Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante
Last inspected: Feb 25, 2026
43
Score
Public records show seven inspections at Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante stretching back to 2022. On Feb 25, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around four violations to closer to 12 violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Restaurants in Ocala average 78, so Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante trails the local norm. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
7
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 25, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in rewash-in cooler across from cook line: butter (49F - Cold Holding). Manager stated butter placed in cooler three hours and thirty minutes prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed proper,oven butter to reach-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Lobster stored over soup in walk-in cooler. Manager placed lobster on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils stored in water on cook line grill, 105F. Manager turned heat up on grill to heat water to 165F. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-05-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach-in coolers throughout the kitchen stained. Bin for ice machine in wait station soiled with mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Wash solution in spray-type chemical warewasher less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Dish machine wash cycle, 96F. **Repeat Violation**
16-53-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee breakfast burrito stored in reach-in freezer in front of walk-in cooler. Manager removed burrito during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf above reach-in cooler across from cook line. Manager removed drink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers stored on shelf across from three compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Containers stored on shelf across from three compartment sink.
16-46-4
43
Sep 10, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw steak stored over cooked chicken wings in reach-in cooler across from cook line. Manage4 placed steak on bottom shelf. Shell eggs stored over marinara sauce in walk-in cooler. Manager placed eggs on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in reach-in cooler across from cook line: mozzarella cheese (45F - Cold Holding). Manager stated cheese placed in cooler one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed cheese farther down in cooler to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Anchovies stored in reach-in cooler at end of cook line. Manager stated anchovies opened on 9/8. Manager placed proper date marked on anchovies.
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Establishment has no written procedure available. Inspector provided operator with written procedure. Manager printed and posted written procedure. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cook line reach-in coolers. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Pan stored in hand washing sink next to dish area. Employee removed pan during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Lasagna stored in walk-in cooler. Manager stated lasagna prepared on 9/8. Manager placed proper date marked on lasagna. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Wash solution in spray-type chemical warewasher less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash solution in dish machine reached 109F.
16-53-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Containers stored on shelf across from cook line. Manager discarded containers during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Containers stored on prep table across from walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on prep table with slicer. Manager placed wiping cloth with old wiping cloths in storage area. **Corrective Action Taken**
21-12-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents above kitchen wait line.
36-34-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Marinara sauce stored in walk-in cooler. Manager had employee place lids on containers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Aluminum to go pans and lids stored in room outside of walk-in cooler. Manager turned items over. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored between reach-in cooler and prep table at end of cook line. Manager removed knife during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
29
Mar 27, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. The following items and cold holding temperatures in the Walk-in Cooler: Cooked Marinara sauce 52F; Cooked ground beef 52F -cooked two days earlier and placed in Walk-in-cooler to cool.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw scallops stored overcooked pasta in reach in cooler. Frozen Chicken in zip lock bags stored over raw beef in reach in freezer. Raw shelled eggs stored over boxed créme. Manager inverted all the items
08A-05-6
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. The following items and cooling temperatures in the Walk-in Cooler: Cooked Marinara sauce 52F; Cooked ground beef 52F -cooked two days earlier and placed in walk-in-cooler to cool.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of tums stored on soft drink syrup boxes. Manager removed tums **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Observed person in charge has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal incident if vomit or diarrhea is discharged on any surfaces in the establishment. Inspector provided vomitting and diarrhea procedure.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance on the inside food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda gun dispensing machine at bar.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice in kitchen handwash sink
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Four out of seventeen food handler certificates not completed with either missing trainer name and number or expiration date.
53B-10-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handle used to dispense food (sugar and flour). Manager removed bowls **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Cooking utensils with food contact surface up. Manager instructed dishwasher to rewash and stored inverted **Corrective Action Taken**
24-05-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoophandle in sugar touching sugar. Manager raised handle off product. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooking utensils on cook line in standing water of 98F
10-07-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of food removed ( sugar ) from original container not labeled with name of contents. Manager had container labeled **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
29
Oct 21, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 15, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed four rodent dropping by water heater, two dropping by dry goods storage area and two dropping by on tap cooler at bar. **Warning**
35A-04-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not properly labeled with identifying contents ( bleach ). Manager labeled bottle **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mold like substance on the inside food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda gun dispensing machine at bar.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test strips for three-compartment sink or dishmachine
16-37-1
Intermediate - No hot running water at three-compartment sink. No hot water at establishment due to lack of gas. **Warning**
27-06-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels or soap at hand wash sink
31B-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured behind establishment.
51-11-4
Basic - Establishment using sponges on cleaned and sanitized, or in-use food-contact surface. Establishment using sponge on in-use food-contact surface at three-compartment sink. Manager discarded sponge. **Corrected On-Site**
21-23-4
47
Sep 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw meat stored over ready to ear ice cream.. Manager placed ice cream on top shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed person in charge had No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured in kitchen and bar. Manager secured all tanks **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Establishment using sponges on cleaned and sanitized, or in-use food-contact surface. Observed establishment using sponge on in-use food-contact surface at three-compartment sink.
21-23-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handle. Manager removed tongs from oven handle. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
67
Dec 12, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Priority: High Priority Observed: 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 0 ppm at the dish wash machine. The system was primed, and achieved 70 ppm at 133F. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Priority: High Priority Observed: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over sliced ham, in the upright reach-in cooler. The eggs were moved. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Priority: Basic Observed: Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed the co2 tanks inside are not secure. A bungee cord was added. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Priority: Basic Observed: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the area over the soda nozzles has dried syrup.
23-03-4
Basic - Priority: Basic Observed: No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed 2 units lacking Ambient air thermometers, in the kitchen.
05-09-4
Basic - Priority: Basic Observed: Equipment in poor repair. Observed the first hand wash sink in the kitchen, the handle that produces cold water does not work. A work order has been placed, parts are being ordered. **Corrective Action Taken**
14-11-5
Basic - Priority: Basic Observed: Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed in the employee unisex restroom, no trash receptacle. A lidded receptacle was added. **Corrected On-Site**
32-12-5
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante on file is from Feb 25, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante.
How does Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante have averaged around 12 violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bella Cosa Italian Ristorante is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants