Brooklyn, NY — The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene closed Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe / Sheel & Mashi, located at 516 Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn, following a May 21, 2026 inspection that resulted in a score of 33 and the identification of a critical food safety violation. The restaurant reopened the following day, May 22, 2026, after the violations requiring immediate action were addressed.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on May 25, 2026, four days after the closure.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one critical violation during the May 21 visit, classifying it under Code 03A: food from a prohibited, unapproved, or unknown source. This category also covers scenarios involving home-canned or home-prepared food, animals slaughtered or dressed on the premises, and Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen prior to processing, as well as ROP food prepared on-site and transported to another location.

DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed before the establishment was permitted to reopen. No non-critical violations were documented during this inspection.

A score of 33 places the establishment in the C range under New York City's restaurant grading system. The closure was ordered under the authority of DOHMH, which is empowered to close establishments when inspectors determine that conditions pose an immediate risk to public health.

Food Safety Context

The violation cited — food from an unapproved or unknown source — is addressed under NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligns with requirements set forth in the FDA Food Code. These regulations require that all food served to the public originate from sources that are approved, regulated, and inspected by the appropriate government authorities.

The purpose of source restrictions is to ensure that food has been produced, processed, and handled under conditions that minimize contamination and foodborne illness risk. Food from unknown or unapproved sources cannot be verified for safety, proper temperature handling, or freedom from adulterants. This is why such violations are categorized as critical — meaning they have a direct or indirect link to the potential for foodborne illness.

Reduced Oxygen Packaging presents additional risks if fish has not been properly frozen beforehand, as improperly handled ROP fish can support the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria responsible for botulism, even under refrigeration.

Establishments that are closed by DOHMH must demonstrate that the conditions that led to the closure have been corrected before inspectors will authorize reopening.

Inspection History

Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe / Sheel & Mashi has recorded elevated scores across multiple recent inspections:

  • May 22, 2026: Score 0 — Reopened following closure
  • May 21, 2026: Score 33 — Closed by DOHMH
  • April 9, 2026: Score 37
  • January 30, 2026: Score 34 (Grade Z)
  • October 14, 2025: Score 33 (Grade N)

The pattern across these inspections shows the establishment has consistently scored in the 33–37 range over a span of roughly seven months. A Grade Z is issued when an establishment is still in the adjudication process and a final grade has not yet been assigned. A Grade N indicates a score recorded during the restaurant's first inspection in a new inspection cycle, before a re-inspection has occurred.

The April 2026 score of 37 is the highest recorded in this period and would place the establishment solidly in C-grade territory if a final grade were issued at that score.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system for restaurants is based on the numerical score assigned during an unannounced DOHMH inspection. Each point represents a deduction for a documented violation. The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points — meets or exceeds food safety standards
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points — some violations identified, re-inspection required
  • C: Score of 28 or more points — significant violations documented

When an establishment scores in the B or C range on an initial inspection, DOHMH typically schedules a follow-up re-inspection. The grade posted in the window may reflect either the initial or re-inspection score, depending on where the establishment is in the inspection cycle.

Closures can occur at any point during an inspection when inspectors identify conditions that require immediate corrective action to protect public health. Reopening requires that those conditions be resolved to the satisfaction of DOHMH inspectors.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any permitted food service establishment in New York City through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database, available at nyc.gov. Records include scores, violation codes, and grade history for all inspections on file.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe / Sheel & Mashi including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.