STAR CAFE AU LAIT

GRADE C

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Overview

STAR CAFE AU LAIT in Astoria (Central) received a Grade C on their NYC health inspection on July 2, 2025 with a score of 40 points. The inspection found 9 violations, including 9 critical.

Address
35-02 ASTORIA BOULEVARD
Queens, NY 11103
Cuisine
Coffee/Tea
Inspection Type
Pre-permit (Operational) / Re-inspection
Violations
9 total
⚠ 9 critical
Facility History
2 inspections
1 failures

Violations Cited

⚠ CRITICAL 10H

Sanitization not provided for utensil washing

Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.

⚠️ Why This Matters

Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths

📋 Code Requirements

Use approved sanitizer at correct concentration; test strips required; proper contact time

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Protection from Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.21
⚠ CRITICAL 03A

Food from unapproved or unknown source

Food, prohibited, from unapproved or unknown source, home canned or home prepared. Animal slaughtered, butchered or dressed (eviscerated, skinned) in establishment. Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing. ROP food prepared on premises transported to another site.

⚠️ Why This Matters

Unapproved sources may contain parasites, chemicals, or pathogens not eliminated by cooking

📋 Code Requirements

Purchase from licensed, inspected suppliers; maintain invoices; no home-prepared foods

CDC Risk Factor: Food from Unsafe Sources
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.11
⚠ CRITICAL 08C

Pesticide not properly used or stored

Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.

⚠️ Why This Matters

Improper pesticide use causes chemical contamination and acute poisoning

📋 Code Requirements

Licensed applicator only; follow label directions; store away from food; use approved chemicals

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Protection from Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.31
⚠ CRITICAL 10D

NYC Health Code Violation 10D

Mechanical or natural ventilation not provided, inadequate, improperly installed, in disrepair or fails to prevent and control excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke or fumes.

⚠️ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 10D to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

📋 Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

⚠ CRITICAL 04A

Food Protection Certificate Not Held by Supervisor

Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

⚠️ Why This Matters

KNOWLEDGE GAP: Establishments without certified managers have 2.5x more critical violations. Lack of food safety knowledge directly correlates with foodborne illness outbreaks. Certified managers reduce outbreak risk by 60% through proper training and oversight.

📋 Code Requirements

Obtain Food Protection Certificate immediately through NYC-approved course. Certificate holder must be present ALL operating hours. Post certificate conspicuously. Maintain valid certification (renew every 5 years). Train all staff on food safety basics.

CDC Risk Factor: Poor Personal Hygiene - Knowledge Factor
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.15
⚠ CRITICAL 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.

⚠️ Why This Matters

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.

📋 Code Requirements

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.

CDC Risk Factor: Environmental Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.23
⚠ CRITICAL 04E

Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamination may occur. Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance.

Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamination may occur.

⚠️ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly s to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

📋 Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

⚠ CRITICAL 28-06

NYC Health Code Violation 28-06

Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.

⚠️ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 28-06 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

📋 Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

⚠ CRITICAL 06A

Personal cleanliness inadequate

Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.

⚠️ Why This Matters

Poor hygiene transfers pathogens; contaminated clothing spreads bacteria throughout facility

📋 Code Requirements

Clean outer garments; hair restraints; no jewelry; short, clean fingernails; no nail polish

CDC Risk Factor: Poor Personal Hygiene
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.13
Inspector's Action:

Violations were cited in the following area(s).

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STAR CAFE AU LAIT — Inspection Questions

Did STAR CAFE AU LAIT pass their NYC health inspection on July 2, 2025?
STAR CAFE AU LAIT failed with a C grade on July 2, 2025 with a score of 40 points. The inspection found 9 violation(s).
What critical violations did STAR CAFE AU LAIT have?
STAR CAFE AU LAIT had 9 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 10H mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 10H (Sanitization not provided for utensil washing) is a major violation. Utensils must be properly sanitized after washing to kill remaining bacteria Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths
What does violation code 03A mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 03A (Food from unapproved or unknown source) is a critical violation. All food must come from approved, inspected sources to ensure safety Unapproved sources may contain parasites, chemicals, or pathogens not eliminated by cooking
What does violation code 08C mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 08C (Pesticide not properly used or stored) is a major violation. Pesticides must be properly labeled, stored, and used according to regulations Improper pesticide use causes chemical contamination and acute poisoning
What does violation code 10D mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 10D (NYC Health Code Violation 10D) is a critical violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 10D to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
What does violation code 04A mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 04A (Food Protection Certificate Not Held by Supervisor) is a critical violation. At least one supervisor with NYC Food Protection Certificate must be present during all hours of operation. KNOWLEDGE GAP: Establishments without certified managers have 2.5x more critical violations. Lack of food safety knowledge directly correlates with foodborne illness outbreaks. Certified managers reduce outbreak risk by 60% through proper training and oversight.
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 04E mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 04E (Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamination may occur. Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance.) is a critical violation. Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamination may occur. Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance. HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly s to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
What does violation code 28-06 mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 28-06 (NYC Health Code Violation 28-06) is a critical violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 28-06 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
What does violation code 06A mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 06A (Personal cleanliness inadequate) is a critical violation. Food workers must maintain high standards of personal cleanliness Poor hygiene transfers pathogens; contaminated clothing spreads bacteria throughout facility