SF Portola Grocery Outlet Closed for Facility Violations

Portola Grocery Outlet in Visitacion Valley was ordered to cease operations following a failed follow-up inspection that uncovered multiple facility violations threatening food safety standards. The grocery store at 1390 Silver Avenue was shuttered by health inspector Roy Bwogi on August 14, 2025, after the facility failed to address critical infrastructure problems.

Critical Lighting and Equipment Failures

The most concerning discovery during this inspection involved burnt-out light bulbs in the walk-in freezer and employee restroom areas. Proper lighting is essential for food safety operations, allowing staff to identify spoilage, contamination, and maintain sanitary conditions. The darkness in the walk-in freezer created dangerous blind spots where food safety issues could go undetected. Inspector Bwogi also found missing display thermometers at the open display coolers near the front sales area. These thermometers are critical for ensuring refrigerated foods remain at safe temperatures to prevent bacterial growth and foodborne illness. Without proper temperature monitoring, customers could unknowingly purchase dairy products, prepared foods, and other perishables that may have reached dangerous temperature zones.

Facility Maintenance Issues

The inspection revealed extensive facility deterioration that created numerous sanitation issues. Broken and missing cove base tiles were found in the employee restroom, with loose rubber cove base strips adjacent to the restroom area. These gaps and damaged surfaces provide harborage areas for pests and make proper cleaning nearly impossible. More alarming were holes discovered in walls throughout the back storage area. These openings create entry points for rodents and insects while making pest control efforts ineffective. The back storage area adjacent to the meat walk-in refrigerator was found cluttered with items stored directly on the floor rather than elevated the required six inches above ground level.

Cleaning and Maintenance Deficiencies

Food debris was scattered across floors, corners, and floor drains, particularly in the back storage area where food products are handled. This accumulation of organic matter attracts pests and creates breeding grounds for bacteria. Additionally, dust had accumulated on vent covers inside the restrooms, indicating poor maintenance practices throughout the facility. The combination of these violations painted a picture of a grocery operation struggling with basic facility maintenance and food safety protocols. Customers shopping at Portola Grocery Outlet would have encountered a facility where food storage temperatures were not properly monitored, where lighting was inadequate for safe food handling, and where cleaning standards had deteriorated significantly.

Health Department Response

This follow-up inspection suggests the facility had previous violations that remained unaddressed. The health department's decision to close the operation indicates the severity of the cumulative violations and their potential impact on public health. The facility received three minor violations, but the combination of infrastructure failures warranted immediate closure. Inspector Roy Bwogi conducted the inspection from 3:00 PM to 4:40 PM, documenting violations that required immediate attention before the facility could safely serve the Visitacion Valley community. The grocery store, operated by RDC Food Inc, must address all violations and pass a reinspection before reopening. The closure highlights the importance of ongoing facility maintenance in food service operations, where even seemingly minor issues can compound to create serious public health risks for customers relying on safe food storage and handling practices.