TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE
Saturday, January 11, 2025
TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE in Astoria (East) Woodside (North) underwent a NYC health inspection on January 11, 2025. The inspection found 7 violations, including 7 critical.
Violations Cited
18-13
Failure to comply with an order of the Board of Health, Commissioner or Department.
04P
Food containing a prohibited substance held, kept, offered, prepared, processed, packaged, or served. Required succinct nutritional statements not posted on menu(s) for adults and children (2,000 calories per day for adults) Additional nutritional information statement not posted, or additional nutritional information not provided Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
Food containing a prohibited substance held, kept, offered, prepared, processed, packaged, or served.
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Food containing a prohibited substance h 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.
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.
18-14
Order or notice posted or required to be posted by the Department mutilated, obstructed or removed.
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.
10E
Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment 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.
Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Accurate thermometer not provided or pro 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.
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.
Violations were cited in the following area(s).
TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE — Inspection Questions
- Did TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE pass their NYC health inspection on January 11, 2025?
- TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE underwent inspection on January 11, 2025. The inspection found 7 violation(s).
- What critical violations did TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE have?
- TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE 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 04P mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 04P (Food containing a prohibited substance held, kept, offered, prepared, processed, packaged, or served. Required succinct nutritional statements not posted on menu(s) for adults and children (2,000 calories per day for adults) Additional nutritional information statement not posted, or additional nutritional information not provided Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.) is a critical violation. Food containing a prohibited substance held, kept, offered, prepared, processed, packaged, or served. Required succinct nutritional statements not posted on menu(s) for adults and children (2,000 calories per day for adults) Additional nutritional information statement not posted, or additional nutritional information not provided Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained. HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Food containing a prohibited substance h to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
- 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.
- 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 10E mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 10E (Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment 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.) is a critical violation. Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment 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. HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Accurate thermometer not provided or pro to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
- 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.