Daldas Community Market Gets Conditional Pass on SF Inspection

Daldas Community Market on Eddy Street received a conditional pass during its November 12 health department reinspection, allowing the Tenderloin market to continue serving customers while addressing minor refrigeration equipment violations. The inspection, conducted between 4:45 PM and 5:15 PM by health inspector John Wells, identified one major violation related to equipment maintenance that requires prompt attention but does not pose an immediate threat requiring closure. The market, located at 186 Eddy Street near Powell St BART/Muni, can remain operational while implementing necessary corrections.

Refrigeration Equipment Issues

During this inspection, health officials discovered multiple cooling units operating outside optimal temperature ranges. The most significant concern involved a 5-door freezer where doors A, D, and E showed torn door gaskets, compromising the unit's ability to maintain proper temperatures. Temperature measurements revealed the freezer maintained ambient temperatures between 32°F and 41°F, with extensive mini icicles and frozen droplets on packages indicating foods had undergone repeated thaw-refreeze cycles. This pattern suggests ongoing equipment deterioration that requires immediate professional attention. Additional temperature violations were found in other cooling equipment throughout the facility. A 4-tier, open-faced cooler registered an ambient temperature of 62°F, with foods measuring between 46°F and 66°F - well above safe refrigeration standards. In the walk-in cooler area, temperatures near the milk storage section measured 56°F, though deeper areas maintained more acceptable temperatures of 45°F to 46°F.

Equipment Maintenance Requirements

The violations fall under California Retail Food Code Section 114130 and 114160, which mandate that commercial food equipment must be properly maintained, installed in good repair, and operate at adequate capacity. Inspector Wells cited concerns about equipment capacity and the potential for bacterial growth in damaged gasket areas. The torn door gaskets on the freezer unit represent the primary maintenance issue requiring correction. These damaged seals allow warm air infiltration, forcing the cooling system to work harder while failing to maintain consistent temperatures. The resulting thaw-refreeze cycles can compromise food quality and safety over time.

Continued Operations

Despite these equipment concerns, Daldas Community Market received a conditional pass rather than a closure order, indicating that the violations, while requiring attention, do not present immediate health risks to customers. The market can continue normal operations while scheduling necessary repairs and equipment maintenance. The conditional pass designation requires the establishment to address the cited violations within a specified timeframe and undergo a follow-up inspection to verify compliance. This approach allows local residents in the Tenderloin neighborhood to maintain access to essential grocery services while ensuring food safety standards are met. Owner Vikramjit Singh, representing Daldas Inc., received the inspection report and must coordinate with qualified technicians to repair the freezer door gaskets and address the cooling system issues affecting multiple units throughout the facility.

Community Impact

The market serves an important role in the Tenderloin community, providing convenient access to groceries and essential items for residents near the Powell St BART/Muni station. The conditional pass ensures continued service availability while maintaining public health standards through required equipment improvements. This represents the facility's first recorded inspection in the city database, making it difficult to establish patterns of compliance or recurring issues. The health department will schedule a follow-up inspection once the required repairs are completed to verify that all temperature control systems operate within acceptable parameters.