Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida

2881 Clark Rd Ste 25, Sarasota, FL 34231

Frozen Desserts

Last inspected: Sep 26, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 26, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.

Across the inspection history, “single-service articles improperly stored” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

The city-wide average sits at 81, which Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida's 74 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 26, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a canister of glass cleaner stored on a table near a box of ice cream cones near the custard machine. The glass cleaner was properly stored. **Corrected On-Site**

41-10-4

Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed a sanitizer bucket stored on a food preparation table near the blenders. The sanitizer bucket was properly stored. **Corrected On-Site**

21-44-1

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed plastic food service containers stored on the floor in the storage shed.

25-05-4

Basic - The rear exit not protected with self-closing doors. **Repeat Violation**

35B-03-4

Aug 9, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure

FL-25

Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration

FL-33

Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved

FL-35

Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored

FL-41

Food Temperature Measuring Devices Provided and Accurate

FL-46

Nov 20, 2023

Food-Licensing Inspection

No violations found.

100

May 22, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.

View 11 violations

Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events

FL-05

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures

FL-21

Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure

FL-25

Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used

FL-32

Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place

FL-36

Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored

FL-41

Toilet Rooms Maintained

FL-53

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Dec 22, 2022

Routine - Food

3 major violations. 12 minor violations.

View 15 violations

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test kit for the three compartment sink.

16-37-1

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink in the front kitchen area. Operator stoked the hand wash sink with paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-02-4

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed no hot water at hand wash sink in the dish area.

27-16-4

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to go plastic ware not stored inverted.

25-06-4

Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves with rust and pitted. **Repeat Violation**

14-17-4

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed multiple wet wiping cloths throughout the kitchen not stored in sanitizing solution. **Repeat Violation**

21-12-4

Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed flushing mechanism in mens room in disrepair unable to flush the toilet.

29-08-4

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed the ceiling and ceiling vents with an accumulation of dust. **Repeat Violation**

36-34-5

Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. **Repeat Violation**

32-12-5

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed expired license displayed at the front counter.

50-09-4

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed damage to floor tiles throughout the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**

36-17-5

Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed scoop handle used for chicken salad not stored above food.

10-06-5

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer in reach in cooler near the slicer. Operator placed thermometer in cooling unit. **Corrected On-Site**

05-09-4

Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed stand up reach in cooler shelves with rust and pitted. **Repeat Violation**

14-33-4

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed single service to go cup stored on floor in dry storage shed. Operator properly stored the cups. **Corrected On-Site**

25-05-4

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida on file is from Sep 26, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida?

Across the inspection record, “single-service articles improperly stored” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida.

How does Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?

Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.

Has Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida 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 Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida is inspected around two times per year on average.

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