CLOSURE NOTICE
Spice Of America Closed by Health Department
October 31, 2025
12:20 PM - 4:00 AM
Routine Inspection
12
Total Violations
5
Critical
7
Major
1
Corrected On Site
Inspector's Report
Health permit immediately suspended due to severe vermin infestation throughout facility. Live cockroaches of various life stages found inside oven and on glue traps, heavy filth fly activity near dishwasher and prep areas, live juvenile rodent discovered upstairs with heavy rodent droppings in ventilation space and multiple locations including food storage areas. Additional violations include inadequate handwashing facilities, contaminated food with flies, rodent droppings on food contact surfaces and packaging, malfunctioning dishwasher sanitizer at 25 PPM instead of required 50 PPM, non-operational refrigeration equipment with mold, and accumulated grease throughout cooking areas.
Violations Cited
12
#13
CRITICAL
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
What Was Observed
Observed filth flies (gnats/drain flies) on the lid of a sauce bottle and inside of bottle.
#14
CRITICAL
Food Contact Surfaces: Clean and Sanitized
Why This Matters
Dirty cutting boards and utensils cause 76% of cross-contamination. Biofilms protect bacteria from cleaning. One contaminated surface spreads pathogens to dozens of foods.
What Was Observed
Observed rodent droppings in hallway on top of open bags of to-go lids. Discard any cases or packages of lids that has open plastic. Sanitize all other CLOSED packages of lids and place them into a rigid plastic container with lid.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114099, 114099.6, 114117
#23
CRITICAL
No Insects, Rodents, Birds or Non-Service Animals
Why This Matters
Mice produce 50 droppings daily containing Salmonella and hantavirus. Cockroaches carry 33 bacteria types and 6 parasitic worms. Rats spread plague and leptospirosis.
What Was Observed
Observed live cockroaches of various life stages on the inside of the oven door and panel crevices. Also observed several cockroaches dying on a glue trap on the floor near the cook line. Observed filth flies (drain flies) in heavy numbers near the automatic dishwasher, floor drain near automatic dishwasher and on food contact surfaces and food in prep area. Observed one live juvenile rodent upstairs in the ventilation space. Observed a heavy accumulation of rodent droppings in ventilation space and pungent odor of urine.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114259, 114259.1, 114259.3
#43
CRITICAL
Premises; Personal/Cleaning Items; Vermin Proofing
Why This Matters
Clutter provides harborage for rodents and cockroaches. Cardboard harbors cockroach eggs. Each egg case contains 30-40 nymphs.
What Was Observed
Observed rodent droppings in multiple areas: inside storage cabinet in hallway near restrooms, inside chest freezer compressor area, on top of food storage containers in exit hallway, inside various boxes of to-go container lids, in back corner of exit hallway, and upstairs in loft area on top of ventilation ducts where live juvenile rodent, nesting material and majority of rodent droppings and odor of urine were found. Accumulated grease found throughout cooking equipment including oven, range, flat top grill, single burner stove, underneath hood and fire suppression nozzles.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114067, 114123
#CLOSURE
CRITICAL
Immediate Health Permit Suspension and Closure
What Was Observed
The permit to operate is hereby temporarily suspended, and the facility is ordered immediately closed due to vermin infestation and sanitation issues. See violations #23 and #14.
#34
MAJOR
Warewash Facilities: Installed, Maintained, Used; Test Strips
Why This Matters
Improper dishwashing spreads pathogens across all dishes. Hepatitis A survives on improperly washed dishes for weeks. Causes recurring outbreak cycles.
What Was Observed
Automatic dishwasher sanitizer measured 25 PPM. Automatic dishwashers must dispense sanitizer solution at 50 PPM for chlorine. DO NOT USE automatic dishwasher until it has been serviced and sanitizer solution measures 50 PPM.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114095, 114099
#35
MAJOR
Equipment Approved: Clean; Installed; Good Repair; Capacity
Why This Matters
Household equipment cannot withstand commercial use and harbors bacteria in cracks. Latex gloves cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
What Was Observed
Observed the following equipment in a non operational state: Ice machine, Under counter reach-in refrigeration unit, Upright refrigerator with mold growing on inside of unit.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114130, 114160
#37
MAJOR
Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas, Use
What Was Observed
Observed a heavy accumulation of soot and grease on the make-up air registers and support chains. Last hood service listed was 10-26-2024 with next service due 4-26-2025.
#41
MAJOR
Refuse Properly Disposed & Area Maintained
What Was Observed
Observed greasy non operational equipment in refuse area. Heavy fly activity in refuse area. Discard non-operational equipment and clean ground area of refuse area including the interior and exterior of the trash receptacles.
#44
MAJOR
Floors, Walls and Ceiling: Built, Maintained and Clean
Why This Matters
Cracks and holes allow pest entry and make cleaning impossible. Deteriorated surfaces harbor bacteria that contaminate food and equipment.
What Was Observed
Observed an accumulation of food residue and scraps on flooring underneath cook line. Observed food residue and vermin (dead cockroaches) on walls in kitchen area.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114143, 114266
#6
MAJOR
Adequate Hand Washing Facilities
Why This Matters
Missing handwashing supplies forces employees to skip handwashing. Studies show only 31% of workers wash hands properly when supplies are inadequate. Spreads norovirus to hundreds.
What Was Observed
Observed no single use disposable paper towels at hand sink in POS area. All hand sinks must be stocked with soap, warm water and single use disposable paper towels at all times.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 113953, 113953.1, 113953.2
#6
MAJOR
Adequate Hand Washing Facilities
Why This Matters
Missing handwashing supplies forces employees to skip handwashing. Studies show only 31% of workers wash hands properly when supplies are inadequate. Spreads norovirus to hundreds.
What Was Observed
Observed no single use disposable paper towels at hand sink in POS area. All hand sinks must be stocked with soap, warm water and single use disposable paper towels at all times.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 113953, 113953.1, 113953.2
Inspector Information
Email
tiombe.wiley@sfdph.org
Received By
Rajesh