Sun Valley Market Passes Reinspection After Rodent Violations

Sun Valley Market in Glen Park successfully passed a health reinspection on December 1, 2025, after correcting serious violations that included rodent droppings, improper food storage in restrooms, and equipment cleanliness issues discovered during their initial inspection on November 24. The market located at 1601 Church Street near the 24th Street Mission BART station had faced multiple health code violations that posed significant risks to customer safety and food contamination. The original inspection revealed conditions that could have exposed shoppers to serious foodborne illnesses and unsanitary conditions.

Violations Corrected During Reinspection

Inspector Katie Dea confirmed that all previously cited violations had been properly addressed during the December 1 reinspection. The most serious issue involved rodent activity throughout the facility, with rodent droppings found in food preparation and storage areas. The market provided documentation of professional pest control services conducted on November 26, and all entry points identified by exterminators had been permanently sealed. Food storage violations presented another significant health risk to customers. During the original inspection, food items were discovered stored in the restroom area, creating potential contamination from bacteria, chemicals, and unsanitary conditions. This violation directly threatens food safety as restroom environments harbor dangerous pathogens including E. coli and salmonella that can cause severe foodborne illness. Equipment maintenance issues also required correction, including dirty fan guards in the walk-in cooler that could contaminate stored products. Additionally, a structural crack under the restroom sink had been identified and required sealing to prevent pest entry and moisture problems.

Health Implications and Customer Safety

The original violations at Sun Valley Market represented serious threats to public health. Rodent contamination can spread diseases including salmonella, hantavirus, and leptospirosis through droppings, urine, and hair. Food stored in restroom areas faces contamination from airborne bacteria and cleaning chemicals, potentially causing severe gastrointestinal illness in customers who consume affected products. Dirty equipment in refrigerated storage areas can harbor bacteria and mold, leading to food spoilage and contamination that may not be visible to consumers. These conditions create environments where dangerous pathogens can multiply rapidly, especially concerning in a grocery store where customers purchase raw ingredients for home consumption.

Inspection Details and Compliance

The December 1 reinspection lasted 20 minutes, from 10:35 AM to 10:55 AM, with Inspector Katie Dea confirming all corrections had been completed satisfactorily. The facility representative, identified as Shawki, received the inspection results but refused to sign the documentation, though this does not affect the passing status. The market's successful compliance demonstrates the effectiveness of San Francisco's health inspection system in protecting public safety. Quick correction of serious violations shows the establishment's commitment to maintaining proper food safety standards for Glen Park residents and visitors. This reinspection represents the facility's first recorded inspection in available public records, making it difficult to establish patterns of compliance or previous violations. The market's prompt response to addressing serious health code violations indicates management's understanding of food safety responsibilities in serving the local community.