Florida Restaurant Inspections and Your Ice Machine: What Inspectors Look For
To an inspector, ice is food. That is the starting point for everything below. Here is what DBPR guidance says about protecting machine ice, in plain English with official sources.
Who inspects Tampa Bay restaurants
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants, licenses and inspects public food-service establishments it regulates. Tampa Bay is served by District 3–Tampa. Use DBPR's Division Offices page for current district contacts and licensing details rather than treating an old office address or renewal date as permanent.
How often they come
DBPR describes risk-based, unannounced inspections. Frequency depends on food handling and compliance history, and complaints may lead to additional visits. Consult the current inspections guidance for the schedule that applies to your establishment.
The rulebook
DBPR's current inspections page states that the 2017 FDA Food Code was adopted effective November 1, 2019. Its 2013 Ice Protection bulletin cites the 2009 Food Code. That bulletin remains useful historical guidance, but its cited edition should not be presented as the current rulebook. Ice is treated as food and must be protected accordingly.
What DBPR says about ice and ice machines
The following is guidance from DBPR's historical Ice Protection bulletin; consult current rules and your manufacturer's instructions for your establishment.
- Approved water: make ice from drinking water from an approved source. Do not use machine ice during a boil-water notice.
- Cleaning frequency: clean and sanitize per the manufacturer, as needed to prevent soil or mold, and after possible contamination.
- Contact surfaces: clean and sanitize the surfaces, containers and scoops that touch ice.
- Location: protect stored ice from splash zones, floors and other contamination sources. Follow applicable installation and enclosure requirements.
- Best practices: inspect the interior for mold, mildew and slime; keep the bin closed; discard contaminated ice and clean/sanitize; do not chill food or containers in drinking ice; avoid bare-hand contact; store a handled scoop handle-up or on a clean surface; clean and sanitize ice utensils at least every 24 hours; replace filters as specified.
How violations are classified
DBPR uses High Priority, Intermediate and Basic classifications. Ice-machine findings can involve food-contact surfaces, plumbing and filters, or utensil storage. Classification depends on the observed conditions and applicable rule; do not assume every mold finding has the same tier.
What happens after
DBPR calls an inspection report a snapshot of conditions at that visit. Outcomes can include meeting inspection standards, required follow-up or temporary closure for conditions that endanger the public. Florida restaurants are not graded or rated by this system. Reports are public; use DBPR's official inspection information to locate records and understand dispositions.
A pre-inspection checklist for your ice machine
Discard suspected contaminated ice and arrange appropriate cleaning. A checklist and paperwork do not guarantee passing an inspection.
- Follow safe operator access instructions and inspect visible bin/chute surfaces for black, pink or orange slime; do not open electrical or refrigeration panels.
- Store the scoop outside the ice, handle-up, in a clean holder.
- Keep bottles, food and containers out of the bin.
- Keep the bin door closed.
- Record the filter change date and follow replacement instructions.
- Keep cleaning logs and professional service paperwork on file.
How Crystal Ice helps
PM costs $295/visit or is included with rental. It covers deep sanitizing, scale removal, mechanical inspection, a filter check and service paperwork. Crystal Ice schedules standard preventive maintenance every 6 months. Follow your manufacturer's instructions and clean sooner if conditions warrant. High-volume bars, coastal kitchens and healthcare sites may need more frequent service, assessed individually; this is not a blanket legal interval or an included quarterly rental schedule.
Based in Clearwater, Crystal Ice has served Tampa Bay for more than 30 years, since 1992, across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. We come to your business; there is no storefront or walk-in service.
Sources
Official source guidance reviewed for this content on October 20, 2026. Refer to DBPR for current requirements and inspection information.
Related guidance and services
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