Safeway #785 Gets Conditional Pass for Minor Cleaning Issues

Safeway #785 in San Francisco's Richmond District received a conditional pass during its routine health inspection on December 4, 2025, after inspectors identified several minor cleaning and maintenance violations that require correction but allow the store to continue serving customers safely. The grocery store at 850 La Playa Street underwent a comprehensive two-hour inspection from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with health officials finding five total violations - four major and one minor - that need attention but do not pose immediate health risks to shoppers.

Inspection Details

During this inspection, health officials noted several positive findings alongside the violations. All refrigeration units were maintaining proper temperatures at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, hot water was available at appropriate temperatures of at least 120 degrees at all sinks, and no signs of vermin activity were detected throughout the facility. The high-temperature dishwasher in the bakery section was functioning properly for sanitization. The most significant violation involved inadequate sanitizer concentrations in spray bottles used by deli staff. Inspectors found that after five hours of food preparation starting at 5:00 AM, sanitizer levels had become insufficient. This violation was corrected on-site when management instructed staff to prepare proper sanitizer concentrations and implement a four-hour replacement schedule for all sanitizer containers.

Maintenance and Cleaning Issues

Additional violations focused on cleanliness and maintenance in the deli area. Inspectors observed grime and grease buildup underneath and on the sides of three-compartment basins in the deli section, requiring thorough cleaning, degreasing, and sanitization. Staff education was recommended to ensure proactive monitoring of these areas. The seafood walk-in cooler presented a maintenance concern with deteriorating metal and exposed holes in the cooling unit. Inspectors mandated that all holes be sealed with durable, easy-to-clean, nonabsorbent materials, specifically prohibiting the use of spray foam. Ventilation issues were noted in the deli kitchen, where grease buildup in the hood was forming drops at the edge. Management informed inspectors that professional cleaning had already been scheduled to address this concern, with ongoing requirements to minimize grease formation through regular cleaning and degreasing.

Continued Operations

The conditional pass allows Safeway #785 to continue serving the Richmond District community while addressing these correctable violations. The facility, accessible via the 38 Geary bus line, maintains its role as a neighborhood grocery destination despite the minor infractions. This represents the first recorded inspection for this Safeway location in available public records, establishing a baseline for future compliance monitoring. The store's ability to correct one violation on-site demonstrates management's commitment to food safety standards.

Next Steps

Safeway management must address the remaining violations within the timeframe specified by health officials to achieve full compliance. A follow-up inspection will likely be scheduled to verify that all cleaning, maintenance, and procedural improvements have been properly implemented. The conditional pass status ensures customers can continue shopping with confidence while the store works to perfect its operations and meet San Francisco's rigorous food safety standards.