Noah's New York Bagels Closed for Raw Egg Contamination

Health inspectors forced the closure of Noah's New York Bagels #2113 in San Francisco's Financial District after discovering employee lunch bags in direct contact with raw shelled eggs in the walk-in cooler, creating dangerous cross-contamination risks for customers. The shocking discovery during this inspection on August 22, 2025, prompted immediate closure of the popular bagel shop located at 100 Bush Street near the Montgomery St BART station. Inspector Alyssa Manzano conducted the follow-up inspection from 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM, uncovering violations that posed serious health risks to the thousands of commuters and office workers who frequent this Financial District location.

Health Violations Found

The most alarming violation involved cross-contamination in the walk-in cooler, where employee personal lunch bags were found in direct contact with raw shelled eggs. This dangerous practice creates pathways for Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria to spread from raw eggs to ready-to-eat foods, potentially causing severe foodborne illness in customers who consumed contaminated bagels, cream cheese, or other prepared items. Additional violations discovered during the inspection painted a picture of widespread food safety failures throughout the establishment. Inspectors found boxes of food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer, violating basic food storage protocols that prevent contamination from floor moisture and cleaning chemicals. The facility's equipment issues extended to critical refrigeration systems, with inspectors documenting torn gaskets on the undercounter refrigerator beneath the espresso machine. These damaged seals compromise temperature control and create harboring spots for bacteria that could contaminate milk, cream, and other perishable ingredients used in popular coffee drinks.

Cleanliness Concerns

Beyond the immediate food safety threats, inspectors noted concerning cleanliness issues throughout the establishment. Dust accumulation on security camera wiring above the prep cooler demonstrated poor maintenance practices that could allow contaminants to fall onto food preparation surfaces below. The point-of-sale counter area revealed additional problems, with inspectors finding debris accumulation underneath both the POS counter and display cooler. This buildup creates ideal conditions for pest attraction and bacterial growth in areas where customers place orders and view food products.

Financial District Impact

The closure significantly impacts the busy Financial District dining scene, where office workers and BART commuters rely on quick breakfast and lunch options. Noah's New York Bagels serves a high-volume customer base in one of San Francisco's most densely populated business areas, making the food safety violations particularly concerning given the potential exposure to thousands of daily customers. The establishment, operated by Einstein and Noah Corp, had no previous inspection history on record, making this the facility's first documented health department evaluation. The company can be reached at (763) 592-2200 regarding the closure and remediation efforts.

Customer Health Risks

The raw egg contamination poses serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations including pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems. Salmonella infections can cause severe symptoms including high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting that may require hospitalization. The restaurant remains closed with no announced reopening date. The establishment must address all violations and pass a reinspection before resuming operations in this critical downtown location.