Tea Project Gets Conditional Pass After Minor Food Label Issues

Tea Project in Visitacion Valley received a conditional pass during a San Francisco Department of Public Health reinspection on October 17, 2025, allowing the restaurant to continue serving customers while addressing minor food labeling violations. The restaurant at 2591 San Bruno Avenue faced three minor violations during the afternoon inspection, with one corrected immediately on site. Inspector Montre Tieu found that prepackaged chicken feet containers lacked proper manufacturer labeling information, a violation that must be corrected within seven days.

Minor Violations Requiring Attention

During this inspection, the primary concern centered on food labeling compliance. The inspector discovered that prepackaged chicken feet displayed for sale did not include required manufacturer information. When questioned about the source, the operator indicated the items were ordered from another restaurant but could not provide the restaurant's name or invoice documentation at the time of inspection. The inspector immediately had the improperly labeled chicken feet removed from the display refrigeration unit. Tea Project has seven days to provide approved manufacturer labels on all prepackaged food items offered for takeout, ensuring customers have access to proper sourcing information. A second violation was corrected immediately when an operator was observed eating personal lunch on the counter at the front-of-house food preparation station. The employee immediately discontinued eating at the station and relocated their meal to an approved employee area, demonstrating quick response to inspector guidance.

Educational Support Provided

Inspector Tieu provided educational guidance on proper chlorine sanitizer preparation and the use of chemical test strips, helping the restaurant improve its sanitation protocols. This educational approach reflects the department's commitment to helping establishments maintain compliance rather than pursuing punitive measures for minor infractions. The conditional pass status means Tea Project can continue normal operations while working to address the labeling requirements. The restaurant serves the Visitacion Valley community near the T-Third Muni line, providing convenient dining access for local residents and transit users.

Recent Inspection History

This reinspection followed a routine inspection conducted on October 10, 2025, which also resulted in a conditional pass. The pattern suggests Tea Project is working systematically to address compliance issues identified by health inspectors. The restaurant's person in charge, Tay Liu, was present during the inspection but declined to sign the inspection report. Despite this administrative detail, the establishment demonstrated cooperation by immediately correcting the on-site violation and removing improperly labeled products.

Ongoing Operations

Tea Project remains open for business while completing the required labeling corrections. The seven-day correction window provides adequate time for the restaurant to contact suppliers, obtain proper documentation, and ensure all prepackaged items meet San Francisco health code requirements. The minor nature of violations found indicates Tea Project maintains basic food safety standards while working to perfect operational details. Customers can continue dining with confidence that the restaurant addresses inspector recommendations promptly and maintains safe food handling practices. For questions about this inspection, Inspector Montre Tieu can be reached at (415) 252-3903 or montre.tieu@sfdph.org. Tea Project operates at (415) 330-9888 for customer inquiries about menu offerings and hours of operation.