Merlos Fruteria
131 N Brevard Ave, Arcadia, FL 34266 · Permanent Food Service · License 2400328
What drove the grade
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Aug 24 routine inspection3 intermediate (1 fixed on the spot), 3 basic-11
- Safety score89
Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error
Inspection history
1 inspection · 1 visitRoutine inspection
- First visitAug 24, 2026 No follow-up needed
Met the state's inspection standards; the inspector didn't need to come back. Any violations cited still count toward the grade.
6 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
Intermediate3
Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening.
Observed milk, per owner opened yesterday and not date marked.
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days opened commercially processed, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food 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 two containers of raw pork in reach in freezer, per operator pork was prepared and placed last Saturday, 8/22/26, owner date marked.
Fixed on the spot
Code 16, Dishwashing facilities and test kits: No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Basic3
Code 05, Thermometers provided and accurate: No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit.
Observed no ambient thermometer in reach in freezer at front, owner put one in there.
Fixed on the spot
Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Observed microwave in kitchen with food debris in it.
Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Plumbing system in disrepair.
Observed handle for the cold water very loose on hand washing sink in kitchen.
Reading this report
Priority levels
- High priority The problems most likely to make someone sick directly.
- Intermediate Could lead to a high-priority problem if not fixed.
- Basic Best practices and general upkeep.
Terms in the inspectors’ reports
- Time/temperature control for safety food
- Food that has to be kept hot, at 135°F or above, or cold, at 41°F or below, to stay safe: meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, cooked rice and beans, cut melons and the like.
- Ready-to-eat food
- Food eaten without further cooking, such as salads, sandwiches, deli meats and cooked dishes.
- Ambient temperature
- The air temperature inside a cooler or holding unit, rather than the food’s own.