THE PLUG

SCORE: 38 POINTS

Monday, August 15, 2022

Overview

THE PLUG in Washington Heights (South) underwent a NYC health inspection on August 15, 2022 and scored 38 points. The inspection found 3 violations, including 3 critical.

Address
502 WEST 167 STREET
Manhattan, NY 10032
Cuisine
Coffee/Tea
Inspection Type
Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection
Violations
3 total
⚠ 3 critical
Facility History
4 inspections

Violations Cited

⚠ CRITICAL 05H

NYC Health Code Violation 05H

Written Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) approved by the Department for refillable, reusable containers not available at the time of inspection. Container construction improper

⚠️ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 05H 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 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 04H

Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated

Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

⚠️ Why This Matters

PATHOGEN SPREAD: Cross-contamination spreads deadly bacteria throughout facility. One contaminated cutting board can transfer Salmonella to 20+ food items. Causes multi-victim outbreaks. E. coli O157:H7 from raw beef can cause kidney failure in children.

📋 Code Requirements

Prevent ALL cross-contamination: Separate equipment for raw and ready-to-eat, Color-coded cutting boards, Proper storage order (raw below ready-to-eat), Clean and sanitize between different foods, Cover all foods, Change gloves between tasks.

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Cross-Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.07
Inspector's Action:

Violations were cited in the following area(s).

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THE PLUG — Inspection Questions

Did THE PLUG pass their NYC health inspection on August 15, 2022?
THE PLUG underwent inspection on August 15, 2022 with a score of 38 points. The inspection found 3 violation(s).
What critical violations did THE PLUG have?
THE PLUG had 3 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 05H mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 05H (NYC Health Code Violation 05H) 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 05H to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
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 04H mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 04H (Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated) is a critical violation. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, or cross-contaminated during storage, preparation, or service. PATHOGEN SPREAD: Cross-contamination spreads deadly bacteria throughout facility. One contaminated cutting board can transfer Salmonella to 20+ food items. Causes multi-victim outbreaks. E. coli O157:H7 from raw beef can cause kidney failure in children.