NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed May 22 - 29

Unannounced inspections occur at more than 25,000 restaurants each year to check health and safety standards. Most restaurants pass, while some accumulate violation points for issues such as broken light bulbs and public health hazards including vermin and failure to follow food safety protocols. Non-food-safety violations can lead to fines or lower letter grades, with point ranges determining grades from A to C. Public health hazards that cannot be fixed immediately, such as mouse or fly infestations, result in immediate closure. One closed Brooklyn restaurant listed multiple violations including inadequate ventilation, missing or noncompliant handwashing facilities, conditions conducive to pests, improper hot TCS food holding temperatures, deficient dishwashing and sanitizing, and improperly used or stored sanitized utensils.

"Every year, inspectors arrive unannounced at more than 25,000 restaurants to examine health and safety standards. Most eateries pass inspections, but some fall short of the city's standards, accruing violation points for everything from broken light bulbs to "public health hazards," like vermin and failure to follow food safety protocols."

"Restaurants hit with non-food-safety violations might get a fine or a lower letter grade, with zero to 13 points warranting an 'A' and violations totaling 28 points or more earning a 'C' (this system is criticized for its efficacy by some gourmands)."

"Public health hazards that can't be resolved on the spot, like a mouse or fly infestation, pose a bigger issue: immediate closure."

"Taste Of The City Fresh Grill (1688 Flatbush Ave.) Violation Points: 73. 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. No handwashing facility in or adjacent to restroom or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests."

Read at New York City, NY Patch