Brevard County health inspectors issued violation notices to several local restaurants this month after finding temperature control failures during routine inspections. The issues, identified during visits to establishments in Palm Bay, Cocoa, and Titusville, included refrigeration units not maintaining required cold temperatures and hot holding equipment failing to keep food at safe heat levels. "Temperature control is critical to preventing foodborne illness," said Brevard County Health Department spokesperson Maria Gonzalez. "These failures put customers at risk and require immediate correction." Inspections conducted between March 1 and March 15 found 12 restaurants with at least one temperature-related violation. Five establishments received critical violations that could lead to closure if not resolved within 14 days. Among them was a popular downtown Melbourne seafood grill, which was cited for refrigeration units allowing fish storage temperatures to rise above 41°F. The restaurant has until April 5 to bring conditions into compliance. Health department records show temperature control issues accounted for 38% of all critical violations in the county last year. Inspectors have increased focus on this area since a 2022 outbreak of salmonella linked to undercooked chicken at a restaurant in Rockledge. "We’re seeing more complex kitchen operations now," said Inspector James Carter. "It takes more vigilance to ensure temps stay in the safe zone." Restaurant owners say the failures often stem from equipment malfunctions rather than negligence. A manager at the seafood grill said their refrigeration system had been under maintenance for weeks. "We’re cooperating fully with inspectors," the manager said. "But these systems can fail unexpectedly." The health department has launched a campaign reminding restaurants to conduct daily temperature checks and maintain records. Violations remain a leading cause of restaurant closures in Brevard, with 17 establishments shut down in 2023 for repeated temperature control failures.