SF Tenderloin Bakery Closed for Rodent Droppings, Cockroaches

A Tenderloin bakery was forced to close its doors after San Francisco health inspectors discovered a severe pest infestation that contaminated food supplies and equipment throughout the facility. Zero&, 0&, Hanabi, Hanabi Cakes failed this inspection on August 26, 2025, with inspectors finding evidence of widespread rodent and cockroach activity that posed immediate health risks to customers. Inspector Carlos Barragan documented shocking conditions during the routine inspection that began at 2:30 PM. The most alarming discovery was a bag of salt covered in rodent droppings with visible gnaw marks from mice or rats. The contaminated salt was voluntarily discarded by the establishment, but inspectors found evidence of rodent activity throughout the entire facility.

Pest Infestation Threatens Food Safety

The inspection revealed a comprehensive pest problem that extended far beyond the contaminated salt. Rodent droppings were discovered in multiple locations including areas adjacent to to-go cups, on an open plastic wrap container, on top of bags of sugar, on floors beneath equipment, and scattered across storage shelving. This widespread contamination indicated an established infestation that had been allowed to persist over time. The cockroach problem was equally severe, with dead cockroaches found inside a citrus cooler and live cockroaches discovered on the gaskets of two reach-in coolers. Perhaps most concerning, live cockroaches were spotted near the ice machine, creating a direct contamination risk for beverages served to customers. Health experts note that cockroaches carry 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms, while mice produce up to 50 droppings daily that can contain salmonella and hantavirus.

Critical Handwashing Violations

Compounding the pest problems, inspectors found critical handwashing violations that further compromised food safety. One handwashing sink near the warewashing area was completely out of order, marked with a sign reading "Do not use this sink!" Additionally, an employee was observed washing hands at the food preparation sink rather than designated handwashing facilities, a practice that can cross-contaminate food surfaces. The broken handwashing facilities represent a major violation of health codes, as studies show only 31% of food service workers properly wash their hands when adequate supplies aren't available. This significantly increases the risk of spreading norovirus and other foodborne illnesses to hundreds of customers.

First-Time Inspection Reveals Serious Issues

This appears to be the first health inspection on record for the bakery, located near the Powell St BART station in the heart of the Tenderloin district. The establishment's failure to maintain basic sanitation standards from the outset raises concerns about food safety training and operational procedures. The closure notice requires the bakery to contract licensed pest control services to eliminate all vermin activity before reopening. The facility must also repair the broken handwashing sink and demonstrate proper food handling procedures to pass reinspection. For customers who recently visited the establishment, health officials recommend monitoring for symptoms of foodborne illness including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. The combination of pest contamination and inadequate handwashing facilities created conditions where harmful bacteria could easily spread to prepared foods and beverages. The bakery remains closed until all violations are corrected and the facility passes reinspection by the San Francisco Department of Public Health.