eat bread. Operator moved eggs to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed fruit and utensils in hand washing sink. Operator removed from sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk sugar unlabeled in plastic container on shelf above prep sink.
02D-01-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed styrofoam containers not inverted on reach in cooler. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Food stored outside. Observed crates of unwashed produce outside of truck.
08B-42-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed lid used as scoop in bulk sugar. No handle. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Fruteria El Tropical last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Fruteria El Tropical on file is from Mar 30, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Fruteria El Tropical?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Fruteria El Tropical.
How does Fruteria El Tropical compare to other restaurants in Fort Myers?
Fruteria El Tropical most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Fort Myers average of 80.
Has Fruteria El Tropical's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Fruteria El Tropical have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Fruteria El Tropical 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 Fruteria El Tropical inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Fruteria El Tropical is inspected around three times per year on average.
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