Posted: December 31st, 2011 - 10:41am
Source: Sun Sentinel

Roaches and rats, mealy bugs and indoor sewage: It's been a lively year for state restaurant inspectors, and their reports about South Florida dining spots have enthralled Sun Sentinel readers.
And for good reason. Such sanitary problems can make restaurant patrons sick, sometimes extremely so.
"Most people are fine until they have a first-hand experience of wanting to die," said Vicki Johnson, spokeswoman for the Orlando-based National Registry of Food Safety Professionals.
The group does not inspect restaurants, but is one of three providers of food manager certification programs recognized by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, which licenses food vendors.
"Food safety is such an important topic, everyone is paying attention to it," Johnson said. "With social media, the minute anyone has a bad experience, it's out there immediately. And establishments cannot afford a bad customer experience."