Bronx, NY — Aicha Organic Juice Bar, located at 2960 3rd Avenue in the Bronx, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on April 2, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 43, placing the establishment in C-grade territory under the city's restaurant grading system. The closure marks the second time in less than two months that the juice bar has been ordered to stop operations.

What Inspectors Found

During the April 2 inspection, inspectors documented one critical violation under NYC Health Code Article 81. The cited violation, classified under Code 05D, pertained to hand washing facilities — one of the most closely scrutinized categories in food service inspections.

Specifically, inspectors identified that no compliant hand washing facility was present in or adjacent to the toilet room, or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service, or ware washing area. The violation also noted that the hand washing facility was either not accessible, obstructed, or being used for purposes other than hand washing. Additional deficiencies included the absence of adequate hot and cold running water or water at sufficient pressure, as well as the lack of soap or an acceptable hand-drying device.

No non-critical violations were documented during this visit.

Violations requiring immediate corrective action were addressed on-site before the inspection was concluded, as noted in the DOHMH action record. However, the cumulative score and the nature of the critical violation resulted in the establishment being closed.

Food Safety Context

Hand washing access is a foundational element of food safety practice and is addressed directly in both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. Inspectors treat hand washing facility violations as critical because inadequate hand hygiene is a documented pathway for the transmission of foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella, E. coli, and norovirus.

Under NYC Health Code Article 81.09, food service establishments are required to maintain readily accessible hand washing sinks stocked with soap and an approved drying method at all times during operation. These requirements exist to ensure that food handlers can perform frequent and effective hand washing throughout their shifts, particularly after handling raw ingredients, touching surfaces, or using the restroom.

The FDA Food Code, which New York City's health code draws from, identifies lack of hand washing access as a risk factor directly associated with foodborne illness outbreaks. When this type of violation is found in a food preparation or service area, it is classified as critical regardless of whether any illness has been reported.

DOHMH inspectors are authorized under Article 81 to close an establishment when conditions pose an imminent public health hazard. A closure order requires the business to correct all cited conditions before a reinspection can be scheduled and the establishment can reopen.

Inspection History

Aicha Organic Juice Bar has a limited but notable inspection record with the DOHMH. The April 2 closure is consistent with findings from an earlier visit:

  • February 25, 2026: Score 39 (Grade N), establishment closed by DOHMH

The February inspection resulted in a Grade N designation. In New York City, a Grade N is issued when a restaurant receives a score that would result in a letter grade of B or C during an initial inspection, and the establishment requests a re-inspection before a grade is officially assigned. The score of 39 recorded in February exceeded the threshold for a C grade.

The April 2 inspection, conducted approximately five weeks later, recorded a score of 43 — higher than the February visit. Both inspections resulted in closure orders.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system for restaurants was introduced in 2010 to make inspection results easier for the public to interpret. Scores are based on the number and severity of violations found during an unannounced inspection. The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 points or more

A score of 43 places Aicha Organic Juice Bar well into C-grade range. Under the city's inspection cycle, establishments that score in the B or C range during an initial inspection are typically reinspected within 30 to 45 days. The grade posted in the window of a restaurant reflects the most recent completed inspection cycle.

When a restaurant is closed by DOHMH, no grade is posted until the establishment passes a reinspection and is permitted to reopen. Closure orders remain in effect until inspectors verify that all conditions have been corrected.

Inspection data for Aicha Organic Juice Bar was released by DOHMH on April 7, 2026, five days after the inspection was conducted.

Members of the public can view full inspection records, including violation details and scores, through the NYC Open Data portal or the DOHMH restaurant inspection lookup tool at nyc.gov. Complaints about restaurant conditions can also be submitted directly to DOHMH through the city's 311 service.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Aicha Organic Juice Bar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.