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.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Water not safe, or hot (100°F) and cold water not available under pressure.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.