Super Save Supermarket Gets Conditional Pass for Minor Issues

Super Save Supermarket at 4517 3rd Street in Bayview received a conditional pass during its November 25 health inspection, allowing the store to continue operations while addressing eight minor violations that inspectors found during their routine visit. The Super Save Supermarket inspection revealed manageable issues that can be corrected without forcing the establishment to close, demonstrating that while improvements are needed, the facility maintains basic food safety standards that allow continued service to the community. The violations discovered during this inspection focused primarily on certification requirements, handwashing facilities, and equipment maintenance rather than serious contamination risks.

Key Violations Requiring Attention

The most significant finding was the absence of a valid food safety manager's certificate, which inspectors noted when the operator could not provide proper documentation during the inspection. This certification requirement ensures that at least one staff member has formal training in food safety protocols, and the restaurant has been instructed to send a copy of the certificate to the health department. Handwashing facilities in the meat department presented two concerns that were corrected on-site during the inspection. Inspectors found that soap and paper towel dispensers at the back-of-house meat department handwashing station were empty, compromising proper hand hygiene protocols. Additionally, they discovered crawfish claws and food debris in the handwashing sink itself, which violates regulations requiring these sinks to be used exclusively for handwashing. The sanitizer system also required adjustment, with inspectors finding that the chlorine sanitizer solution in buckets at the front meat department measured only 25 parts per million instead of the required 100 ppm concentration. This lower concentration reduces the effectiveness of sanitizing food contact surfaces and equipment.

Equipment and Maintenance Issues

Several equipment-related violations were identified that affect the store's overall cleanliness and food storage capabilities. Fan guards inside multiple refrigeration units, including the beer walk-in, beverage walk-in, and standalone food refrigeration units, showed significant debris buildup that requires cleaning and maintenance. The inspection also revealed that cardboard was being used inappropriately to line shelves storing meat in the front-of-house meat department freezer. Health regulations require smooth, durable, non-porous materials that can be easily cleaned and sanitized, making cardboard an unsuitable choice for food storage areas. Minor flooring damage in the meat department walk-in refrigerator where standing water and blood were observed needs repair to maintain proper sanitation standards. Additionally, the facility lacked approved chemical test strips necessary for monitoring chlorine sanitizer concentration levels.

Food Labeling and Corrections

Packaged baked goods throughout the store were found without proper manufacturer information, missing required details such as common names, preparation locations, net weight, and ingredient lists in descending order for items containing multiple ingredients. The positive aspect of the inspection was that several violations were corrected immediately on-site, including restocking handwashing stations and removing inappropriate cardboard shelving. This quick response demonstrates the management's commitment to maintaining health standards.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Located near the T-Third Muni line, Super Save Supermarket serves the Bayview community and can continue normal operations while implementing the required corrections. The conditional pass status indicates that while improvements are necessary, the violations are not severe enough to warrant closure or pose immediate public health risks. The facility will likely receive a follow-up inspection to ensure all violations have been properly addressed and that ongoing compliance measures are in place to maintain food safety standards for customers throughout the Bayview district.