Zafem Caribbean Restaurant
Last inspected: Jan 5, 2026
70
Score
Across the available record, Zafem Caribbean Restaurant has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Jan 5, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “food stored on floor” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
By comparison, the average Vero Beach facility scores 77, putting Zafem Caribbean Restaurant on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 5, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Advised operator to add time for cut cabbage. Emailed time plan to operator **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
31B-02-4
70
Aug 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut cabbage 67 cold holding. On cooks line. In service for 1 hour. Advised to move to cooler. Or add to time plan **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-19: **Time Extended**
03A-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Walk in cooler drain line is dripping into container - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-19: **Time Extended**
28-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Roof mounted AC unit is dripping from ceiling onto floor. Isolated to one area of kitchen away from prep tables or equipment. AC technician arrived during inspection **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-19: **Time Extended**
29-03-4
78
Jun 19, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
FL-28
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Dec 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front counter. Chairs and storage of items are blocking off hand wash sink - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-20: **Time Extended**
31A-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-20: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
86
Dec 19, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Being stored next to pots and pans lids. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice in steam table in service for 1 hour. Advised to reheat. Operator turned up steam table. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in walk in cooler goat (51F - Cold Holding); turkey (54F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (55F - Cold Holding); cooked rice (55F - Cold Holding)cooked chicken 55f cold holding. Griyo 55f. Cold holding **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Items in walk in cooler since 1am
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front counter. Chairs and storage of items are blocking off hand wash sink
31A-09-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In bulk bin in dry storage
14-01-5
Basic - Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Pots and pan lids next to hand sink
24-27-4
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. Walk in cooler ambient 50f. Visible ice on condenser and water draining into pans
14-74-7
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooked meat in plastic container on floor in walk in cooler
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled
23-03-4
39
Jul 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
78
Jan 26, 2024
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. **Corrected On-Site**
32-12-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Frying oil **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. Had to use flashlight in walk in cooler **Repeat Violation**
38-04-4
82
Sep 11, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
78
Sep 8, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Triple sink sanitizer reading 200+ppm, manager remade solution. Now reading 100ppm **Corrected On-Site**
41-18-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. white rice (40F - Cold Holding); rice and beans (47F - Cold Holding); cut cabbage (47F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F - Cold Holding); cooked oxtail (48F - Cold Holding) all in walk in cooler over night **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Orange cleaner hanging next to sauce on wire shelf
41-10-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. white rice (40F - Cold Holding); rice and beans (47F - Cold Holding); cut cabbage (47F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F - Cold Holding); cooked oxtail (48F - Cold Holding) **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach in freezer shelves
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink had dirty silverware in sink
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Emailed form to operator **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in walk in cooler not date marked **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used as scoop for beans **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food stored next to restaurant food in walk in cooler
08B-49-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Sodas stored on floor behind front counter
08B-38-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. No lighting in walk in cooler, had to use flashlight to see
38-04-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Cloth hanging on cart **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
23
Feb 20, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked rice 54f and cooked pork 56/58f for 90 minutes at cook line cart and shelf. Moved to walk in cooler until ready to heat for service. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Provided for employees. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
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. Printed and provided. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken, pork and seafood in walk in cooler. All dated. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Walk in cooler.
36-73-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with food debris. Shelf at cook-line and under table/shelf. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Placed in sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm. Sanitizer set up to 200 ppm quaternary. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
50
Aug 1, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. White rice at 120/125f hot holding. White rice is stacked on another container on top of functional steam well. Owner reheated rice to +168f to hot hold above 135f. Discussed hot hold requirements. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. With splitter and hose.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Used as dump sink in kitchen. Cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
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. Multiple containers of cooked meats, vegetables and rice with no dates over 24 hours. All dated. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. On chiller unit in walk in cooler and fan covers.
23-03-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bags of produce on walk in floor. Moved to shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment. At steam well.
23-24-4
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface from reach in cooler at front counter.
29-03-4
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zafem Caribbean Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Zafem Caribbean Restaurant on file is from Jan 5, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Zafem Caribbean Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Zafem Caribbean Restaurant.
How does Zafem Caribbean Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Vero Beach?
Zafem Caribbean Restaurant most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Vero Beach average of 77.
Has Zafem Caribbean Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Zafem Caribbean Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Zafem Caribbean 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 Zafem Caribbean Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Zafem Caribbean Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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