Restaurant inspections: 10 things to know about them in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape, Bonita

Note to readers: The News-Press and Naples Daily News are providing special coverage of food and dining this week. We will have interesting and unique Southwest Florida food and dining stories published on our websites from Sunday, April 28 to Sunday, May 5. Bon Appetit!

With thousands of restaurants in Southwest Florida, the possibilities are endless when deciding where to go out to eat.

Yet some restaurants provide a much safer food environment than others. At the Naples Daily News and the News-Press, we provide readers with weekly restaurant inspections in Collier and Lee counties so readers can make informed decisions.

More: 'Weird' pizza toppings: We found grasshoppers, Peeps, waffle fries and more on SWFL menus

And some may not know that people are twice as likely to get food poisoning by eating at a restaurant than at home, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has reported. Formed in 1971, the Center is an independent, science-based consumer advocacy organization focused on improving the food system to support healthy eating.

Here are10 things to know about restaurant inspections :

What agency inspects restaurants in Florida?

Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments.

Are Florida restaurants required to report violations?

Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So that's why we provide that information for you weekly.

How often do inspectors visit a Florida restaurant?

The Florida DBPR requires two inspections per year. These scheduled inspections are never scheduled and often occur without notice. Restaurants sometimes are inspected more than that. And besides restaurants, inspectors review operations at food trucks and caterers.

What happens when a Florida restaurant is shut down because of a bad inspection?

A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license. If the restaurant has not complied, it will remain closed until it does.

Are new Florida restaurants inspected before opening?

Yes, as some of our restaurant inspections will show in the list of those receiving perfect inspections.

What is an inspection report?

The Florida DBPR describes an inspection report as a "snapshot" of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment.

Is there a national food inspection code?

There's no federal standard food code regulation. Check with your local health department for food code regulations in your state. It's up to every state to decide how to set up its food code regulations.

How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida?

If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online .

What are terms inspectors use, what they mean

• Basic violations : Those considered against best practices.
• Warning : Issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.
• Administrative complaint : A a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over."
• Emergency order : This is when a restaurant is closed by the inspector and is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.

What 4 areas are inspectors checking

• Foodborne illness risk factors and public health interventions : This means food protection during preparation, storage, and display.
• Good retail practices : Examples include rooms and equipment that must have proper ventilation.
• Food temperatures : They shouldn't fall below 41 and 135 degrees, as those temperatures are where food becomes susceptible to bacteria.
• Other items related to proper business operation : One example would be inspecting the restaurant or food truck's primary water source.

You can use our database to search by county or by restaurant name .

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on X (formerly Twitter) @NDN_dosborn .

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Restaurant inspections: 10 things to know about them in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape, Bonita