At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
81/ 100 · 19 points taken off
6 problems found · 1 marked critical · Routine county inspection · Mar 20, 2026
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. Bakery Panaderia La Mejor got more than most.
Compared with 9,600 Santa Clara County food places. Each place's last routine inspection counts.
What was found out about Bakery Panaderia La Mejor?
It's fair to care about this. Here's what the county found. Tap any item to see how a kitchen fixes it.
- Marked critical: Hand sink not ready to use K06How to fixFix it
- Equipment in poor repair K35How to fixFix it
- Food thawed the wrong way K26How to fixFix it
Source: County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
We review Santa Clara County health data to make this report. We are not the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health.
Visit them directly at deh.santaclaracounty.gov (opens the department's site) · How we review
For Bakery Panaderia La Mejor's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, Bakery Panaderia La Mejor. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim Bakery Panaderia La Mejor first; we check that you run it.
Your whole team can help. Each person gets one next step, and everyone can see what's done.
This is my place: claim Bakery Panaderia La MejorWe'll help you get every item done. You don't have to do it alone.
We know an inspection can feel heavy, especially when it's busy.
Fix it together
Follow the steps for each item, with the rule beside it.
Next: Hand sink not ready to useThe county found: “Facility has removed the handwash sink from the front of house area. The water lines and waste pipe connetions are…”
First step: Hand sinks are for hands only
Then the next one: Equipment in poor repair
Log it
Your team logs the fix on their phones, with the time and who did it.
Show what you did
Saying what you fixed, in your own words, builds trust. Families and regulars respect a kitchen that owns it and fixes it.
Each fix step comes from the rule it names: Food Code 2-301.15, Food Code 3-501.13, Food Code 3-501.17, Food Code 6-501.112.
Try it yourself
Fix and log it: Hand sink not ready to use
A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.
0 of 3 done
Hand sinks are for hands only
From Food Code 2-301.15
Logged
That's one done. We'll be here for the next.
What people see now
Today, people see the department's words and nothing from you.
What people see after you fix and log it
Example reply
CleanCleaverBusiness reply
Your business replied to this with the public statement:
We fixed this the same day. Now our team logs it on their phones at open and close.
The date of your reply
This is not an official update to the health inspection report. The county's record is unchanged.
Most kitchens get something cited at some point. What people remember is that you fixed it.
Want to join the restaurants in Santa Clara County that keep their kitchens clean and put their guests' health first?
Claim Bakery Panaderia La MejorWe'll set it up with you. 25 days free.
Replies are part of a paid plan. We read each one before it goes up. You can take it down any time. Only the department can change its record.
Do you work there, and someone else owns it? I work there
What people see next
Under each item here, people see what you fixed, in your words.
Left alone, or fixed together
Left alone, the same items can come back at the next inspection. Fixed together, they're done.
Not your place?
CleanCleaver puts these same items on your team's phones, with the rule beside each one. Your binder is ready when the inspector is.
25 days free. Cancel anytime.
Inspections
From County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health · 2 inspections on record · Last checked Oct 6, 2026
The county visited once in the last 12 months (1 routine).
Every visit
LatestMar 20, 2026Routine inspection81 out of 100 (Green placard)
This one: 81 out of 100 (Green placard), inspected Mar 20, 2026.
6 violations listed, 1 marked critical.
Critical (1)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
Facility has removed the handwash sink from the front of house area. The water lines and waste pipe connetions are still present. An Environmental Health handwash reminder sign was still posted. [CA] All food facilities shall provide an operable handwashing station. [SA] Facility to wash hands in the first basin of the three compartment sink as demonstrated. Reinstall the handwash sink within 30 days.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Food Code 5-205.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Hand sinks are for hands only
- Wash only at a handwashing sink.
- Never wash hands in the dish sink, a food prep sink, a mop sink, or a drink cooler.
- Never dump drinks, rinse utensils or fill pitchers at the hand sink.
From Food Code 2-301.15
Soap and hand sanitizer
4 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Handwashing
The full guide has 4 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Bakery Panaderia La Mejor? Fix it
Not critical (5)
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
Facility has a non ANSI accredited microwave. [CA] New and/or replacement food equipment shall be certified or classified for sanitation by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification program (e.g. NSF, UL EPH, UL Sanitation, CSA Sanitation, or ETL Sanitation).
Food Code 4-101.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Look over the equipment; report anything broken
Equipment in good repair
In CleanCleaver: Look over the equipment; report anything broken
Are you Bakery Panaderia La Mejor? Fix it
The department's words
K26 Approved thawing methods used; frozen food
Facility was found thawing cream frosting in the first basin of the three compartment sink at ambient temperatures. [CA] Frozen potentially hazardous food shall only be thawed in one of the following ways: 1) under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F or below, 2) completely submerged under potable running water for a period not to exceed two hours at a water temperature of 70°F or below, and with sufficient water velocity to agitate and flush off loose particles into the sink drain, 3) in a microwave oven if immediately followed by immediate preparation, 4) as part of a cooking process. [COS] Item was moved to the upright cooler.
