THE UPPER CRUST
SCORE: 35 POINTSThursday, May 12, 2022
Violations Cited
04C
Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
Food worker does not use proper utensil 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.
10H
Sanitization not provided for utensil washing
Proper sanitization not provided for utensil ware washing operation.
Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths
Use approved sanitizer at correct concentration; test strips required; proper contact time
10J
Hand wash sign not posted Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
Hand wash sign not posted
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Hand wash sign not posted Food contact s to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
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.
06C
Food not protected from contamination
Food 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
02B
Hot TCS Food Not Held at 140°F or Above
Hot food item not held at or above 140º F.
BACTERIAL MULTIPLICATION: At 120°F, Clostridium perfringens doubles every 10 minutes. Can reach illness-causing levels within 1 hour. This bacteria causes 1 million US cases annually with severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea lasting 24 hours. Hot holding violations responsible for 40% of restaurant outbreaks.
Maintain ALL hot foods at 140°F minimum. Check temperatures every 30 minutes for problem foods, every 2 hours otherwise. Use calibrated thermometers. Adjust equipment immediately if below 140°F. Reheat to 165°F if below temp for under 2 hours. DISCARD if below 140°F for over 2 hours.
06B
NYC Health Code Violation 06B
Tobacco use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area observed.
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 06B to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
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.
10F
Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean
Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/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.
10B
Plumbing Not Properly Installed or Maintained
Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
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.
Violations were cited in the following area(s).