Subway 31419 Gets Conditional Pass for Temperature Issues

Subway 31419 on San Bruno Avenue received a conditional pass during its November 21 health inspection after inspectors discovered temperature control issues and certification problems that require correction but allow the restaurant to remain operational. During the routine inspection conducted between 11:30 AM and 12:15 PM, Health Inspector Montre Tieu identified two primary violations at the fast food establishment located at 2599 San Bruno Ave in the southeastern San Francisco neighborhood. The most significant concern involved sliced tomatoes stored at 48.5°F in a refrigerator unit that was operating at 57°F, well above the safe temperature threshold for perishable foods.

Temperature Control Violations

The temperature violation represented a major food safety concern, as improper cold holding temperatures can create conditions for dangerous bacterial growth. According to health department guidelines, potentially hazardous foods like cut tomatoes must be maintained at 41°F or below to prevent the multiplication of harmful pathogens including Listeria, which can grow even at refrigeration temperatures. Inspector Tieu immediately had the improperly stored tomatoes relocated to a back refrigeration unit that was maintaining proper temperatures. The quick corrective action allowed the violation to be marked as "corrected on site" during this inspection, demonstrating the restaurant staff's cooperation with health department requirements. Temperature abuse is responsible for approximately 63% of foodborne illness outbreaks, making proper cold storage critical for customer safety. The violation falls under California Retail Food Code Section 113996, which mandates specific temperature controls for potentially hazardous foods.

Certification Issues

The second violation involved missing manager food safety certification documentation. While the restaurant had an employee with a food handler certificate on duty, health regulations require that a certified food safety manager be present or available during operating hours. This administrative violation, while considered major under health code classifications, did not pose an immediate risk to food safety operations. The certification requirement ensures that management personnel have received comprehensive training in food safety protocols, including proper temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and sanitation procedures that protect public health.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Despite the violations, the conditional pass allows Subway 31419 to continue serving customers while addressing the identified issues. The restaurant, operated by RPS Universal Inc and reachable at (650) 504-4858, must take corrective action to achieve full compliance with health department standards. The conditional pass status indicates that while violations were found, they were not severe enough to warrant immediate closure. The restaurant has demonstrated the ability to correct issues promptly, as evidenced by the immediate relocation of improperly stored tomatoes during the inspection.

First Recorded Inspection

This represents the first recorded health inspection for this Subway location in the city's database, making it difficult to establish patterns of compliance or improvement. The restaurant's willingness to immediately address the temperature violation suggests a commitment to maintaining food safety standards required by San Francisco health regulations. Customers can continue to visit the Visitacion Valley area location while the restaurant works to obtain proper manager certification and ensure all refrigeration equipment maintains appropriate temperatures for safe food storage.