License No. 4508495|Public Food Service Establishment|Lake County, FloridaInspected Jul 17, 2026
State of Florida Inspection Record

JAPAN EXPRESS

456 E BURLEIGH BLVD, TAVARES, FL 32778

State inspectors have documented 4 high-priority violations at JAPAN EXPRESS over the past year. That's the kind that can make you sick. Consider the alternatives below. The trailing-year record shows 27 violations, including 4 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.

Serious
48.2
Trailing year of inspections
How this kitchen compares
Against TAVARES

Scores higher than 30% of the 47 inspected restaurants in TAVARES on the trailing-year record.

48.2
Lowest scoreCity median · 62.5Highest score
Against Lake County

4 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Lake County average of 2.6.

This kitchen4
County average2.6
Above county average
Computed from the trailing-year records of all inspected restaurants in the same city and county. Official State of Florida inspection data — scores calculated by this site.

The Inspection Record

9 inspections

Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.

Visit 01 — Routine - Food
Jul 17, 2026
Disposition
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Handwashing & employee habits
Repeat — 4th time

Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.

High-priority×2
Food at unsafe temperature

Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.

High-priority
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 7th time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority
Chemicals & toxic substances
Repeat — 5th time

Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.

High-priority
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 8th time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic
Floors, walls & ceilings
Repeat — 4th time

Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 02 — Routine - Food
Feb 25, 2026
Disposition
Follow-up inspection · Compliance recordedCall Back - Complied
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 7th time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic
Floors, walls & ceilings
Repeat — 3rd time

Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 03 — Routine - Food
Feb 9, 2026
Disposition
Warning Issued
Handwashing & employee habits
Repeat — 3rd time

Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.

High-priority
Dirty food-contact surfaces
Repeat — 5th time

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic×4
Floors, walls & ceilings
Repeat — 2nd time

Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.

Basic×2
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 6th time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic
Non-food surfaces dirty
Repeat — 3rd time

Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 04 — Complaint Full
Dec 10, 2025
Disposition
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 6th time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority
Chemicals & toxic substances
Repeat — 4th time

Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.

High-priority
Handwash sinks & supplies
Repeat — 5th time

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate
Hair restraints & clean clothes

Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.

Basic×2
In-use utensil storage
Repeat — 2nd time

Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).

Basic
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 5th time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic
Non-food surfaces dirty
Repeat — 2nd time

Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.

Basic
Personal belongings

Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 05 — Routine - Food
Mar 6, 2025
Disposition
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 5th time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority×2
Handwashing & employee habits
Repeat — 2nd time

Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.

High-priority
Handwash sinks & supplies
Repeat — 4th time

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate×2
Advisories, date marking & labeling
Repeat — 3rd time

Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.

Intermediate
Employee health

A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.

Intermediate
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 4th time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic×3
Dirty food-contact surfaces
Repeat — 4th time

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic×2
Other sanitary & safe operation

Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 06 — Routine - Food
Aug 23, 2024
Disposition
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 4th time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority×3
Handwash sinks & supplies
Repeat — 3rd time

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 3rd time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic×2
Dirty food-contact surfaces
Repeat — 3rd time

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic×2
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 07 — Routine - Food
Apr 23, 2024
Disposition
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 3rd time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority×2
Chemicals & toxic substances
Repeat — 3rd time

Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.

High-priority
Dishwashing facilities & test kits

Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.

Intermediate×2
Advisories, date marking & labeling
Repeat — 2nd time

Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.

Intermediate
Dirty food-contact surfaces
Repeat — 2nd time

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic×3
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 2nd time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic×2
Non-food surfaces dirty

Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 08 — Routine - Food
Nov 14, 2023
Disposition
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 2nd time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority
Handwashing & employee habits

Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.

High-priority
Chemicals & toxic substances
Repeat — 2nd time

Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.

High-priority
Handwash sinks & supplies
Repeat — 2nd time

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate×4
Wiping cloths & linens

Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.

Basic×2
In-use utensil storage

Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).

Basic
Floors, walls & ceilings

Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 09 — Routine - Food
Jul 21, 2023
Disposition
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Raw-food separation & protection

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority×3
Pests & outer openings

Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.

High-priority
Chemicals & toxic substances

Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.

High-priority
Advisories, date marking & labeling

Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.

Intermediate
Thermometers

Missing or inaccurate food and equipment thermometers.

Intermediate
Handwash sinks & supplies

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate
Equipment & surface condition

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic×3
Dirty food-contact surfaces

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic×2
Improper thawing

High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
What the violations mean

Violation categories, explained

27 violations · 12 categories

Every violation on this record falls into one of the state's standardized categories. Here is what each category covers and why inspectors check for it — in plain English, with the trailing-year count for this kitchen.

Hands must be washed and gloves changed at the required moments — after touching the floor, raw food, or anything unclean — and eating, drinking, or smoking is not allowed in food areas. Hands are the most common way pathogens reach food.

On this record, the category appears in 2 of the 4 trailing-year inspections. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.

† Item numbers refer to the State of Florida’s standardized inspection form; the same item recurring across visits indicates an unresolved problem. Severity groupings and the sanitation score are explained in How it works.
Check our work

The inspection record above comes straight from the state's files.

Dirty Dish List is built from public inspection data published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The inspection dates, dispositions, and violations on this report card mirror what the state has on file for License No. 4508495 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.

License on file
4508495
Inspected
Jul 17, 2026
Scoring
Trailing-year aggregate — How it works
Official State of Florida inspection records Opens myfloridalicense.com — the state's public inspection search
Official State of Florida inspection data — scores calculated by this site
Dirty Dish List.

Official inspection data, translated for the people who eat here.

SOURCE: STATE OF FLORIDA
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