Sunset Park Tea Shop Shut Down By Health Department For Fruit Flies, Live Mice Evidence

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — A Sunset Park tea shop was closed last week after health inspectors found "filth flies" and evidence of live mice.

The city's health department shut down T Baaron Eighth Avenue near 64th Street, outside of the Fei Long grocery store following an inspection on Thursday, August 3.

According to the health department's website, the following violations were found at the site:

1) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
2) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
3) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
4) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
5) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
6) Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
7) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
8) 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.

That all adds up to a dismal score of 64, a failing grade.

The Fei Long location is one of several scattered across Sunset Park. In addition to tea, T Baar serves smoothies, bubble tea and other drinks.

Patch has reached out to T Baar for comment, and will update this post if we hear back.

Image via Google Streetview