Restaurant busted for passing off cheaper fish for white tuna

Escolar often mislabeled in both restaurants, fish markets

Courtesy: Google Maps

KEY LARGO, Fla. – State records show a Key Largo restaurant was leading customers to believe they were eating something they weren't.

Last week, Sushi Nami in Key Largo was cited for serving up escolar as white tuna.

Recommended Videos



Escolar is sometimes referred to as the "ex-lax" fish because of possible side effects.

Symptoms range from stomach cramps to rapid loose bowel movements, occurring 30 minutes to 36 hours after eating it.

Escolar is often mislabeled in both restaurants and at fish markets.

The governments of Canada, Sweden and Denmark require that all escolar come with warning labels.

Westside Bagels in Pinecrest and Columbus Restaurant on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach were also ordered shut last week due to roach issues.

Records show this is the second time Columbus has been ordered shut.

Below is a list of places and some of their violations. All the places listed were allowed to re-open following an ordered clean up and re-inspection.

Westside Bagels

12729 S. Dixie Highway

Pinecrest

Ordered shut July 13

23 violations

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 10 live roaches in proof unit ( Humidifier for bagels ). According to operator unit is not being use. Located in kitchen area."

"Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine."

"Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine."

"Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs over fries."

"Slicer blade guard soiled with old food debris."

Sushi Nami

99470 Overseas Highway

Key Largo

Ordered shut July 13

37 violations

"Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found throughout kitchen, dishwasher area, prep area, sushi station, kitchen...to numerous too count...ranging from moist to semi moist. Location open to the public at inspection time."

"Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Throughout kitchen, dishwasher area, prep area, sushi station, kitchen...to numerous too count...ranging from moist to semi moist. Location open to the public at inspection time."

"Establishment advertised white tuna on the menu/menu board but served another type of fish. Using escolar for white tuna."

"Food-contact surfaces encrusted with grease and/or soil deposits."

"Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded."

"Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands."

"Accumulation of debris inside ware washing machine."

"Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine."

"Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored."

"Garbage not placed in a receptacle for storage until pick up to make the garbage inaccessible to insects and rodents."

"Objectionable odor in establishment."

Columbus Restaurant

736 Ocean Drive

Miami Beach

Inspection based on complaint

Ordered shut July 12

32 violations found

Also ordered shut Oct. 6, 2015

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found in kitchen areas . Under Oven observed two live roaches, observed approximately 10 live roaches around food containers in shelves located at the food preparation area, observed approximately 20 live roaches between loose wall panel next to food preparation area , observed 2 live roaches crawling over walk in cooler door . Food Establishment open to the Public."

"Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands."

"Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized."

"Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature in walk-in cooler. Poultry over beef."

"Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items."

Bakery Cafe

8250 NE Second Ave.

Miami

Ordered shut July 13

26 violations found

"Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains in the kitchen area and the drain on the outside back door area."

"Objectionable odor in establishment."

"Interior of oven has heavy accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris."

"Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in reach-in cooler. Raw fish/ cooked pork."

"Hand wash sink not accessible for employee use due to being blocked by garbage can."

"No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees."