Jin Pot Restaurant Closed for Eggs Above Ready-to-Eat Food

Jin Pot restaurant in San Francisco's Inner Richmond district has been ordered closed by health inspectors after dangerous food storage violations that put customers at serious risk of foodborne illness. The restaurant at 5158 Geary Boulevard failed a follow-up inspection on November 5, 2025, when inspectors discovered raw eggs stored directly above cut watermelon and other ready-to-eat foods in a reach-in refrigerator.

Critical Health Violations Discovered

During this inspection, health inspector Jessica Jang found a carton of eggs placed on a shelf above cut watermelon and ready-to-eat foods in the restaurant's back refrigerator. This violation of California Retail Food Code sections 113986 and 113988 creates an immediate risk of cross-contamination, as raw eggs can carry dangerous pathogens including salmonella and campylobacter that could drip onto foods consumed without further cooking. The storage arrangement discovered at Jin Pot represents one of the most serious food safety violations restaurants can commit. Raw eggs must always be stored below ready-to-eat items to prevent bacterial contamination from shell surfaces or potential leakage. When eggs are positioned above fresh fruits and other foods that customers consume directly, any dripping or spillage can introduce harmful bacteria that cause severe foodborne illness.

Immediate Health Risks to Customers

Customers who consumed fresh fruit or other ready-to-eat items at Jin Pot during the period before the closure faced potential exposure to salmonella and campylobacter bacteria. These pathogens can cause symptoms including severe diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting that can last for several days. In vulnerable populations including children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems, such infections can lead to serious complications requiring hospitalization. The violation was particularly concerning because it involved cut watermelon, which provides an ideal environment for bacterial growth due to its high water content and neutral pH. When contaminated with raw egg residue, cut melon can become a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria that multiply rapidly at improper storage temperatures.

Restaurant Operations Suspended

The San Francisco Department of Public Health immediately ordered Jin Pot to cease operations following the inspection. The restaurant, operated by Bay Foodie Corporation, must correct all violations and pass a reinspection before being allowed to reopen to the public. Health officials emphasized that proper food storage protocols are fundamental requirements that cannot be compromised.

First-Time Inspection Issues

This appears to be Jin Pot's first recorded health inspection, suggesting the restaurant is relatively new to the competitive Inner Richmond dining scene along the 38 Geary bus corridor. The immediate closure for such a basic food safety violation raises questions about staff training and management oversight of proper food handling procedures. The closure serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly simple storage mistakes can have serious consequences for public health. Restaurants must maintain strict separation between raw animal products and ready-to-eat foods at all times to prevent the kind of dangerous cross-contamination discovered at Jin Pot. Health officials encourage anyone who recently dined at Jin Pot and experienced symptoms of foodborne illness to contact their healthcare provider and report the incident to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.