Castro Market Closed for Rodent Droppings and Utensil Storage

Health inspectors have closed Reliance Market on Castro Street after discovering old rodent droppings under shelving used to store cooking oils and wine, along with serious equipment storage violations that posed immediate health risks to customers. The Castro district market at 699 Castro Street failed this inspection on August 13, 2025, during a follow-up visit by San Francisco Department of Public Health Inspector Katherine Tuazon. The inspection, conducted between 9:45 AM and 10:45 AM, resulted in an immediate closure order that remains in effect.

Critical Health Violations Found

The most serious violation involved the discovery of old rodent droppings and bait traps under shelving areas where the market stored cooking oils and wine products. Inspectors ordered the immediate removal and sanitization of all affected areas, noting that mice produce up to 50 droppings daily that can contain dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. A second critical violation centered on improper equipment storage practices. Health officials found knives and utensils being stored directly in a meat slicer located adjacent to a handwashing sink, along with items improperly stored in a two-compartment sink. This practice creates serious cross-contamination risks, as improperly stored utensils can collect airborne bacteria and spread pathogens to clean surfaces and food contact areas.

Additional Sanitation Concerns

Inspectors also discovered personal hygiene items, including used toothbrushes and toothpaste, stored in a paper cup near the handwashing sink. This violation indicates poor understanding of basic food safety protocols and creates additional contamination risks in food preparation areas. The inspection revealed significant cleaning deficiencies throughout the facility, with dust and debris accumulation underneath shelves and equipment. The market was given 14 days to address these structural cleanliness issues, though the facility remains closed pending resolution of the critical violations.

Health Risks to Customers

The combination of rodent activity and improper equipment storage created a perfect storm of contamination risks for customers shopping at the Castro Street location. Rodent droppings in food storage areas can transmit serious illnesses including Salmonella, E. coli, and potentially fatal hantavirus through airborne particles. The unsafe storage of food preparation equipment near handwashing facilities compounds these risks, as bacteria and viruses from hand sanitizing processes can transfer to knives and utensils used for food preparation. Customers purchasing prepared foods or items requiring on-site processing faced significant exposure to foodborne illness.

Market Background and Location Impact

Reliance Market operates near the Castro St Muni line, serving both neighborhood residents and transit commuters in one of San Francisco's busiest commercial districts. The closure impacts a key convenience shopping location for Castro residents who rely on local markets for daily necessities. This appears to be the market's first recorded health department inspection in the city's database, making it impossible to determine whether these violations represent new issues or ongoing problems that went undetected. The facility remains closed with no reopening date scheduled. Owner Wahhab Sami F must address all critical violations and pass reinspection before the market can resume operations. The San Francisco Department of Public Health has not announced any timeline for potential reopening.