Uji Time Dessert SOMA Fails Health Inspection Food Surfaces

Uji Time Dessert on 135 4th Street in SOMA failed its health inspection on October 22, 2025, when San Francisco health inspectors discovered unsanitized food contact surfaces that could contaminate desserts and endanger customer health. The routine inspection, conducted by Inspector Danny Lee between 3:15 PM and 3:45 PM, revealed violations that required immediate correction before the restaurant could safely serve customers. The primary concern centered on food contact surfaces that were not properly cleaned and sanitized. This violation appeared twice during this inspection, indicating widespread problems with the restaurant's cleaning protocols. Food contact surfaces include cutting boards, utensils, prep tables, and any equipment that directly touches food during preparation.

Health Violations Found

According to health department records, dirty cutting boards and utensils cause 76% of cross-contamination incidents in commercial kitchens. When food contact surfaces aren't properly sanitized, harmful bacteria can form biofilms that protect pathogens from standard cleaning procedures. A single contaminated surface can spread dangerous microorganisms to dozens of food items, creating a serious public health risk. The violations at Uji Time Dessert fall under California Retail Food Code Section 114099, 114099.6, and 114117, which mandate strict protocols for cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces that come into contact with food. These regulations exist to prevent foodborne illnesses that can cause severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in vulnerable populations, hospitalization. For a dessert establishment, unsanitized food contact surfaces pose particular concerns. Sweet preparations often involve extensive handling, mixing, and plating that could transfer contaminants directly to finished products. Customers expecting fresh, safe desserts could unknowingly consume items prepared on contaminated surfaces.

Inspection Details

Inspector Danny Lee documented the violations as "corrected on site," meaning the restaurant staff addressed the immediate cleaning and sanitizing issues during the inspection. However, the failure designation indicates the problems were significant enough to warrant official documentation and follow-up monitoring. The inspection occurred during afternoon hours when the restaurant would typically be preparing for evening service. The timing suggests customers visiting later that day would have benefited from the corrections made during the inspection process.

Restaurant Background

Located near Civic Center BART in San Francisco's SOMA district, Uji Time Dessert serves the busy downtown corridor frequented by office workers, residents, and tourists. The restaurant's proximity to major transit makes it a convenient stop for commuters seeking desserts and beverages. This represents the establishment's first recorded health inspection since opening, making it impossible to determine whether cleaning protocol issues represent ongoing problems or isolated incidents. The restaurant operates in a competitive dessert market where food safety reputation can significantly impact customer trust and business success. The San Francisco Department of Public Health requires restaurants to maintain detailed cleaning schedules and staff training records to prevent violations like those found at Uji Time Dessert. Establishments must demonstrate consistent adherence to sanitizing protocols to protect public health and maintain operating permits. Moving forward, Uji Time Dessert will likely face increased scrutiny during future inspections to ensure proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures remain consistently implemented throughout daily operations.