Moldy Meat and Warm Chicken: Walmart Neighborhood Market Faces Inspection Troubles in Florida

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If you’ve recently shopped at the Walmart Neighborhood Market on East Sheridan Street in Dania Beach, you might want to double-check your purchases. A recent inspection by the Florida Department of Agriculture revealed some alarming issues, including moldy meat and improperly stored chicken.

What Happened?

On Tuesday, state inspectors Francis Odio and Ashley Montanez Bradshaw conducted a routine check at the Dania Beach Walmart, and the results were far from ideal. The inspection, although brief—only four pages long with eight violations—highlighted serious concerns that led to the store receiving the lowest possible grade: “Re-Inspection Required.” This means the inspectors will be back before September 3 to see if the store has addressed the problems.

The Issues Found

One of the most concerning findings was in the meat section. Inspectors discovered a package of marinated ribs with visible white, mold-like substances. Needless to say, that package was immediately flagged with a Stop Sale order.

But the problems didn’t stop there. In the open-air cooler near the deli, rotisserie chickens were being stored at temperatures ranging from 43 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit—higher than the safe limit of 41 degrees. This temperature discrepancy could lead to bacterial growth, making the chicken unsafe to eat. Consequently, several packs of chicken were also hit with Stop Sale orders.

In the backroom, the dairy walk-in cooler was found to have standing water on the floor, another potential hygiene and safety concern.

What’s Next?

With these issues now on record, the Walmart store has until early September to clean up its act before inspectors return. If the problems aren’t resolved by then, the store could face further penalties or even more serious consequences.

For shoppers, this serves as a reminder to always be vigilant about the condition of the food you purchase, especially when it comes to perishable items like meat and dairy. The inspection at this Walmart might be an isolated incident, but it underscores the importance of food safety in retail environments.

Stay tuned to see if the store passes its re-inspection, or if these issues indicate a deeper problem that needs addressing.