Black Seed
Last inspected: Jan 9, 2026
64
Score
Across the available record, Black Seed has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The most recent report on file is from Jan 9, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around four violations lately and about seven violations before that.
The pattern that stands out is “effectiveness-hair restraints”, which has been cited six times.
By comparison, the average Boston facility scores 86, putting Black Seed on the weaker side. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 9, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw shell eggs observed stored above ready to eat items. Provide proper storage for raw shell eggs PIC correcting
590.003/3-302.11-P
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: Provide an air gap at the 2 bay prep sink
590.005/5-402.11-P
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide labels listing ingredients on all retail packaged items in the open air display case PIC correcting
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Stuffed grape leaves observed stored in the original can.Provide a food grade container during storage PIC correcting
590.003/3-305.11-C
64
Sep 23, 2025
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Wrapped cheese and ham obsevred with no date marking in walk in cooler. Provide date marking for all foods held longer than 24 hours.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Handwashing sinks installation (pf)
Inspector notes: Service counter hand sink at 80F. Hot water at all other hand sinks. Repair to have water at least 100F at hand sink.
590.005/5-202.12-PF
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: No labels on orange juice and rice pudding in grab and go station. Provide.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employee on production line observed with no hair restraint. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
70
Jul 7, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Orange juice in self serve cooler observed with no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employee on production line with no hair restraint. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Excess trash and cardboard in basement area. Call for additional service if necessary.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Food product observed on floor of walk in cooler. Elevate to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-305.11-C
74
Apr 23, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Packaged rice pudding in grab and go cooler observed with no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Packaged rice pudding in grab and go cooler observed with no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employee on production line cooking without hair restraint. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employee on production line cooking without hair restraint. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Bulk rice bins downstairs are observed uncovered. Cover to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Bulk rice bins downstairs are observed uncovered. Cover to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hand sink observed leaking. Repair as necessary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hand sink observed leaking. Repair as necessary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.
590.006/6-501.14-C
55
Apr 15, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Packaged rice pudding in grab and go cooler observed with no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.
590.006/6-501.14-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hand sink observed leaking. Repair as necessary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Bulk rice bins downstairs are observed uncovered. Cover to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employee on production line cooking without hair restraint. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
74
Oct 21, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat product. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Rice pudding in grab and go area observed without labels. Provide.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hand sink on production line observed leaking into bucket. Repair as necessary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Wood use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wood panels being used on speed rack in walk in cooler. Wood is discolored and soiled. Remove all wood and replace with food grade material that is easily cleanable.
590.004/4-101.17-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employees on production line and prep area without hair restraints. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
67
Apr 23, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Packaged rice pudding observed for retail sale without label. Provide labels for all grab and go items.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottle observed with no label. Provide.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Ceramic bowl in bulk rice container. Remove.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Hard boiled eggs for retail sale left out in grab in go cooler without any protection. Package in container with label to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-307.11-C
74
May 8, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Black Seed last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Black Seed on file is from Jan 9, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Black Seed?
Across the inspection record, “effectiveness-hair restraints” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Black Seed.
How does Black Seed compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Black Seed most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Black Seed's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Black Seed have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Black Seed means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Black Seed inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Black Seed is inspected around three times per year on average.
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