Brooklyn, NY — Earthbar, a juice, smoothie, and fruit salad establishment located at 24 River Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, received a Grade B score of 18 following a health inspection conducted on February 28, 2026. The inspection identified one non-critical violation related to pesticide use and storage at the establishment.

What Inspectors Found

During the inspection, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspectors cited Earthbar for a single non-critical violation under code 08C. The violation pertains to pesticide that was not properly labeled or was used by an unlicensed individual, improper use or storage of pesticides or other toxic chemicals, or the use of an unprotected or unlocked bait station.

While the establishment received no critical violations — those directly linked to foodborne illness risk — the non-critical violation was sufficient to place Earthbar's score at 18 points, above the 13-point threshold for a Grade A designation.

The specific nature of this violation is notable for a food establishment that specializes in fresh juice, smoothies, and fruit salads, where raw produce is a primary ingredient. Proper storage and labeling of pesticides and toxic chemicals in proximity to food preparation areas is a key regulatory requirement.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, all pesticides used in food establishments must be properly labeled, applied only by licensed pest control operators, and stored separately from food, food equipment, and food preparation surfaces.

The FDA Food Code further stipulates that toxic materials, including pesticides, must be stored in designated areas away from food, equipment, utensils, and single-service articles. Bait stations used for pest control must be tamper-resistant and properly secured to prevent contamination risks.

Violations in this category can range from minor labeling issues to more significant storage concerns. The inspection record does not specify which specific aspect of the code 08C violation applied to Earthbar.

Inspection History

This appears to be Earthbar's first recorded inspection in the DOHMH database. No prior inspection history is available for this establishment at this location.

  • February 28, 2026: Score 18 (Grade B), violations cited

Without historical data for comparison, it is not possible to assess whether this result represents a pattern or an isolated finding. The establishment will have the opportunity to request a re-inspection to potentially achieve a lower score.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on violation point totals:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants receiving a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. The grade must be posted in a conspicuous location visible to the public.

Inspection data for this report was released by DOHMH on March 2, 2026. Consumers can verify current inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the posted grade card at the establishment. Additional food safety information is available through the NYC Department of Health at nyc.gov/health.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Earthbar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.