Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.