Food Code 3-501.13
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
4 safe ways
- 1. In the fridge (best): on the bottom shelf in a pan, at 41°F or below. Plan about 1 day per 4–5 pounds.
- 2. Under cold running water: fully covered by water that is 70°F or colder, in a clean sink. Cook right away.
- 3. In the microwave: then cook right away.
- 4. As part of cooking: cook straight from frozen. Allow about 50% more time and probe to the usual temperature.
From Food Code 3-501.13
Never
2 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Thawing frozen food
The full guide has 2 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Bakery Panaderia La Mejor? Fix it
The department's words
K32 Food properly labeled and honestly presented
Facility is preparing and packaging jello and fresh juices without the proper labeling. [CA] Food prepackaged in a food facility shall bear a label with the following: 1) common name of the food, 2) list of ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight, 3) quantity of contents, 4) name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Note: Ensure to add pasteurization warning clause to juices. "WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness i nchildren, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems."
Food Code 3-302.12
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
What every label shows
- The three must-haves: what it is, when it must be used, and how to store it. Then add:
- Date made, opened or received
- Allergens (for example, "Contains: eggs")
From Food Code 3-501.17
Storage words to use
2 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Food labels
The full guide has 2 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Bakery Panaderia La Mejor? Fix it
The department's words
K23 No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
Flies are present in the facility. [CA] Ensure to maintain the facility free of animals, pests, and vermin.
Food Code 6-501.111
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
What to do
- Any sign of mice, rats or roaches: act now. Protect or throw out affected food, clean the area, and call the pest control operator the same day.
- Flies or ants in food areas: act within 24 hours.
- Insects in food: throw that food out and check the stock around it.
From Food Code 6-501.112
What NOT to do
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Signs of pests and what to do
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Bakery Panaderia La Mejor? Fix it
Dish sink or dish machine not set up right
The department's words
K34 Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips
Facility's drain plugs for the three compartment sink are in disrepair. [CA] Plugs/stoppers shall be available to fill up the warewashing sink. Ensure to maintain in good repair.
Food Code 4-301.12
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Set up
- 1. Wash your hands at the hand sink (never at this sink).
- 2. Clean and sanitize all three sinks and both drainboards.
- 3. Sink 1 (WASH): detergent and water at 110°F or hotter.
From Food Code 4-301.12
Washing, step by step
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
The three-compartment sink, step by step
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Bakery Panaderia La Mejor? Fix it
EarlierFeb 5, 2025Routine inspection88 out of 100 (Green placard)
3 violations listed, 1 marked critical.
Critical (1)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
Beans in rice cooker measured at 93F. Per PIC, beans were in rice cooker and reheat with microwave. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [COS] PIC VC&D beans. Education provided to put beans in steam table for hot holding.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Not critical (2)
Chemicals unlabeled or stored near food
The department's words
K29 Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
A container of oranges was placed next to windex at water heater. [CA] Store chemicals separate and away from the storage and preparation of food or food contact surfaces and linens.
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
Broken metal sieve observed at warewash station with sharp metal exposed. Observed owner used metal can as a bowl for bread making. [CA] Replace metal sieve. Do not reuse metal can to prevent physical contamination. [COS] Owner discarded metal sieve. Owner transfer mixture to a metal stainless steel container.
Source: County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health. This is the department's data, not CleanCleaver's. See the department's full record (opens the department's site)
What you can do
As a customer of Bakery Panaderia La Mejor, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Hand sink not ready to use Read the free guide
- Equipment in poor repair In CleanCleaver: Look over the equipment; report anything broken
- Food thawed the wrong way Read the free guide
- Food labels missing or wrong Read the free guide
- Pests seen inside: flies Read the free guide
- Dish sink or dish machine not set up right Read the free guide
Call Bakery Panaderia La Mejor
Ask for the manager. Bakery Panaderia La Mejor can only fix what it knows about.
Share this page
Use CleanCleaver at home
Families clean together. Chores and food dates for everyone at home.
Complain directly to the health department
We are not the health department. You can report to them on their site. Report to County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health (opens the department's site)
When regulars speak up kindly and kitchens fix things, the whole neighborhood eats well. Now you know what the inspector found, and what you can do about it.
Do you work at or run Bakery Panaderia La Mejor?
See the plan to fix each item and show what you did.
Address thisAbout this record
Opens the county's own page for this place.
Most people don't know what a normal result looks like for a place that's open every day. The ranges use each place's last routine inspection in this area. No other county is mixed in.
100 means the inspector found no problems. Santa Clara County takes points off for each problem. Big ones take off more.
The county posts a green, yellow or red placard after each inspection, and gives routine inspections a score. In the county's data, a routine inspection with no violations listed scored 100, and the score drops as violations are found. The county's page does not say which scores or findings give each color: ask the department.
- Inspection type
- Routine inspection
- Result
- 81 out of 100 (Green placard)
- Source
- County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
This is not an official ranking or grade. See the official source: County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health (opens the department's site) .
Information on this page may be out of date. Check the original source to confirm.