Tree of Life Cuban Bakery
Last inspected: Mar 16, 2026
33
Score
Tree of Life Cuban Bakery appears in inspection records 11 times, starting in 2022. On Mar 16, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around six violations to closer to 11 violations.
“Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
Tree of Life Cuban Bakery's latest score of 33 falls below the Palm Bay average of 76. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
4
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 16, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs over cooked bacon in small black refrigerator. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. small black refrigerator ; shelled eggs (60F - ambient ); French fries (49F - Cold Holding) both placed in the refrigerator less than four hours ago, moved to rapid chill.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Front hand wash sink and handwashing sink on cook line out of soap.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Melina has been working temp for more than 60 days with out proper training.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Water treatment device has not been inspected or serviced according to manufacturer's instructions. Ice maker water filter has no date on it.
29-28-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink near meat slicer has no hot water, handle just spins and doesn't open hot supplied water.
27-16-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Small black refrigerator frozen with ambient temp of 60f cold holding.
14-74-7
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Hot holding unit in front has torn gasket right door. Gaskets on make table. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer (white chest) in back storage room has ice build up on interior walls and bottom. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop handle in ice in front ice maker. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Make table gaskets soiled with mold like substance. Vent hood covers over griddle soiled with grease. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall and electrical outlets on cook line soiled with grease.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop not stored to dry in empty mop bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar bin not labeled in back room.
02D-01-5
33
Nov 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over cooked bacon sm black refrigerator **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Empty jugs of milk in sink **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Temporary interruption - no alternative supply of water provided. Hand sink in front being repaired today Other sinks operating nearby
27-01-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets reach make table
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Sm black refrigerator **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets reach make table **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Flour and lard baking area **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
50
Apr 22, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator renewed license during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Milk jug in sink **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup used to scoop salt **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Phone on sugar container **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Frying oil. Dry storage **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer
14-69-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Small black refrigerator
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Employee bathroom by walk in freezer Sent operator copy of sign to print and post **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-04-4
52
Nov 14, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 31, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-31: **Time Extended**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No handwash sink located in or immediately adjacent to bathroom. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-31: **Time Extended**
31A-06-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Employee bathroom - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-31: **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
78
Oct 29, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 7 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. meat empanada 85 F - hot holding; recommend rapid reheating of items
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw meat over dough reach in cooler
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sandwich make table- cut tomatoes 48 F - cold holding; cut lettuce 56 F - cold holding; ham 54 F - cold holding; sliced cheese 54 F - cold holding; shredded pork 54 F - cold holding; items placed in cooler 7:30 sound at 9:30. Recommend items be rapidly chilled in another cooler. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink next to make table
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Front hand sink next to coffee machine and sink next to 3 compartment sink evidence of use as a dump sink
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No handwash sink located in or immediately adjacent to bathroom. **Warning**
31A-06-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand sink next to espresso machine
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-13-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Employee bathroom
31B-04-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Powdered sugar
25-32-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Powdered sugar
02D-01-5
26
Apr 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Bleach in house only for clean not for sanitizing dishes. Operator had someone go to store. **Corrected On-Site**
22-48-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Flan made Wednesday **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
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. 2 jugs of milk opened **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager operator showed up during inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-13-5
55
Nov 17, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-17: Operator ordered test strips and they have yet to arrive **Time Extended**
16-37-1
90
Nov 15, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 6 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Milk 75
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Milk 75 out since Monday. French fries in cooler since 6am found at 9 recommend to rapid chill. Front line sandwich cooler Reach in cooler ; raw fish (46F - Cold Holding); sliced Turkey (48F - Cold Holding); sliced ham (49F - Cold Holding); **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Reach in cooler on the front line pulled pork (48F - cooling since yesterday) **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee handing cash while wearing gloves, cracking eggs remove gloves and no hand wash at all during inspection.
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Establishment preparing food using a method that has been determined by the Divisions of Hotels and Restaurants to require an approved variance from the Division. Establishment does not have an approved variance for the method observed in use during the inspection. Leaving milk out to make a dessert informed operator she will have to do Haccp a special process
03G-46-1
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front line hand sink by prep table blocked by table. **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine
16-37-1
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. 5 employees present. Manager showed up during inspection **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Original container of toxic substance or chemical does not bear the manufacturer's label. **Repeat Violation**
41-21-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Sandwich cooler and 2 door reach in cooler not maintaining 41F or below. Only has a walk in freezer to maintain temperature.
14-74-7
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw chicken thawing out at room temperature. Manager placed in pressure cooker to start cooking.
06-01-5
27
Apr 7, 2023
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sink blocked by trash can and table. In front **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dirty gloves in sink. Front counter **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Bakery prep area **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Water bakery prep area **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Small reach in cooler front
08B-49-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets sliding glass reach in cooler 2 door
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Corn syrup. Dry storage **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer
14-69-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Bakery prep area
38-07-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Make table in front
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets make table Gaskets small reach in cooler front **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Bakery prep area **Repeat Violation**
36-02-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
37
Aug 2, 2022
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
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. Milk not dated
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. New bakery area **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen vents and rails grids **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Pans above sink
24-05-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Shortening dry storage **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. On counter next to prep area **Corrected On-Site**
35B-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets reach in 2 door cooler Hood filters
23-03-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. New bakery area
36-02-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar front counter **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tree of Life Cuban Bakery last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tree of Life Cuban Bakery on file is from Mar 16, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tree of Life Cuban Bakery?
Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Tree of Life Cuban Bakery.
How does Tree of Life Cuban Bakery compare to other restaurants in Palm Bay?
Tree of Life Cuban Bakery most recently scored 33 out of 100, which is lower than the Palm Bay average of 76.
Has Tree of Life Cuban Bakery's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Tree of Life Cuban Bakery have averaged around 11 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Tree of Life Cuban Bakery 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 Tree of Life Cuban Bakery inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tree of Life Cuban Bakery is inspected around three times per year on average.
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