The Epicurean Trader Gets Conditional Pass Despite Rodents

The Epicurean Trader, a popular gourmet food shop located at 401 Cortland Avenue in the Mission district, received a conditional pass during its health reinspection on September 26, 2025, despite inspectors discovering extensive evidence of rodent activity throughout the facility. The gourmet food shop, situated near the 24th Street Mission BART station, remains open for business while addressing the critical violation related to pest control. During this inspection, conducted between 12:00 PM and 1:15 PM, inspector Alyssa Manzano documented significant rodent droppings and what appeared to be urine stains in multiple areas of the establishment.

Inspection Details

The comprehensive inspection revealed rodent evidence in virtually every section of the specialty food store. Inspectors found droppings below the bottom shelf of the pastry cabinet, throughout all cabinets in the coffee bar area, and extensively throughout all cabinets in the cheese cutting section. The contamination extended to the edges of floors in both the market area and dry storage room, with additional evidence discovered on shelves containing miscellaneous equipment in the storage areas. This violation falls under California Retail Food Code Section 114259, which prohibits insects, rodents, birds, and non-service animals in food establishments. The presence of rodent activity poses significant health risks, as mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus.

Facility Background

The Epicurean Trader specializes in artisanal foods and gourmet products, serving the vibrant Mission district community. The establishment has undergone multiple recent inspections, indicating ongoing efforts to maintain compliance with health regulations. A previous inspection on September 19 also resulted in a conditional pass, with violations including hand washing facilities, hot and cold holding temperatures, and pest control issues. Most recently, a November 14 inspection revealed temperature control problems with cheeses and salami being held at improper temperatures between 53-60°F due to wooden shelving blocking airflow in refrigeration units.

Conditional Pass Status

Despite the serious nature of the rodent infestation, the conditional pass allows The Epicurean Trader to continue operations while implementing corrective measures. This classification indicates that while critical violations were found, the establishment can remain open provided they immediately address the identified issues and demonstrate compliance during follow-up inspections. The gourmet food shop must implement comprehensive pest control measures, including professional extermination services, thorough sanitization of all affected areas, and establishment of ongoing monitoring protocols. All food products that may have been contaminated must be properly disposed of, and all surfaces require deep cleaning and sanitization.

Community Impact

Located in one of San Francisco's most dynamic neighborhoods, The Epicurean Trader serves residents who rely on its specialty products and artisanal offerings. The shop's proximity to public transit makes it easily accessible to customers throughout the city. While the facility works to resolve these pest control issues, customers can expect the establishment to remain operational as corrective measures are implemented. The San Francisco Department of Public Health will conduct follow-up inspections to ensure all violations have been properly addressed and that effective pest control measures are in place. The establishment's management must demonstrate that comprehensive remediation has eliminated the rodent activity and prevented future infestations before receiving a full passing grade.