Manhattan, NY - Health department officials identified compliance issues at VAN LEEUWEN ICE CREAM in an inspection dated 04/02/2025.
Located at 253 COLUMBUS AVENUE in the Lower East Side area, the establishment serves the local community. The Lower East Side neighborhood maintains numerous food service establishments that undergo regular health monitoring.
The inspection identified 2 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation involved cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: 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.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
The second violation involved pest prevention. Inspectors documented: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Flies can transfer pathogens from garbage and feces to food preparation areas.
Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.
This inspection data is provided by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/02/2025 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the New York City Health Code. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Local Health Department
The establishment was cited for health code violations during the inspection. See the full article for detailed violation information.
Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness. Flies can transfer pathogens from garbage and feces to food preparation areas.
This inspection data is sourced directly from New York State Department of Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: NYC Food Code (Article 81), FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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