Re-Inspection
Apr 27, 2026
No violations found
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from New York State Department of Health, Apr 27, 2026 · Original Source
Food Service Establishment · Nassau County, NY
Zou Chinese Cuisine
252 Merrick Road
Last inspected Apr 27, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
No violations found
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Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
5 inspectionsRe-Inspection
Apr 17, 2026
Critical violations found
2 recorded violations
minorCode 10ACleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemscriticalCode 5CFood temperature
Official wording
Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperatureOfficial record from New York State Department of Health, Apr 17, 2026 · Original Source
Inspection
Apr 6, 2026
Critical violations found
4 recorded violations
minorCode 10ACleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsminorCode 8BEquipment and utensils
Official wording
In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
In plain English
Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.
More about equipment or utensil issuesminorCode 14CPests
Official wording
Pesticide application not supervised by a certified applicator
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectscriticalCode 5CFood temperature
Official wording
Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperatureOfficial record from New York State Department of Health, Apr 6, 2026 · Original Source
Re-Inspection
Jun 20, 2025
No violations found
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from New York State Department of Health, Jun 20, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Jun 11, 2025
Critical violations found
6 recorded violations
minorCode 12CWater, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemscriticalCode 5BFood temperature
Official wording
Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperatureminorCode 16Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
Miscellaneous, Economic Violation, Choking Poster, Training.
In plain English
A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.
More about paperwork, training, or posting issuesminorCode 15CEquipment and utensils
Official wording
Premises littered, unnecessary equipment and article present, living quarters no completely separated for food service operations, live animals, birds and pets not excluded
In plain English
Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.
More about equipment or utensil issuesminorCode 11BCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsminorCode 11DCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsOfficial record from New York State Department of Health, Jun 11, 2025 · Original Source
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