W-TAO SUSHI

400 Walnut ST STE 101, Des Moines, IA, 50309

6 cited findings

Most recent inspection

Date: August 18, 2026
Type: Routine
Result: Not reported
Risk category: Not reported
Cited findings: 6
Jurisdiction: Polk County (Des Moines)
Source risk checklist count: 2
Good Retail Practices findings: 3

Published report comment

Items to review for the follow-up inspection: Item #10: Repeat violation - For long term corrective action the person in charge stated all staff would be re-trained on where to fill water and to only use dedicated handwashing sinks for handwashing. Furthermore, management stated they would monitor food employees at an increased frequency to ensure handwashing sinks are only being used for handwashing. Item #23: Repeat violation - Risk control plan issued, for long term corrective action firm agreed to re-train staff on date-marking procedures. Furthermore, management agreed audit coolers at an increased frequency, complete logs daily (when operational) and submit photo documentation to the inspector on a weekly basis. This includes both photos of the log and coolers showing examples of food items being labeled. Inspector to return to the facility for verification purposes to ensure firm has effectively implemented a lasting date-marking procedure policy. Item #49: Person in charge stated they would clean and sanitize the non-food contact surfaces of the identified equipment. Firm stated they would re-train staff on cleaning frequency and management would verify effective cleaning at an increased frequency. Item #55: Person in charge stated they would clean and sanitize the identified floors and walls. Firm stated they would re-train staff on cleaning frequency and management would verify effective cleaning at an increased frequency. Item #56: Person in charge stated they would clean and sanitize the ventilation hood/filters. Firm stated they would re-train staff on cleaning frequency and management would verify effective cleaning at an increased frequency. Follow-up will be completed on or after 8/28/2026 by Follow Up-Risk Control Plan.

Violations (6)

5-205.11CriticalRepeat
Iowa food code item 10 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Food employee observed filling a container with water from a dedicated handwashing sink. Person in charge stopped the employee, re-trained them and then instructed the individual to use a seperate sink/faucet for water.
Risk Factors | PF | Item 10
3-501.17CriticalRepeat
Iowa food code item 23 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Food items in both the walk-in cooler and reach-in coolers not being identified with the date of production and/or the date to discard the product(s). Items included, but not limited to the following: meats, cut produce, scratch made sauces and cooked rice. Photo attached.
Risk Factors | PF | Item 23
3-501.18CriticalRepeatCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 23 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Several prepared food items observed to be held past 7 days. This included scratch made sauce (5-20), prepped shrimp (7-7), cooked eggs (7-30) and prepped salmon (7-29). Corrected by: Person in charge voluntarily discarded the identified food items.
Risk Factors | P | Item 23
4-601.11(B)(C ), 4-602.13
Iowa food code item 49 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Firm has a build-up of debris on equipment such as cooler doors, below prep tables and on the sides of the fryer. Photo attached.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 49
6-501.12, 6-501.13
Iowa food code item 55 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Firm has a build-up of debris on the floors and walls on the cook line (underneath and behind the cooking equipment). Additional build-up of debris was observed on the floors and walls by the steps to the basement. Photo attached.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 55
6-202.12, 6-501.14
Iowa food code item 56 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Hood filters have a build-up of debris. As a result, they could become a source of contamination as they are directly over an area where food is prepared/cooked. Photo attached.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 56

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.