A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
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.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.