Queens, NY — Tasti D-Lite, located at 107-21 71 Avenue in Forest Hills, received a Grade B score of 25 during a health inspection conducted on December 7, 2007. The score places the frozen dessert shop near the upper boundary of the Grade B range, just three points below the Grade C threshold of 28.

The inspection was carried out by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). While no critical violations were identified, inspectors documented one non-critical violation related to the establishment's lighting conditions.

What Inspectors Found

During the inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Tasti D-Lite for a single non-critical violation under code 10C: inadequate lighting with an unshielded fixture.

Proper lighting is a foundational requirement in food service establishments. Adequate illumination allows staff to identify contamination, monitor food preparation surfaces, and maintain sanitary conditions. Unshielded light fixtures also present a physical contamination risk, as broken bulbs or glass could potentially come into contact with food or food preparation areas.

While the violation is classified as non-critical, the resulting score of 25 is notable for its proximity to the Grade C cutoff. A score of just three points higher would move the establishment out of the B range entirely.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the standards that all food service establishments must meet, including requirements for adequate lighting in food preparation, storage, and customer areas. The FDA Food Code similarly specifies minimum lighting intensity levels — typically 50 foot-candles in areas where food is examined, processed, or prepared, and 20 foot-candles in other operational areas.

Light shielding requirements exist to prevent physical hazards. Fixtures in food handling areas must be equipped with protective covers or shatter-resistant materials to minimize the risk of glass fragments contaminating food products in the event of breakage.

Inspection History

Tasti D-Lite's recent inspection record shows a pattern of Grade B scores:

  • Nov 1, 2007: Score 22 (Grade B)
  • Dec 7, 2007: Score 25 (Grade B)

The increase from 22 to 25 between the two inspections represents a three-point rise over approximately five weeks. Both scores fall within the Grade B range but trend upward toward the Grade C threshold. Consecutive B-range scores may indicate ongoing compliance challenges at the location.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points identified during inspections:

  • A: 0–13 points — Minimal violations identified
  • B: 14–27 points — Moderate violations identified
  • C: 28 or more points — Significant violations identified

Lower scores indicate fewer and less serious violations. Tasti D-Lite's score of 25 falls in the upper portion of the B range, closer to a C grade than to an A grade.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the letter grade posted at the establishment. Inspection data for this report was released by DOHMH on March 13, 2026, reflecting an inspection originally conducted in December 2007.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Tasti D-Lite including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.