NYC Health Dept. Closes Salt & Pepper

Salt & Pepper Indian restaurant located in midtown west Manhattan near Penn Station has been closed by the New York City Health Department after a health inspection on October 22, 2010 uncovered serious hygiene-related violations.

Salt & Pepper located at 138 West 33 St in NYC received a whopping 127 violation points in NYC Health Dept’s inspection of  October 22, 2010

Sanitary Violations observed at Salt & Pepper on October 22, 2010 health inspection:
(critical violations in red color)

1) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F.
2) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
3) Eggs found dirty/cracked; liquid, frozen or powdered eggs not pasteurized.
4) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
5) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
6) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
7) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
8 ) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
9) Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
10) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
11) Pesticide use not in accordance with label or applicable laws. Prohibited chemical used/stored. Open bait station used.
12) Food contact surface not properly maintained.
13) 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.
14) 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.
15) Other general violation.