Unhygienic Conditions Persist at Dhaba NYC

Food worker at Shiva Natarajan’s Dhaba Indian restaurant does not wash hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet, coughing, sneezing, smoking, preparing raw foods or otherwise contaminating hands, says the New York City Health Department after inspecting this Indian restaurant on March 2, 2009.

The NYC Health Dept. inspection report also noted that Dhaba located on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan is not vermin proof, has evidence of mice or live mice present in food and/or non-food areas and the food is not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Dhaba – Miles to go on Hygiene

To pass the NYC Health Dept. inspection, a restaurant must receive 27 violation points or less.

By receiving 27 violation points, Dhaba squeaked through the NYC Health Dept. inspection of March 2, 2009 to a passing grade.

Sanitary Violations observed at Dhaba during the March 2, 2009 inspection:

1.) Garbage receptacles not provided or inadequate. Garbage storage area not properly constructed or maintained; grinder or compactor dirty.
2.) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin exist.
3.) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
4.) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
5.) Food worker does not wash hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet, coughing, sneezing, smoking, preparing raw foods or otherwise contaminating hands.

The NYC Dept. of Health said a Notice of Violation was not issued as a result of this inspection and that the violation point total received by Dhaba is above the average violation point total of 16 for all NYC restaurants on their most recent inspection.

Meanwhile, Shiva’s other Indian restaurant Tadka also managed to pass the NYC Health Dept. inspection of March 3, 2009 by receiving 8 Violation Points. But food at Tadka, according to the NYC Health Dept. inspection report of March 3, 2009, is not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Dhaba Indian Restaurant Previous NYC Inspection Reports:

Date | Violation Points

02/10/2009 – 48
09/26/2008 – 20