Health - July 25, 2017

Cafe shut down at LA Fitness that had Legionnaires’ bacteria

The cafe inside of an LA Fitness club in South Orlando was closed just weeks after the gym tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease.

Greenroots Cafe at 12700 S. Orange Blossom Trail closed by an inspector because of violations such as roaches on July 20.

“Observed 5 live roaches in cabinet under hand-washing sink on smoothie make-line,” the report from the Florida Department of Professional and Business Regulation reads.

The same LA Fitness gym was the spot where two individuals were infected with Legionella, a potentially deadly airborne bacteria that can cause a severe form of pneumonia.

The cafe totaled nine violations, including the manager lacking proof of a food managers certification, according to the inspection report.

A message left for Greenroots management was not returned by the time of publication.

The LA Fitness was investigated in May and tests sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came back positive in late June.

Legionella bacteria can spread and grow inside the water pipes of large buildings. When the bacteria is expelled through showers or hot tubs, it can turn into an airborne mist which is then inhaled into an individuals lungs.

The LA Fitness in South Orlando was one of two LA Fitness clubs that tested positive for the bacteria. The other was at 4792 Kirkman Road in Orlando.

None of the four individuals infected with Legionnaires’ disease died, state health officials said.

The Greenroots Cafe opened in June 2016 at the LA Fitness club, selling smoothies and “easy preparation items such as smoothies and wraps,” according to a press release from the company.

Greenroots is not owned or operated by LA Fitness. It is based out of Tampa and there is one location there.

Elsewhere in Central Florida three other restaurants failed health inspections during the last week, state health reports show.

ChimiKing at 2108 Whisper Lake Boulevard was closed July 19 for violations such as roaches and poor hand-washing practices.

A Krystal restaurant at 11052 E COLONIAL DRIVE was closed July for violations including a wastewater backup in the kitchen.

And Haitian restaurant, Bistro Paradise, was closed temporarily July 17 for roaches and other cleanliness issues.

ChimiKing, Krystal and Bistro Paradise reopened the following day after a follow-up inspection.

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