SF School Cafeteria Fails Health Inspection with Rodents

A San Francisco school cafeteria failed its routine health inspection after inspectors discovered rodent droppings behind food storage areas, highlighting serious pest control issues that could expose students and staff to dangerous foodborne illnesses. Sota (school of the Arts), located at 555 Portola Drive in Glen Park, received a failing grade during this inspection on September 30, 2025, when Inspector Katherine Tuazon found evidence of rodent activity in critical food preparation areas.

Health Violations Found

The most serious violation involved the discovery of rodent droppings behind the rice bin, a critical food storage area where students' meals are prepared daily. This violation of California Retail Food Code Section 114259 poses significant health risks, as mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. Inspector Tuazon ordered immediate cleaning and sanitization of all areas affected by the rodent contamination. The presence of rodent droppings near food storage represents a serious threat to food safety, as these pests can spread over 35 different diseases through their droppings, urine, and saliva. Additionally, inspectors cited the facility for lint accumulation on the dish machine hood, requiring cleanup within seven days. While less serious than the rodent issue, this violation indicates broader maintenance concerns that could impact overall sanitation standards.

Inspection Details

The routine inspection lasted from 10:40 AM to 12:00 PM, during which Inspector Tuazon thoroughly examined the school's food service operations. Despite the serious rodent violation, several positive findings emerged from the inspection. All cooling units maintained proper temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring food safety during storage. No improper cooling was observed, though inspectors noted no cooked food was present during the inspection timeframe. All sinks provided hot water above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, with handwash stations measuring 110 degrees Fahrenheit and fully stocked with soap and paper towels. Sanitation protocols appeared adequate in most areas, with all food preparation stations maintaining sanitation buckets containing proper 200 ppm quaternary ammonia concentrations for surface disinfection.

School Food Safety Concerns

The rodent violation at this Glen Park school facility raises particular concerns given the vulnerable population served. Students depend on safe, clean meal preparation, making pest control failures especially problematic for institutional food service operations. Rodent infestations in food service facilities can contaminate ingredients, cooking surfaces, and eating utensils through droppings, urine, and fur. The location behind the rice bin suggests these pests had direct access to a primary food ingredient used in student meals.

Previous Inspection History

This represents the first recorded inspection for Sota (school of the Arts) in available health department records, making it impossible to determine whether this rodent issue represents an ongoing problem or isolated incident. The school must address all violations before potential reinspection to ensure student safety. Inspector Katherine Tuazon can be reached at katherine.tuazon@sfdph.org for questions regarding this inspection. The facility received the report through representative Xiaoqing Luo and must complete all required remediation before serving students again. The school's location near Glen Park BART serves a busy neighborhood where families depend on safe institutional food service. Parents and staff deserve assurance that proper pest control measures will prevent future contamination incidents that could threaten student health and safety.