Santa Clara County, CA

Milk Tea Lab

Name: Milk Tea Lab
Address: 1601 Branham Ln # 3, Santa Clara County, CA

1601 Branham Ln # 3

Last inspected Feb 10, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Routine Inspection

Feb 10, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

minorCode K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Lacking food handlers card. [CA] Each food handler shall maintain a valid food handler card for the duration of his or her employment as food handler. A valid food handler card shall be provided within 30 days of after the date of hire.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

minorCode K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

1. Found hot water knob at hand wash station located in back prep area unable to keep water running unless holding onto water knob. [CA] Ensure cold/hot water knob is able to turn on and off easily. 2. Found leaking faucet at warewash sink (right side) when water is on. [CA] Secure leak. 3. Found cold water valve off at 1-compartment sink. [CA] Ensure cold/hot water valve is on at all times. [COS] Operator turned on cold water valve.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

minorCode K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity

Inspector’s notes

Found a house hold 1 door upright freezer/reach in refrigeration unit stored near hand wash station in back prep area. [CA] Discontinue using household refrigeration unit. 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).

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Found several missing floor tiles in back prep area in front of warewash sink. [CA] Replace broken floor tiles with a smooth and of durable construction and nonabsorbent material that is easily cleanable.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Feb 10, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Jul 10, 2025

Pass

9 recorded violations

minorCode K33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Accumulated dirt and debris behind and around equipment. [CA] Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

Scoop handle in bulk bin was touching food. [CA] Store scoop handle in such a way that the handle does not come in direct contact with food to prevent contamination.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Brown residue on white panel in ice machine. [CA] Clean white panel in ice machine to prevent contamination.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Employee on prep-line had no food handler card during inspection. [CA] Each food handler shall maintain a valid food handler card for the duration of his or her employment as food handler. A valid food handler card shall be provided within 30 days of after the date of hire.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

minorCode K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

Soap dispenser was empty at handwash sink near 3-comp sink, but there was soap available at other handwash sink near prep-line. [CA] Refill soap to properly wash hands.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing

Inspector’s notes

Mops and brooms stored in mop sink. [CA] Mop rack or other devices not made available to hang and store cleaning tools.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

minorCode K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

3-comp drain line straight into floor sink. [CA] All equipment that discharges liquid waste shall be drained by means of indirect waste pipes, and all wastes drained by them shall discharge through an airgap into a floor sink or other approved type of receptor.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

minorCode K38Facility maintenance

Official wording

Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use

Inspector’s notes

Accumulated dirt and debris on hood filters. [CA] Ventilation hood filters shall be maintained clean and good repair.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

minorCode K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Missing cold base tiles at prep-line. [CA] Replace broken floor tiles with a smooth and of durable construction and nonabsorbent material that is easily cleanable.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Jul 10, 2025 · Original Source

Follow-Up Inspection

Oct 10, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Oct 10, 2024 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Oct 3, 2024

Pass

7 recorded violations

minorCode K21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Hot and cold water available

Inspector’s notes

Measured water temperature holding at 80F in restroom. [CA] Provide an adequate, pressurized, potable supply of warm water to be held between 100F - 108F for hand wash sink in restroom. [SA] Operator directed to wash hands upon entering kitchen.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

minorCode K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

Found 1-compartment sink water valve disconnected. Observed newly installed 2 door upright freezer where 1-compartment sink used to be. [CA] Facility shall relocate 2 door upright freezer immediate and reconnect 1-compartment sink to water line. **Facility is hereby given a 24 hour notice to reconnect 1-compartment sink water line and relocate 2 door upright freezer.**

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

criticalCode K08Other

Official wording

Time as a public health control; procedures & records

Inspector’s notes

Found boba without time mark at prep station. Per operator, boba is discarded after every 4 hours. [CA] When time only, rather than time and temperature is used as a public health control, PHFs shall be time marked to indicate when item is removed from temperature control, discarded if not consumed or served within 4 hours, and written procedures shall be readily available for review. [COS] Operator directed to time mark PHFs.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode K23Pests

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

Found several flies in the back prep area. Observed flies in floor sinks as well. [CA] Each food facility shall be free of pest such as flies. Continue to provide approved pest control services.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

minorCode K38Facility maintenance

Official wording

Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use

Inspector’s notes

Found accumulated grease and dust debris on filters at mechanical exhaust hood. [CA] Routinely clean.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

minorCode K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity

Inspector’s notes

Observed a new 2 door upright freezer installed next to 1-compartment sink. [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).

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode K44Pests

Official wording

Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing

Inspector’s notes

1. Found accumulated food grease and debris on floor under fryer station. 2. Observed accumulated dust debris on fans in cooks area. [CA] Routinely clean.