RYAN'S FAMILY STEAKHOUSE - TAMPA FLORIDA, 4 PEOPLE GET FOODBORNE ILLNESS - ESTABLISHMENT CITED AND LAW SUIT PENDING

This incident took place on 1/5/02 at the Ryan's Family Steakhouse , 1301 S. 78 th st. , Tampa , Fl 33619. Phone (813)622-7530 manager ED or Katrina Porter. There were 4 cases reported to the Health dept. about the food and conditions.
All of these people had the following symtoms; diarreha , nauesa , vomitting , chills and abdominal pain.

These symtom's lasted from 24 to 96 hrs. This type of illness has to run it's course and no Dr can do anything to stop it. Here are the violations that were found on inspection; handtowels not present at the handsink; hand sanatizer not present anywhere. Non- handeld container used to scoop ice out of ice maker, Ice scoop stored on top of dirty ice machine. Heavy old food build up on the mixer and dough cutter. Wall's in the kitchen have high build up of grease and grime. Walk in freezer registering temps of 45 and 47 degrees. "FUR" is lining the fan blade guard of the walk in freezer. Fish sitting on the counter in ice registering 48-50 degrees. Clam chowder on the bottom of the food warmer is registering 130 degrees. One of the light banks in the kitchen is not sheilded. Air vents in the kitchen have "FUR" type build up on them. Food stored on the floor of the freezer. Sanitizer is not registering on wet kitchen wiping cloths, hand sink in the meat cutting room is not used and has a large roach in it. The roof is leaking in the grill area. Potential for cross contamination in the meat cooler. One of the ansul units has been discharged. Dishmachine not reaching required temps. Dishmachine wash water is greasy and dirty. Dirty ash trays stored in clean salad bowls. Mold is building up on the dish area walls. Food debrisis still on some of the just washed dishes and stored as such. Two live roaches observed in the waiting station. Handsink at the dessert bar is not used and filthy. Nest of roaches located on the wall of the dessert station. Half and Half at the wait station registering 70 degrees. Mold growing on the inner ice sheild of the wait station and the ice machine of the dessert station. Sewage odor in the men's bathroom. Contaminated equipment was noted, employee hygiene deficiencies noted, roaches in the facility noted, sanitization procedures were inadequate, inadequate cold-holding temperatures and insufficient temperature during hot holding. All ill individuals and any identified well individuals linked to the implicated meal were either interviewed, or data was gathered on their behalf to determine food exposures, other pertinent environmental exposures, and illness histories. The food item or items epidemiologically implicated as the vehicle associated with this outbreak was " TACO'S".

I called on 2/2/02 and spoke with ED the manager and asked him as a manager how could he let this happen. It is obvious that these conditions did not happen overnight. He got very combative and avoided the question and when I asked him why he did not report this to the main office he avoided that question as well.

He was very nervous and asked me if I was recording the conversation. When I told him no, he said " how do I know that " , I went on to tell him about the federal laws and he felt more at ease....but I did not mention the ripoffreport. Well this is freedom of speech and if I can stop one person from eating at this place then it's been worth it.

But I think that we will stop more than one, after all over 13 million hit and 2 million in Florida alone. Back to the conversation I had with ED, he went on to tell me how the food business is tough and he even at one point in time told me that it's not like that-the way it is on the report. Yea' maybe it's ok conditions for you ED, do you live like that?

ED would you or your family eat at Ryan's? I personally think that ED failed to do his job and as a result of this 4 people that we know of, maybe even more got very sick as a result of you. I don't know why ED still has a job, if you want to know why call the main ofice and ask why 904-249-4197. ED also stressed to me that they have complied with the report. Also, I have to mention that some of these people that go sick were children, ED how do you sleep at night? And on the last note ED told me that he serves 600-1000 people a day.... that's a scarry thought!!!!

I will fax a copy of this to all parties envolved and I will update this report when I have more information.
DON'T EAT AT THIS PLACE!!!!