Tropicana Ice Cream
Last inspected: Dec 16, 2025
43
Score
Tropicana Ice Cream has been inspected six times since 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 16, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around six violations to closer to eight violations.
“Observed that there were no certified food managers present” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.
Restaurants in San Antonio average 84, so Tropicana Ice Cream trails the local norm. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
5
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 16, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
3-501.16(A)(2)
Observed that there were no Certified Food Managers present during the routine food establishment inspection. There was only a Food Handler present. There MUST always be a Certified Food Manager (CFM) on site during all hours of kitchen operation. They are responsible for directing the flow of the kitchen and being knowledgeable about food handling and safety. The inspector HIGHLY RECOMMENDS that any Food Handler working a shift by themselves become CFMs so that the main CFM may leave for any of
228.31(b)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
3-501.17(A)
Sanitizer test kit not available
4-302.14
Equipment or utensils not clean
4-601.11(A)
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
7-102.11
Equipment or utensils not clean
4-601.11(C)
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
3-304.12(D)
Outer openings not protected against pests
6-202.15(A)
Observed a scooper on the clean dish rack that was damaged and cracked. The inspector told the food handler to take a photo of the damaged scooper before they discard it. Ensure that all food-contact dishes and utensils are smooth, easily cleanable, durable (resistant to chipping, pitting, and cracking), and in good repair. Once a food-contact dish or utensil has been chipped or cracked it MUST be removed from kitchen use. Cracked or chipped dishware can allow for easier migration of deleterious
228.223(h)
43
Jul 18, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Observed that the Quaternary Ammonium sanitizer coming out of the sanitizer dispenser at the three-compartment sink was NOT at 200 PPM. The sanitizer was coming out below 150 PPM. Ensure that all Quaternary Ammonium sanitizers used to sanitize food-contact dishes and to make sanitizer buckets have a REQUIRED concentration between 200 and 400 Parts Per Million (PPM). If the concentrations are too high, then the sanitizers shall contaminate the food-contact and nonfood-contact surfaces of the dish
4-501.114(C)
Backflow prevention air gap not adequate
5-202.13
Observed that the Certified Food Manager (CFM) was NOT present during the beginning of the inspection. The inspector reminded the CFM that they MUST be present during all hours of operation. There MUST always be a Certified Food Manager (CFM) on site during all hours of kitchen operation. They are responsible for directing the flow of the kitchen and being knowledgeable about food handling and safety. The inspector HIGHLY RECOMMENDS that the Food Handler left in charge today and ne other respons
228.31(b)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
3-501.17(A)
Observed a thermometer missing inside of the cold hold unit where milk, sour cream, and cut fruit was stored in. Ensure all cold holds, coolers, refrigerators, mini fridges, freezers, and walk-in coolers have a thermometer that is calibrated, accurate, easily accessible, easily readable, durable, and in good repair. The thermometer MUST be placed in the warmest part of the refrigerator (near the door where warm air goes in) so that food handlers can check if the cold hold is not working correctl
4-204.112(A)
Outer openings not protected against pests
6-202.15(A)
Physical facilities not in good repair
6-501.11
50
Jan 6, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
3-501.16(A)(1)
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
7-102.11
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
3-501.17(A)
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
5-205.11
Outer openings not protected against pests
6-202.15(A)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
6-501.12
Equipment or utensils not clean
4-601.11(C)
55
Aug 5, 2024
Routine
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
A certified food manager was not on duty at the time of the inspection. Ensure a CFM is on duty at all hours of operation. 228.31(b) Certified food protection manager shall be present at the food establishment during all hours of operation as required in Food Code, §2-101.11 and §2-102.12
228.31(b)
Observed no food handler certifications by the employees. Ensure all employees contain a valid food handler certification. 228.31(d) Food Handler Training criteria.
228.31(d)
Sanitizer test kit not available
4-302.14
Permit holder responsibilities not met
8-304.11(A)
Outer openings not protected against pests
6-202.15(D)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
6-501.12
61
Dec 20, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Toxic materials not stored separately from food
7-201.11
A certified food manager was not on duty at the start of the inspection. Ensure a CFM is on duty at all hours of operation. 228.31(b) Certified food protection manager shall be present at the food establishment during all hours of operation as required in Food Code, §2-101.11 and §2-102.12.
228.31(b)
Does the establishment have sufficient capacity to meet peak hot water demands? Observed insufficient hot water throughout the store. Three compartment sinks were at a maximum of 90F and hand sinks were not reaching 100F. Management had the water heater increased on site and the establishment is reaching hot water requirements at this time.
5-103.11(B)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
6-501.12
Outer openings not protected against pests
6-202.15(D)
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
3-304.12(E)
61
Jul 6, 2023
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Observed no food manager on duty at the time of the inspection. 228.31(b) Certified food protection manager shall be present at the food establishment during all hours of operation as required in Food Code, §2-101.11 and §2-102.12.
228.31(b)
Observed no food handler certifications by the employees. Ensure all employees contain a valid food handler certification. 228.31(d) Food Handler Training criteria.
228.31(d)
Sanitizer test kit not available
4-302.14
Equipment or utensils not clean
4-601.11(C)
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
3-305.11(A)(3)
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tropicana Ice Cream last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tropicana Ice Cream on file is from Dec 16, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tropicana Ice Cream?
Across the inspection record, “observed that there were no certified food managers present” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Tropicana Ice Cream.
How does Tropicana Ice Cream compare to other restaurants in San Antonio?
Tropicana Ice Cream most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the San Antonio average of 84.
Has Tropicana Ice Cream's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Tropicana Ice Cream have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Tropicana Ice Cream 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 Tropicana Ice Cream inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tropicana Ice Cream is inspected around two times per year on average.
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