Queens, NY — Moon Star, a Chinese restaurant located at 172-16 46th Avenue in Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on March 5, 2026. The establishment received a score of 85 points, placing it in the C grade category, and inspectors documented critical violations that required immediate corrective action.

What Inspectors Found

During the inspection, health officials documented evidence of mice or live mice present in the establishment's food or non-food areas, a violation classified under NYC Health Code 04L. This critical violation indicates a failure to maintain proper pest control measures and represents a significant food safety concern.

The presence of rodents in food service establishments poses direct risks to public health. Mice can contaminate food products, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas through droppings, urine, and hair. They may also carry pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses and can damage packaging and infrastructure within the facility.

The DOHMH took immediate action to close the restaurant, requiring that violations be addressed before operations could resume. The closure notice indicates that immediate corrective measures were necessary to protect public health.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes comprehensive standards for food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. These regulations require restaurants to maintain effective pest control programs and prevent conditions that attract or harbor rodents and other pests.

Under Article 81.19, food service establishments must take measures to eliminate harborage conditions and prevent pest infestations. This includes maintaining proper sanitation practices, sealing entry points, proper waste management, and implementing professional pest control services when necessary.

The FDA Food Code, which provides the foundation for many local health regulations, emphasizes that the presence of rodents represents a significant health hazard. Food establishments must demonstrate effective measures to exclude pests from the premises and eliminate conditions that could support pest activity.

A score of 85 points represents a substantial accumulation of health code violations. Each violation carries a point value based on its severity and potential impact on food safety, with critical violations typically assigned higher point values than general violations.

Inspection History

According to DOHMH records, this was the first recorded inspection for Moon Star in the available database:

  • March 5, 2026: Score 85 (C grade), Closed by DOHMH

The absence of prior inspection history in the database may indicate that this is a relatively new establishment or that previous inspection records have not been included in the publicly available data. The data for this inspection was released by DOHMH on March 9, 2026, four days after the inspection was conducted.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on the number of violation points accumulated during inspections:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points (good food safety practices)
  • Grade B: 14-27 points (some violations requiring correction)
  • Grade C: 28 or more points (significant violations requiring immediate attention)

Restaurants scoring 28 points or higher may be subject to closure if critical violations pose immediate health risks. Establishments that are closed must address all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before they can reopen to the public.

Critical violations are those that are more likely to contribute to foodborne illness or environmental health hazards. These violations must be corrected immediately, and failure to do so can result in closure or other enforcement actions.

What Happens Next

Moon Star must address all violations cited during the inspection before it can reopen. This process typically involves:

  • Elimination of pest infestation and implementation of comprehensive pest control measures
  • Correction of any conditions that may have contributed to the violations
  • Scheduling and passing a re-inspection by DOHMH
  • Payment of applicable fines or fees

The restaurant will remain closed until inspectors verify that all violations have been properly corrected and the establishment meets all applicable food safety standards.

Public Health Resources

New York City residents can access current restaurant inspection information through the DOHMH website or by searching the NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database. The grading system is designed to provide transparency and help consumers make informed decisions about where to dine.

Consumers who observe food safety concerns at any restaurant can report them to 311 or through the NYC 311 mobile application. The DOHMH investigates complaints and conducts inspections to ensure compliance with health code requirements.

For more information about food safety regulations and restaurant inspections in New York City, visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website or contact 311.

More About This Restaurant

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