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Santa Clara County, CA

Swaad Indian Cuisine Pepper Tales

498 N 13th St

Last inspected May 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Routine Inspection

May 6, 2026

Pass

10 recorded violations

minorCode K29Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Inspector’s notes

Home type pest control spray found stored on shelf above 3 compartment warewash sink. [CA] Only those insecticides, rodenticides, and other pesticides that are necessary and specifically approved for use in a food facility may be used. [CA] Store chemicals separate and away from the storage and preparation of food or food contact surfaces and linens.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
minorCode K38Facility maintenance

Official wording

Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use

Inspector’s notes

Ventilation hood turned off at time of inspection. [CA] Provide approved exhaust hood ventilation over all cooking equipment as required to effectively remove cooking odors, smoke, steam, grease, heat, and vapors. [COS] Buildup on hood/filters at cook line. [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 K21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Hot and cold water available

Inspector’s notes

Water temperature measured a maximum of 85F at start of inspection. [CA] Hot water shall be supplied at a minimum temperature of at least 120°F measured from the faucet throughout facility except at handwash sinks. [SA] Water heater adjusted. Temperature of water measured 100F at conclusion of inspection.

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 K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

FSC is not available for review at time of inspection.[CA] Food facilities that prepare, handle, or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazard foods shall have a valid Food Safety Certificate available for review at all times. Food handler cards are not available for review at time of 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

REPEAT VIOLATION: LACK OF SINGLE USE PAPER TOWELS MOUNTED IN AN APPROVED DISPENSER AT HAND WASH SINK (COOKLINE). [CA] Single-use sanitary towels shall be provided in dispensers; heated-air hand drying device may be substituted for single-use towels.

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.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode K44Pests

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Unused equipment stored at the rear of the facility (griddle, tire) [CA] Storage room shall be free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the facility, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer used.

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 K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

Wet/used wiping cloths found stored on preparation tables. [CA] Wiping towels shall be stored in sanitizing solution of an approved concentration when not in use (100 ppm - chlorine, 200 ppm - quaternary ammonium).

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 K47Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Signs posted; last inspection report available

Inspector’s notes

Environmental Health permit is not posted. [CA] The health permit issued by this department shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the food facility.

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 K27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Canned food found stored in unapproved storage container at rear of facility. [CA] Food or food related equipment shall be stored in an approved fully enclosed food facility.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

3 compartment sink lacks goose neck faucet. Sprayer does not allow filling of 3 compartment sink for warewashing. [CA] All plumbing and plumbing fixtures shall be installed in compliance with applicable local plumbing ordinances, shall be maintained so as to prevent any contamination, and shall be kept clean, fully operative, and in good repair. REPEAT VIOLATION: LACK OF AIR GAP AT FOOD PREPARATION SINK AND 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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, May 6, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

May 29, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

minorCode K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Observed heavy accumulation of food debris on floors and walls throughout the kitchen. [CA] Keep floors and walls clean.

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 K05Handwashing

Official wording

Hands clean, properly washed; gloves used properly

Inspector’s notes

Observed employee rinse his hands with water at the prep sink, then wipe his hands on his clothes. [CA] Wash hands at the handsink with soap and water. Use disposal paper towels to dry 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.

More about handwashing problems
criticalCode K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

The kitchen's front handwash sink lacked a soap and paper towels. [CA] Handwash sinks must be stocked with soap and paper towels at all times. [SA] A pump soap dispenser and a stack of napkins were placed next to the handwash sink.

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.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode K33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Observed heavy accumulation of food debris/grease on surfaces (shelving, fan covers). [CA] Keep surfaces clean.

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 K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Inside the front glass door refrigerator: measured internal temperature of mango lassi to be 48F. Note: other PHFs in the same refrigerator measured 41F, and a probe thermometer left inside the refrigerator measured 41F after 10 minutes. [CA] Keep potentially hazardous foods at 41F and below or 135F and above.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, May 29, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Dec 16, 2024

Pass

6 recorded violations

minorCode K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Observed unapproved flooring material and lack of cove-base in the warewashing and dry storage areas. [CA] Install approved flooring with cove-base. Recommend consulting Plan Check. Comply by 6/16/25.

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 K27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Observed two bags of onions were stored on the ground outdoors. [CA] Store food indoors to protect from contamination.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Measured internal temperature of rice inside rice warmer to be 130 - 132F. Employee stated rice was cooked at 9am today (approximately 3.5 hours prior). [CA] Keep potentially hazardous foods at 135F and above or 41F and below. Employee immediately began reheating rice.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

In the main kitchen area: observed lack of wall-mounted paper towel dispenser at the handwash sink. A stack of paper towels was stored on a shelf next to the handwash sink. [CA] Store paper towels inside a wall-mounted paper towel dispenser.

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.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

Observed plastic disposable bowl used as a scoop for rice inside the rice warmer. [CA] Used approved utensils with handles for handling foods 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 K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Observed the drain pipe under the prep sink extended into the floor sink. [CA] Maintain a minimum one-inch air gap between the drain pipe and the floor sink to prevent backflow.

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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Dec 16, 2024 · Original Source

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