SF Tea Shop Fails Health Inspection with Rodent Infestation

Health inspectors discovered serious violations at Plentea, a popular tea shop in San Francisco's Mission Bay district, during this inspection on October 16, 2025. The routine inspection resulted in a failing grade due to multiple major health code violations, including evidence of rodents and improper food storage practices that put customer safety at risk.

Major Health Violations Discovered

The most concerning discovery was evidence of rodent activity throughout the establishment. Inspectors cited the restaurant twice for violation #23, "No insects, rodents, birds or nonservice animals," indicating a significant pest control problem that was serious enough to warrant multiple citations during the same visit. Health experts warn that mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily, each potentially containing dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and hantavirus that pose serious health risks to customers. Equally troubling were multiple violations of food protection standards. Inspectors found two separate instances of violation #27, "Food separated and protected," suggesting that ready-to-eat foods were not properly stored away from potential contamination sources. This type of violation creates prime conditions for cross-contamination, where harmful bacteria from raw foods or contaminated surfaces can spread to foods that customers consume without further cooking.

Equipment and Safety Issues

The inspection also revealed problems with the restaurant's equipment and facilities. Inspectors cited multiple violations for unapproved or improperly maintained equipment, including violation #35 for equipment that was not clean, properly installed, or in good repair. Such equipment failures can harbor dangerous bacteria in cracks and crevices that are impossible to clean properly, creating ongoing food safety hazards. Additional violations were found regarding facility maintenance and cleanliness standards, suggesting systemic issues with the restaurant's approach to food safety and sanitation protocols.

Customer Health Implications

The combination of rodent infestation and improper food storage creates a perfect storm for foodborne illness. Customers who visited Plentea during this period may have been exposed to contaminated food or surfaces. Rodent-related contamination can lead to serious illnesses including salmonellosis, which causes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever that can last for days. The food protection violations mean that drinks and food items may have been exposed to cross-contamination from raw ingredients, dirty surfaces, or pest-related contamination. Such conditions have been linked to outbreaks that can affect hundreds of people when not properly addressed.

Restaurant Response and Follow-Up

Located at 1515 3rd Street in the bustling Mission Bay neighborhood near the T-Third Muni line, Plentea serves the growing residential and business community in one of San Francisco's newest districts. The restaurant was not forced to close during the inspection, but several violations were marked as "corrected on site," indicating that immediate action was required and taken during the inspector's visit. Following the failed inspection, the establishment underwent a reinspection on October 24, 2025, which resulted in a conditional pass. This suggests that while some issues were addressed, continued monitoring remains necessary to ensure full compliance with health standards. The inspection was conducted by Roy Bwogi between 3:00 PM and 4:20 PM, resulting in 10 total violations - four major and six minor. For a business serving beverages and food to the public, such a high number of violations raises serious questions about ongoing food safety practices and management oversight.