DIY TEA LAB
6973 COAL CREEK PKWY SE, NEWCASTLE, WA 98059 · Restaurant (Seating 13-50)
Inspection summary
DIY TEA LAB has been inspected 13 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since April 13, 2020. The most recent inspection, on March 25, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.
6 of 13 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.
Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on March 25, 2026. For example:
3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk
This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 2025. For example:
3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk
Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.
Recorded once on January 22, 2024. For example:
0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.
Recorded once on October 31, 2022. For example:
1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.
Recorded 2 times on January 22, 2024. For example:
4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
About this data
These results come from Public Health – Seattle & King County, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
13 inspections
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- BLUE
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
- BLUE
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
4 infractions
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
- BLUE
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
- BLUE
- 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
- RED
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
- RED
- 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Return Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
4 infractions
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 2600 - Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures
- RED
- 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
- RED
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
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