Whole Foods Market Closed for Ice Machine Dripping on Floor

Whole Foods Market in the Tenderloin was forced to close its doors on August 13, 2025, after health inspectors discovered an ice machine drain line leaking wastewater directly onto the floor in the meat and seafood section. The shocking violation posed immediate contamination risks for customers shopping for fresh food in one of the store's most critical departments. Inspector Katie Dea documented the serious plumbing violation during a follow-up inspection at the grocery market located near Powell St BART. The ice machine's flexible drain line was found dripping liquid waste onto the floor instead of properly disposing of it through an air gap into the designated floor sink below.

Critical Health Violations Force Immediate Closure

The ice machine drainage problem created a direct pathway for contamination in the store's meat and seafood section, where customers handle fresh proteins and prepared foods. Health officials classified this as a critical plumbing violation requiring immediate attention due to the potential for bacterial growth and cross-contamination. In addition to the drainage issue, inspectors discovered a completely non-functional dishwasher in the main preparation kitchen. Staff were forced to manually wash all food contact surfaces while waiting for repairs, creating additional food safety risks in the facility's busiest food prep area. The inspection revealed concerning maintenance issues throughout the facility, including debris buildup inside a prep cooler's condenser panel and accumulated dirt on floors and walls in the warewash area. A fly light was improperly positioned above the warewash sink, violating health codes that prohibit pest control devices near food preparation areas.

Sanitizer Failures and Equipment Breakdown

Perhaps most alarming, deli staff were using sanitizer spray bottles with zero parts per million of quaternary ammonia, effectively meaning they had no sanitizing power whatsoever. This violation was corrected on-site when inspectors discovered sanitizer solution was available but not properly mixed in the spray bottles used throughout the day. The store also failed to maintain proper hand washing facilities in the upstairs bakery, where a recently reinstalled hand sink lacked adequate splash guards and had soap and paper towel dispensers positioned too far from the washing station.

Facility's Troubled Inspection History

This inspection marked the latest in a series of compliance issues for the Tenderloin location. The facility received a conditional pass during a November 4 follow-up inspection and had previously undergone a reinspection in September that resulted in a passing grade. The store was given 30 days to secure the ice machine drain line to a rigid pipe structure and provide photographic documentation of repairs to Inspector Dea. Additional violations required immediate attention to the broken dishwasher, with manual washing protocols mandated until professional repairs could be completed.

Impact on Tenderloin Shoppers

The closure affects residents in one of San Francisco's most densely populated neighborhoods, where the Whole Foods serves as a primary source for fresh groceries and prepared foods. The contamination risks posed by the equipment failures and inadequate sanitizing procedures could have exposed countless customers to foodborne illness risks. The facility remains closed pending completion of required repairs and verification of compliance with all health department mandates. Shoppers seeking alternatives can access other grocery options via the nearby Powell Street transit hub. Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections