Brevard County health inspectors found 19% of restaurant inspections in 2023 failed to maintain proper cold or hot holding temperatures for food, according to records obtained by Florida Today. The issue appears most common in casual dining establishments along the Space Coast's tourist corridor. "We see this repeatedly during summer months," said Brevard Health Department spokesperson Lisa Martinez. "Equipment failures and staff training gaps seem to be the main causes." Inspections between June and August showed a 27% increase in temperature violations compared to the same period in 2022. At least three restaurants in Cocoa Beach received multiple citations for refrigeration unit malfunctions last year. One seafood grill near the Port of Jupiter had to close for 48 hours after inspectors found frozen seafood stored at 52°F. The health department issued 148 temperature-related violations in 2023, up from 112 in 2022. Martinez emphasized that improper temperatures allow bacteria to multiply rapidly. "Even a 2-degree variance can make the difference between safe and dangerous," she said. Restaurant owners argue the problem stems from outdated equipment in older buildings. The Health Department is working with the county to update building codes for commercial kitchens. Meanwhile, 12 restaurants in the Melbourne area have installed new temperature monitoring systems since last fall. "It's a constant battle," said Tim Reynolds, owner of the Grilled Cheese Shop in Titusville. "We've had three refrigerators fail in the past year alone." The health department plans to increase surprise inspections during peak season, starting in May.