MAY WAH FAST FOOD

SCORE: 39 POINTS

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Address
190 HESTER STREET
Manhattan, NY 10013
Cuisine
Chinese
Inspection Type
Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection
Violations
6 total
⚠ 6 critical
Facility History
3 inspections
1 failures

Violations Cited

⚠ CRITICAL 08A

Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions

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

⚠️ Why This Matters

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.

📋 Code Requirements

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.

CDC Risk Factor: Environmental Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.17
⚠ CRITICAL 02G

Cold TCS Food Held Above 41°F

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.

⚠️ Why This Matters

DANGER ZONE GROWTH: Between 41-70°F, E. coli doubles every 30 minutes. Salmonella doubles every 20 minutes at 70-90°F. After just 4 hours above 41°F, bacteria levels can cause severe illness including bloody diarrhea, kidney failure (E. coli), and typhoid fever (Salmonella).

📋 Code Requirements

Keep all cold TCS foods at 41°F or below (smoked fish 38°F, shell eggs 45°F). Monitor with calibrated thermometer every 2-4 hours. Ice baths must surround container to food level. Repair refrigeration immediately. DISCARD foods above 41°F for over 4 hours.

CDC Risk Factor: Improper Holding/Time & Temperature
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.09(c)
⚠ CRITICAL 04L

Evidence of Mice Present in Facility

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

⚠️ Why This Matters

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.

📋 Code Requirements

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.

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Environmental
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.17
⚠ CRITICAL 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.

⚠️ Why This Matters

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.

📋 Code Requirements

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.

CDC Risk Factor: Environmental Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.23
⚠ CRITICAL 02A

Food not cooked to required minimum temperature

Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food not cooked to required minimum internal temperature. • Poultry, poultry parts, ground and comminuted poultry, all stuffing containing poultry, meats, fish or ratites to or above 165 °F for 15 seconds with no interruption of the cooking process • Ground meat, and food containing ground and comminuted meat, to or above 158 °F for 15 seconds with no interruption of the cooking process, except per individual customer request • Pork, any food containing pork to or above 150 °F for 15 seconds • Mechanically tenderized or injected meats to or above 155 °F. • Whole meat roasts and beef steak to or above required temperature and time except per individual customer request • Raw animal foods cooked in microwave to or above165 °F, covered, rotated or stirred • All other foods to or above 140 °F for 15 seconds; shell eggs to or above 145 °F for 15 seconds except per individual customer request.

⚠️ Why This Matters

Undercooked food is a leading cause of foodborne illness, potentially causing severe illness or death

📋 Code Requirements

Cook to minimum temps: Poultry 165°F, Ground meat 158°F, Pork/Beef/Lamb 145°F, Eggs 145°F, Fish 145°F

CDC Risk Factor: Inadequate Cooking
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.09
⚠ CRITICAL 02B

Hot TCS Food Not Held at 140°F or Above

Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.

⚠️ Why This Matters

BACTERIAL MULTIPLICATION: At 120°F, Clostridium perfringens doubles every 10 minutes. Can reach illness-causing levels within 1 hour. This bacteria causes 1 million US cases annually with severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea lasting 24 hours. Hot holding violations responsible for 40% of restaurant outbreaks.

📋 Code Requirements

Maintain ALL hot foods at 140°F minimum. Check temperatures every 30 minutes for problem foods, every 2 hours otherwise. Use calibrated thermometers. Adjust equipment immediately if below 140°F. Reheat to 165°F if below temp for under 2 hours. DISCARD if below 140°F for over 2 hours.

CDC Risk Factor: Improper Holding/Time & Temperature - CDC Risk Factor #3
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.09(a)
Inspector's Action:

Violations were cited in the following area(s).

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