Queens, NY — A March 2026 health inspection at Auntie Anne's Pretzel / Jamba Juice, located at 90-15 Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst, resulted in a score of 46 and a Grade C rating, according to records released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). The inspection was conducted on March 26, 2026, with data made publicly available on March 30, 2026.

The dual-concept food stand, which operates within a shared retail space along one of Queens' busiest commercial corridors, was cited for one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding was a critical violation under Code 02G, which addresses the temperature control of potentially hazardous foods — classified under food safety standards as Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods. Inspectors documented that cold TCS food items were held above the required 41°F threshold. Depending on the specific product involved, applicable temperature requirements can be more stringent: smoked or processed fish must be held at or below 38°F, and intact raw eggs at or below 45°F.

Improper cold-holding temperatures allow bacteria to multiply at rates that can render food unsafe for consumption. This type of violation is designated critical because it represents a direct pathway to foodborne illness if not corrected.

Inspectors also cited 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 finding can contribute to pest harborage and sanitation concerns if left unaddressed.

No order of closure was issued as a result of this inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the food safety standards that all city restaurants and food service establishments must follow. Temperature control requirements for TCS foods are grounded in the FDA Food Code, which identifies the "temperature danger zone" — between 41°F and 135°F — as the range in which bacterial growth accelerates most rapidly.

Critical violations are those that inspectors determine pose a direct public health risk. The DOHMH assigns points to each violation based on severity; critical violations carry a higher point value than non-critical ones, which directly affects a restaurant's overall inspection score.

A score of 46 reflects a meaningful departure from the standards required to maintain a Grade A rating.

Inspection History

The March 2026 inspection was not the first time this location has received a score in the Grade C range this cycle. Prior inspection records show:

  • February 10, 2026: Score 30 (Grade C range)
  • September 22, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)

The September 2024 inspection resulted in a Grade A, indicating that the location has previously demonstrated compliance with city food safety standards. The back-to-back Grade C scores in early 2026 represent a notable shift from that prior performance.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by the DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on scores accumulated during unannounced inspections:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Grades must be posted in a visible location at the entrance of the establishment so that customers can review them before entering.

Restaurants that receive a score above 13 on an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within a month. The grade posted reflects the score from the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Current and historical inspection records for any New York City food service establishment are available through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov/health.

More About This Restaurant

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