Holy Nata Bakery Gets Conditional Pass on SF Reinspection

Holy Nata, the popular bakery located at 101 Montgomery Street in San Francisco's bustling Financial District, received a conditional pass during its November 12 reinspection, allowing the establishment to continue serving customers while addressing remaining hot water violations at critical handwashing and food preparation areas. The reinspection, conducted between 9:15 AM and 9:45 AM, followed up on issues identified during a routine inspection on November 7. While inspectors noted significant improvement in some areas, including the correction of milk temperature violations with products now properly maintained at 39 degrees Fahrenheit, critical hot water accessibility issues persist at both handwashing and food preparation sinks.

Hot Water Violations Require Immediate Attention

During this inspection, health officials documented that no hot water was available at the handwashing and food preparation sinks, a major violation of California Retail Food Code Section 114192. The regulation requires hot water to measure a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit at all facility sinks to ensure proper sanitation and effective handwashing protocols. Inspector Alyssa Manzano noted that the bakery had scheduled plumber repairs for the inspection day, demonstrating proactive efforts to address the compliance issues. As a temporary measure approved by the principal inspector, staff members were instructed to wash their hands at the three-compartment sink, which maintains hot water at the minimum required 100 degrees Fahrenheit for handwashing purposes.

Continued Operations with Safety Measures

The conditional pass allows Holy Nata to remain open and continue serving its signature Portuguese pastries and baked goods to Financial District workers and tourists near the Montgomery St BART station. The establishment, owned by Ze Das Natas and reachable at (415) 410-5504, has implemented the inspector-approved handwashing procedures to maintain food safety standards while repairs are completed. The bakery's ability to correct the milk temperature violation between the initial inspection and reinspection demonstrates the establishment's commitment to addressing health department concerns promptly. This quick response to inspector feedback shows management's dedication to maintaining proper food safety protocols in their busy Financial District location.

Follow-Up Requirements and Timeline

Health department officials have scheduled another reinspection for November 13, 2025, or later to verify that the hot water system repairs have been completed successfully. The follow-up visit will specifically focus on ensuring that all handwashing and food preparation sinks provide the required 120-degree hot water temperature for proper sanitation procedures. The bakery's location in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District makes it a popular stop for office workers seeking fresh pastries and coffee. The establishment's continued operation during the correction period allows regular customers to maintain their daily routines while the business addresses the remaining compliance issues.

Inspection Context and Moving Forward

This reinspection represents Holy Nata's first documented health department visit in available records, making it difficult to establish long-term compliance patterns. However, the bakery's rapid response to correct the milk temperature violation and immediate scheduling of plumbing repairs suggests a collaborative approach to resolving health department concerns. The conditional pass classification allows businesses to continue operating while addressing specific violations that do not pose immediate public health risks. This approach balances public safety with economic considerations, particularly important for small businesses in high-traffic areas like the Financial District where foot traffic and regular customers depend on consistent service availability.