Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Sewage or wastewater not disposed of properly — backups can contaminate the whole kitchen.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.