By Meghan Sackman: A popular Jackson Heights Bengali eatery has been temporarily closed by the Health Department. Haat Bazaar, located at 3711 73rd St., was shut down following a Nov. 6 inspection when it racked up 66 violation points. The inspection revealed several sanitary violations including four deemed “critical.” DOH inspectors found evidence of hot food items not being held at or above 140° F; food not being cooled by an approved method; and live roaches in the establishment’s food and/or non-food areas.

The following is the full list of sanitary violations with the first four labeled “critical”: 1) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. (2) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. (3) Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º F to 70º F or less within 2 hours, and from 70º F to 41º F or less within 4 additional hours. (4) Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. (5) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist. (6) Pesticide use not in accordance with label or applicable laws. Prohibited chemical used/stored. Open bait station used. (7) 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. (8) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. (9) Single service item reused, improperly stored, dispensed; not used when required.(Jackson Heights Post.com)