MULBERRY CAFE @ CENTRAL IOWA SHELTER & SERVICES

1420 Mulberry ST, Des Moines, IA, 50309

4 cited findings

Most recent inspection

Date: June 23, 2026
Type: Routine
Result: Not reported
Risk category: Not reported
Cited findings: 4
Jurisdiction: Polk County (Des Moines)
Source risk checklist count: 4
Good Retail Practices findings: 0

Published report comment

Routine inspection conducted in conjunction with a complaint inspection. Complainant stated potential concerns regarding food from unsafe sources/adulterated foods and illness. Person in charge stated they were not aware of the identified complaint, nor had the facility received any additional or similar complaints since. The food from unsafe sources/adulterated foods portion of the complaint is closed and verified. Items to review for the follow-up letter of correction: Item #3: Person in charge stated they would submit a verifiable employee illness reporting policy procedure once it was established/in place. Discussions with the person in charge: Item #13: Discussed with the firm and then the the establishment implemented a system to better audit baked goods (at an increased frequency), discard baked goods kept beyond the best by date and utilize the FIFO (first in, first out) system. Person in charge stated they would continue to train food employees on the importance of checking labels/dates and discarding food items that were no longer deemed safe. Follow-up will be completed on or after 7/3/2026 by Follow Up-Letter of Correction.

Violations (4)

2-103.11(O)Critical
Iowa food code item 3 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Establishment could not provide a verifiable manner in which employees are being trained on illness reporting.
Risk Factors | PF | Item 3
2-501.11CriticalCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 5 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Facility can not provide written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. Corrected by: Firm had the means to clean-up, however, the written procedure was not available. Person in charge created and posted a written procedure with the gathered materials for responding to bodily fluid clean-up incidents.
Risk Factors | PF | Item 5
3-101.11CriticalCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 13 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Several baked goods kept past their best by date, no longer appeared to be safe. Corrected by: Person in charge voluntarily discarded the identified food items.
Risk Factors | P | Item 13
3-501.17CriticalCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 23 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Establishment did not have a verifiable date-marking procedure in place for scratch made items in the walk-in cooler. Corrected by: Person in charge labeled all prepared food items in the walk-in cooler with the production date(s).
Risk Factors | PF | Item 23

Source: Polk County (Des Moines) health department. Data refreshed October 16, 2026. Results are shown in the health department's own wording. This record is provided for general information; confirm current status with the health department before relying on it.