Queens, NY — Auntie Anne's Pretzel / Jamba Juice, located at 90-15 Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst, received a Grade C score of 30 following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 10, 2026. The inspection identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation. The data was released by DOHMH on February 12, 2026.

The score represents a significant decline from the restaurant's previous inspection, when it earned a Grade A with a score of 12.

What Inspectors Found

The most serious finding was a critical violation cited under Code 04A: no manager or supervisor of food operations held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC). New York City requires that every food service establishment have at least one certified food protection supervisor on duty or available during all hours of operation. The absence of a certified manager means there is no designated individual responsible for overseeing proper food handling, temperature control, and contamination prevention protocols at the location.

Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation under Code 10F, noting that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, were not kept clean, or were not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit. While classified as non-critical, this type of condition can contribute to pest harborage and sanitation issues if left unaddressed.

The combination of these two violations resulted in a total score of 30 points, placing the establishment in Grade C territory.

Food Safety Context

The Food Protection Certificate requirement is one of the foundational elements of New York City's food safety regulatory framework. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, specifically Section 81.15, food service establishments must have a supervisory employee who holds a valid certificate issued by the Department. This individual is responsible for ensuring that food is stored, prepared, and served in accordance with established safety protocols.

The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes the importance of having a certified person in charge at food establishments, identifying it as a key factor in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks. The person in charge is expected to demonstrate knowledge of proper cooking temperatures, cross-contamination prevention, employee hygiene practices, and allergen awareness.

The equipment maintenance violation, while carrying fewer penalty points, relates to standards designed to ensure that all surfaces in a food preparation environment can be effectively cleaned and sanitized. Equipment that cannot be properly accessed for cleaning may accumulate food debris, grease, or moisture, creating conditions that compromise overall sanitation.

Inspection History

The location's prior inspection record shows a notable change in compliance:

  • 2024-09-22: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • 2026-02-10: Score 30 (Grade C)

The previous Grade A score of 12 indicated the establishment was in strong compliance with health regulations during its September 2024 inspection. The increase of 18 points to a score of 30 represents a move from the best grade category to the lowest. Establishments that receive a Grade C are entitled to a re-inspection, and the grade card posted at the restaurant reflects the most recent adjudicated result.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points documented during an inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less serious violations:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, typically within 30 days. The establishment may post the results of either the initial or re-inspection grade, and operators may also contest results through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is updated regularly and available to the public online. The database provides detailed violation descriptions, scores, and grade histories for all inspected food service establishments across the five boroughs.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Auntie Anne's Pretzel / Jamba Juice including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.