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Juice, Smoothies, Fruit Salads · New York City, NY

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

8719 Avenue D

Last inspected Sep 19, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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A Grade

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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 inspections

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

Sep 19, 2025

A Grade

Official score: 11 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

minorCode 10FCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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.

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 problems
criticalCode 02GFood temperature

Official wording

Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

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 temperature

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Sep 19, 2025 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

Dec 27, 2024

B Grade

Official score: 26 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

minorCode 10FCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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.

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 problems
criticalCode 04LPests

Official wording

Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

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 insects
minorCode 09CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.

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 problems
criticalCode 04APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

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 issues
minorCode 08APests

Official wording

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

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 insects

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dec 27, 2024 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

Oct 11, 2024

Violations cited

Official score: 57 · Understand this area’s scale

7 recorded violations

criticalCode 06CContamination

Official wording

Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
criticalCode 06ECleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

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 problems
criticalCode 06DContamination

Official wording

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
minorCode 09CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.

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 problems
minorCode 08APests

Official wording

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

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 insects
minorCode 10FCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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.

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 problems
criticalCode 04LPests

Official wording

Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

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 insects

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Oct 11, 2024 · Original Source

Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

Mar 25, 2024

Violations cited

4 recorded violations

minorCode 19-06Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)

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 issues
minorCode 20-04Equipment and utensils

Official wording

“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted.

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 issues
minorCode 20-08Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
minorCode 20-01Other

Official wording

Allergen or intolerance notice not translated into common language when required

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Mar 25, 2024 · Original Source

Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection

Mar 25, 2024

A Grade

Official score: 13 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode 10BWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

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 problems
criticalCode 06AHandwashing

Official wording

Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode 10FCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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.

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 problems

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Mar 25, 2024 · Original Source

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