THE HAIRY LEMON

GRADE A

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Overview

THE HAIRY LEMON in East Village received a Grade A on their NYC health inspection on June 3, 2023, scoring 13 points. The inspection found 4 violations, including 4 critical.

Address
28 AVENUE B
Manhattan, NY 10009
Cuisine
American
Inspection Type
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
Violations
4 total
⚠ 4 critical
Facility History
2 inspections

Violations Cited

⚠ CRITICAL 09E

NYC Health Code Violation 09E

Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.

⚠️ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 09E 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 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.

⚠️ Why This Matters

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.

📋 Code Requirements

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.

CDC Risk Factor: Environmental Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.23
⚠ 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 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.

⚠️ Why This Matters

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.

📋 Code Requirements

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.

CDC Risk Factor: Poor Personal Hygiene - #1 CDC Risk Factor
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.13(d)
Inspector's Action:

Violations were cited in the following area(s).

View Facility Profile →

THE HAIRY LEMON — Inspection Questions

Did THE HAIRY LEMON pass their NYC health inspection on June 3, 2023?
THE HAIRY LEMON passed with an A grade on June 3, 2023 with a score of 13 points. The inspection found 4 violation(s).
What critical violations did THE HAIRY LEMON have?
THE HAIRY LEMON had 4 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 09E mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 09E (NYC Health Code Violation 09E) 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 09E to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
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 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 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.