CAFE 52
GRADE CMonday, February 13, 2023
CAFE 52 in Sunnyside received a Grade C on their NYC health inspection on February 13, 2023 with a score of 33 points. The inspection found 7 violations, including 7 critical.
Violations Cited
04C
Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
Food worker/food vendor does not use utensil or other barrier to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment.
DIRECT CONTAMINATION: Hands carry 150+ bacterial species and 3,000-5,000 bacteria per square centimeter. Even 'clean' hands transfer millions of bacteria. Ready-to-eat foods receive no kill step. Bare hand contact is #1 factor in Norovirus outbreaks affecting 20 million Americans annually.
NO bare hand contact EVER with ready-to-eat foods. Use: Single-use gloves (change every hour and between tasks), Tongs/spatulas/spoons, Deli tissue/wax paper. Wash hands before donning gloves. Post signs. This is NON-NEGOTIABLE in NYC.
10G
Dishwashing facilities inadequate
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
Inadequate dishwashing spreads bacteria across all utensils and tableware
Three-compartment sink or approved dishwasher; proper wash, rinse, sanitize procedures
08A
Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
PEST ATTRACTION: Harborage conditions support pest infestations. Gaps allow entry of rodents carrying 35+ diseases. Standing water breeds flies that spread 100+ pathogens. Clutter provides nesting for pests. Creates ongoing contamination risk.
Eliminate ALL harborage conditions: Seal cracks/holes (1/4 inch for mice, 1/2 inch for rats), Fix leaking pipes, Remove clutter/unused equipment, Eliminate standing water, Clean grease accumulation, Maintain 6 inches clearance from walls, Remove cardboard storage.
10F
Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty non-food surfaces harbor pests and bacteria. Employees touch these surfaces then food. Accumulation attracts roaches and rodents. Creates reservoir of contamination that spreads throughout facility.
Clean all non-food surfaces regularly: Walls, ceilings, floors daily in food areas, Equipment exteriors, Storage shelves, Light fixtures monthly. Seal cracks. Repair damaged surfaces. Maintain cleaning schedule. Assign responsibilities.
06C
Food not protected from contamination
Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants
Cover all food; store 6 inches off floor; protect from customer contamination; use sneeze guards
10B
Plumbing Not Properly Installed or Maintained
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
WATER CONTAMINATION: Backflow can siphon sewage into water supply, contaminating entire facility. Cross-connections spread pathogens throughout plumbing. Sewage backups create immediate health hazard. Can affect hundreds through contaminated water.
Install backflow preventers on ALL required fixtures. Maintain air gaps (2x pipe diameter minimum). Fix all leaks immediately. Ensure proper drainage - no standing water. Regular plumbing inspection. No direct connections between sewage and water supply.
04L
Evidence of Mice Present in Facility
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
WIDESPREAD CONTAMINATION: Mice produce 50-75 droppings daily, each containing Salmonella, Hantavirus. One mouse contaminates 10x more food than it eats through droppings and urine. Mouse allergens trigger asthma. Can infest entire facility in weeks.
Eliminate immediately: Clean all droppings with bleach solution, Seal ALL holes over 1/4 inch, Remove nesting materials, Professional treatment if >10 droppings found, Discard contaminated foods, Install traps/bait stations, Deep clean entire facility.
Violations were cited in the following area(s).
CAFE 52 — Inspection Questions
- Did CAFE 52 pass their NYC health inspection on February 13, 2023?
- CAFE 52 failed with a C grade on February 13, 2023 with a score of 33 points. The inspection found 7 violation(s).
- What critical violations did CAFE 52 have?
- CAFE 52 had 7 critical violation(s) during their inspection. Critical violations directly contribute to foodborne illness and must be corrected immediately. These include issues with temperature control, hand washing, cross-contamination, and pest infestations.
- What does violation code 04C mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 04C (Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food) is a critical violation. Food workers must not touch ready-to-eat foods with bare hands. Must use utensils, gloves, or other barriers. DIRECT CONTAMINATION: Hands carry 150+ bacterial species and 3,000-5,000 bacteria per square centimeter. Even 'clean' hands transfer millions of bacteria. Ready-to-eat foods receive no kill step. Bare hand contact is #1 factor in Norovirus outbreaks affecting 20 million Americans annually.
- What does violation code 10G mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 10G (Dishwashing facilities inadequate) is a major violation. Proper warewashing facilities and procedures required to sanitize equipment Inadequate dishwashing spreads bacteria across all utensils and tableware
- What does violation code 08A mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 08A (Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions) is a major violation. Conditions exist that attract or allow pests to harbor in establishment. PEST ATTRACTION: Harborage conditions support pest infestations. Gaps allow entry of rodents carrying 35+ diseases. Standing water breeds flies that spread 100+ pathogens. Clutter provides nesting for pests. Creates ongoing contamination risk.
- What does violation code 10F mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 10F (Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean) is a minor violation. Non-food contact surfaces or equipment not kept clean, not properly sealed, or not properly maintained. INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty non-food surfaces harbor pests and bacteria. Employees touch these surfaces then food. Accumulation attracts roaches and rodents. Creates reservoir of contamination that spreads throughout facility.
- What does violation code 06C mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 06C (Food not protected from contamination) is a critical violation. All food must be protected from contamination during storage, prep, display and service Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants
- What does violation code 10B mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 10B (Plumbing Not Properly Installed or Maintained) is a major violation. Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided. Sewage disposal system in disrepair. WATER CONTAMINATION: Backflow can siphon sewage into water supply, contaminating entire facility. Cross-connections spread pathogens throughout plumbing. Sewage backups create immediate health hazard. Can affect hundreds through contaminated water.
- What does violation code 04L mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 04L (Evidence of Mice Present in Facility) is a critical violation. Mouse droppings, gnaw marks, nesting materials, or live mice observed. WIDESPREAD CONTAMINATION: Mice produce 50-75 droppings daily, each containing Salmonella, Hantavirus. One mouse contaminates 10x more food than it eats through droppings and urine. Mouse allergens trigger asthma. Can infest entire facility in weeks.