Zen Deli
Last inspected: Oct 3, 2025
70
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Zen Deli stretching back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Oct 3, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around six violations to closer to four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
The city-wide average sits at 80, which Zen Deli's 70 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Operator changed and primed sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with dust. Ice machine vents.
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
70
Jul 2, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 1, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach crawling on floor underneath dish machine. Observed 1 live roach behind mop sink. **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one 6lb can of mushrooms dented. Operator separated to be returned to distributor. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
01B-01-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach on floor underneath dish machine. **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of dead insects in control devices. Educated operator on importance of removing insect control devices. Operator removed devices. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35A-06-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. **Warning**
12B-12-5
61
Nov 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
61
Aug 28, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed chlorine concentration at 0 ppm. Operator added new sanitizer and primed sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat dressings in walk in cooler. Operator placed raw shell eggs on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Educated operator on importance of having chlorine test strips. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Hand wash sink near ice machine.
29-09-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in cooler near ice machine.
14-69-4
61
Jan 3, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed tofu 46F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator turned down reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed trays and containers stored in hand wash sink in dishwash area. Operator removed containers. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed precooked chopped frozen chicken not date marked in walk in freezer.
02C-04-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed containers/boxes of food stored on floor in walk in cooler/freezer.
08B-47-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar bin.
02D-01-5
52
Oct 17, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 17, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
30
Nov 2, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed cold cut turkey, ham, and roast beef date marked 10/22/22 passed 7 days. Stop Sale. Operator discarded cold cuts. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning**
29-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Soup 47F cold hold, tofu 47F cold hold, raw beef 47F cold hold less than 4 hours. Operator placed time/temperature control for safety foods in walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic container stored in hand wash sink in dishwash area. Educated operator on importance of hand wash sink only. Operator removed container. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning**
53A-07-6
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. **Warning**
12B-12-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed purse stored on shelving near food items. Educated operator on importance of proper storage of employee personal items. Operator removed purse. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Operator fixed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed hot water temperature at 78F. Operator dumped out water. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink near ice machine. Operator made and posted sign. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed reuse of single-use cardboard to store wrappers/containers. **Warning**
25-32-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
25-06-4
Basic - Box containing roll/sheets of aluminum foil/plastic wrap/parchment paper/deli tissues has old food debris/soil residue inside. **Warning**
25-25-4
29
Jul 5, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed repackaged cold cut turkey and ham dated 06/24/22. Operator discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed milk 49F cold hold and half half 48F cold hold overnight. Stop Sale. Operator discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Observed quaternary ammonium concentration at 400+ppm. Operator redid sanitizer. Rechecked concentration at 300ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-18-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand wash sink at front service area used to fill container with water. Educated operator on importance of hand wash sink only. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed sunglasses and box of band aids stored on shelving near food items. Operator removed sunglasses and box of band aids. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink in food prep area near ice machine.
31B-04-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zen Deli last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Zen Deli on file is from Oct 3, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Zen Deli?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Zen Deli.
How does Zen Deli compare to other restaurants in Fort Myers?
Zen Deli most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Myers average of 80.
Has Zen Deli's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Zen Deli have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Zen Deli 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 Zen Deli inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Zen Deli is inspected around three times per year on average.
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