The Central Park Conservancy has been using a program called TreeWorks to determine which trees in the park are in need of attention and care. Trees are tagged with labels like "Priority 1" and "immediate action," and are ideally attended by CPC employees. However, the recent series of injuries and deaths caused by falling tree limbs in the park has sparked an investigation into how well the system works. According to the Post, it doesn't. more ›

It's really happening, the moment restaurateurs have long been dreading: After a month-long comment period, the DOH has finalized the rules for the new letter grading system. Despite warnings from some of the city's 24,000 food-service establishments that the system will drive them out of business, the DOH is determined to make sure diners know how sanitary their experience will be. As an experiment, we checked some current big-name restaurants (plus our local favorites) to see what they'd score if the grades were assigned today. more ›

After yesterday's protest over a supposed Health Department crackdown on food vendors who take bathroom breaks, peanut vendor Shirajul Islam, who had his permit confiscated while he was in the can last week, went to get his cart inspected. Because of all the publicity, the city expedited the process yesterday, but ultimately the permit was denied because Islam failed to bring his cooking utensils or a notarized letter from the garage where he stores his cart. He was also cited for soot in one corner of his cart and a malfunctioning burner. Sean Basinski, director of the Street Vendor Project, witnessed the inspection and blasted the Health Department: more ›

Protein shakes aren't the only drinks that contain raw eggs. A number of high-end bars and lounges have started using raw egg whites and raw egg yolks in their cocktails, and according to the Times, drink makers believe they are under attack from the city due to overblown salmonella concerns. Rumors of the raw egg crackdown stem from a Jan. 19 health code violation leveled against SoHo's Pegu Club because a barkeep allegedly didn't tell a patron his drink included raw eggs. more ›

After suspicious pasta salad (allegedly) took out fifteen New York Times employees who ate it in the paper's cafeteria, The Daily Finance had the bright idea to peruse the health inspection records of the Gray Lady's fancy office eatery. While the cafeteria's most recent inspection resulted in 10 violation points (lower than the city-wide average of 14 points), it's a horse of a different putrid color over at their printing plant in Queens. In February of last year it was cited for "evidence of roaches or live roaches in food and/or non-food areas," "conditions conducive to vermin" and improperly installed or maintained plumbing, earning it 18 violation points. That's not enough to shut it down, but apparently the Times thinks that's good enough for their blue collar workers. more ›

This town is crawling with mice and rats and terrifying mutant cockroaches, so it's funny WABC "Eyewitness News" is so shocked to find the city school system has a bit of a rodent problem. The fact that school lunch is unappetizing isn't exactly flashing-siren news, but this is revolting nonetheless: Records obtained through Freedom of Information show that 545 school cafeterias had one or more critical health violations, and about one-third of those violations were for mice and mice droppings. Perhaps student Jose Rodriguez said it best: "Nasty. It's disgusting, but it's really not surprising." more ›

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) fell far short of its mandate to inspect all NYC restaurants in Fiscal Year 2008, according to an audit by city Comptroller William Thompson, Jr. The report also finds that the agency has not been following up fast enough with restaurants that have failed inspections to ensure that health code violations are being remedied. In a statement, Thompson said that "in one instance, a restaurant was allowed to remain open even after four failed inspections, two of which detected mice. It is important to ensure that compliance inspections are performed timely. Otherwise, the danger that food-borne illness could occur as a result of unsanitary conditions being allowed to continue is increased." The audit calculates that of the 19,321 restaurants with permits in FY08, 4,267 (22%) were never inspected. A spokesman for the health department admitted to City Room that it was an off year, with inspectors getting around to only 80.1% of NYC restaurants. But the DOHMH insists it's on target to inspect 99% this year, and in 2010 restaurants will have to start posting those letter grades. more ›

Kefi, the insanely popular Greek restaurant (photos) with the astonishingly sane prices, was closed yesterday by the Health Department. Chef Michael Psilakis—who has never been slapped with such a serious DOH penalty at his other hit restaurants, which include Anthos and Mia Dona—says the problem had to do with a paperwork oversight, not the usual "rat rodeo" situation that has shuttered other eateries in recent years. The Health Department confirms they closed Kefi after it failed its initial pre-permit inspection:

They were found operating without a permit and a Food Protection Course certificate holder present. Other factors that contributed to the closure included holding several food items at unsafe temperatures and having no hand washing sink in the food preparation area in the basement. In order to reopen, the operator of Kefi must apply for a permit, correct all conditions that led to violations, submit an affidavit of correction to the Health Department and schedule a re-opening inspection.

Yesterday State Senator Jeff Klein, a Democrat from the Bronx, released his third annual "dirty dozen" list of New York City's most unsanitary restaurants, based on inspection scores and citations for pest problems. Unfortunately for celebrity chef Mario Batali, the press conference was held outside his Del Posto Ristorante in the Meatpacking District. The three star restaurant was hit with dozens of violations in June, including a citation for food that was "spoiled, adulterated, contaminated or cross-contaminated." more ›

An amusement park ride inspector warns that some of the rides at Coney Island are so dangerous they should not be open for business. Last summer a man died after surgery to heal vertebrae fractured on the Cyclone, but the rides now targeted by “amusement-safety consultant” Walt Reiss don’t include the famous wooden roller coaster. more ›

It's the reproductive version of the subprime mortgage crisis! According to the NY Post, New York City's sperm banks are holding a lot of junk. more ›