Vita Italian Restaurant
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2026
61
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Vita Italian Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. Vita Italian Restaurant was last inspected on Mar 10, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around six violations across recent inspections versus roughly 10 violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “hole in or other damage to wall” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Vita Italian Restaurant's latest score of 61 falls below the Fort Lauderdale average of 80. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw clams over ready to eat sausage and chicken in Atosa freezer. Operator properly separated foods **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Flip top cooler- at 2:18 cut lettuce 49F ambient cooling for 15 minutes to 48F at 3:10pm. At this rate proper cooling to 41F in four hours will not occur. Operator voluntarily threw out food **Corrected On-Site**
03D-15-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed raw fish in rop packaging bearing the label to remove from ROP before thawing. Per operator food in ROP for less than four hours ago. Operator removed fish from ROP **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
06-09-1
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee working with food without hair restraint p. Employee put on hat **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn on front kitchen Pepsi cooler
14-11-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall by dish area
36-24-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed bottom shelf of Atosa freezer soiled with food debris
22-16-4
61
Oct 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. In left Pepsi cooler in kitchen, 5 pieces snapper fully thawed still in vacuum packaging. Per manager thawed more than 4 hours. See stop sale.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In walk in cooler, tray of raw breaded chicken over tray of ground beef tubes. Manager rearranged for proper separation. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. In left Pepsi cooler in kitchen, 5 pieces snapper fully thawed still in vacuum packaging. Per manager thawed more than 4 hours. See stop sale.
06-09-1
Basic - Food stored on floor. Buckets of tomato sauce on floor in walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
67
Apr 23, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. 1) In kitchen right Pepsi reach in, bread bowl in standard plastic to go bag 2) At front service area, trayed rolls in black garbage bag. Employees removed all from plastic bags and wrapped with plastic wrap. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In kitchen reach in freezer, in house portioned raw philly steak meat on shelf above open bags of cooked bacon. Employee moved steak meat to bottom of freezer to properly separate. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Raw breaded veal and chicken and baked ziti in kitchen Pepsi reach in cooler missing date marked. Per employee, all made on 4-21. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. CO2 tanks behind front counter not secured. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee open beverage container on shelf next to microwave directly above dishware and kitchen make table. Employees removed all removed beverage and discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-12-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In both kitchen Pepsi reach in coolers.
05-09-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Bulk container of salt in prep area not covered. Employee wrapped with plastic. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk container of salt missing label. Employee labeled.
02D-01-5
52
Dec 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: Observed at callback inspection same. **Time Extended**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. At cook line hand sink due to damaged faucet handle. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: Observed at callback inspection same. **Time Extended**
27-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Small CO2 tanks by front counter not secured. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: Observed at callback inspection same. **Time Extended**
51-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: Observed at callback inspection same. **Time Extended**
50-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Faucet/handle missing or damaged at plumbing fixture. Hot water faucet handle stripped at cook line hand sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: Observed at callback inspection same. **Time Extended**
29-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall between triple sink and dish machine. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: Observed at callback inspection same. **Time Extended**
36-24-5
67
Dec 16, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
26
May 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over bucket containing white sauce inside walk in cooler. Operator moved raw chicken and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clams tags for 90 days.
01C-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink in kitchen. Operator provided **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Pizza slices using Time as a public health control without written procedures. Emailed written procedures. **Repeat Violation**
03F-10-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured in pizza station and behind front counter in dining room. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee sneakers on top cause of tomato paste in pizza station. Operator moved **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in or other damage to wall under hand sink and next to 3 compartment sink in cook line. **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Buckets with sauces on floor in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
47
Mar 25, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
39
Jun 29, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink in cook line. Operator provided **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
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. Emailed procedures to manager
11-27-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense ground crackers in kitchen. Operator discarded **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves in Pepsi glass front cooler in kitchen. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-05-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Operator moved to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
61
Nov 16, 2022
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
05-08-4
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 - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall under hand sink in cook line.
36-24-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses in cook line. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense Parmesan cheese and cooked pasta in kitchen. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves in glass front cooler in kitchen. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-05-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Repeat Violation**
50-09-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair in front of hand wash sink in cook line.
36-17-5
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Vita Italian Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Vita Italian Restaurant on file is from Mar 10, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Vita Italian Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “hole in or other damage to wall” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Vita Italian Restaurant.
How does Vita Italian Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Vita Italian Restaurant most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has Vita Italian Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Vita Italian Restaurant have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Vita Italian Restaurant means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Vita Italian Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Vita Italian Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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