Critical Violation Code 02A NYC Health Code §81.09

Food not cooked to required minimum temperature — NYC Health Violation 02A

Overview

Violation code 02A — Food Not Cooked to Required Minimum Temperature — is a critical temperature control violation cited 278 times across NYC since health inspections began tracking this data, with Manhattan accounting for the majority of cases. Inadequate cooking temperatures allow harmful bacteria to survive in potentially hazardous foods, making this a direct cause of foodborne illness outbreaks that can result in severe illness or death. Restaurants must maintain proper internal temperatures for all animal proteins, eggs, and other high-risk foods to prevent this violation and protect public health.

278
Times Cited in NYC
0.25%
of Inspections
Critical
Severity Level
Manhattan
Most Common Borough

What is Violation 02A?

All potentially hazardous foods must be cooked to proper internal temperatures to kill harmful bacteria

What restaurants must do to fix this

Cook to minimum temps: Poultry 165°F, Ground meat 158°F, Pork/Beef/Lamb 145°F, Eggs 145°F, Fish 145°F

CDC Risk Factor: Inadequate Cooking

NYC DOHMH Guidelines → CDC Food Safety Reference →

Which Boroughs See Violation 02A Most?

Manhattan
113 citations
Brooklyn
79 citations
Queens
70 citations
Bronx
14 citations
Staten Island
2 citations

Restaurants Cited for Violation 02A (278 total)

CASINO
171 EAST BROADWAY, Manhattan
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 35
GAI CHICKEN & RICE
118 FULTON STREET, Manhattan
Mar 6, 2026
Score: 39
UNION GROUNDS
270 SMITH STREET, Brooklyn
Feb 20, 2026
Score: 35
HONG KONG II
102-59 JAMAICA AVENUE, Queens
GRADE A
Feb 10, 2026
Score: 12
LET'S BOUNCE
79 MOTT STREET, Manhattan
GRADE N
Feb 4, 2026
Score: 28
NIPPONCHA RESTAURANT
39-34 BELL BOULEVARD, Queens
Feb 2, 2026
Score: 47
MERIT KABAB
37-67 74 STREET, Queens
Jan 30, 2026
Score: 43
HOME OF ASTORIA (HOA)
28-49 STEINWAY STREET, Queens
Jan 23, 2026
HOME OF ASTORIA (HOA)
28-49 STEINWAY STREET, Queens
Jan 23, 2026
GREEK EXPRESS
3733 RIVERDALE AVENUE, Bronx
Jan 21, 2026
Score: 27
JS RESTAURANT & DINER
16568 BAISLEY BLVD, Queens
GRADE Z
Jan 5, 2026
Score: 35
SOJOURN SOCIAL
1708 2 AVENUE, Manhattan
GRADE N
Dec 23, 2025
Score: 29
SOJOURN SOCIAL
1708 2 AVENUE, Manhattan
GRADE N
Dec 23, 2025
Score: 29
GRADE N
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 46
GRADE N
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 46
GRADE N
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 46
AYAT
8504 3 AVENUE, Brooklyn
CLOSED
Dec 17, 2025
Score: 44
AYAT
8504 3 AVENUE, Brooklyn
CLOSED
Dec 17, 2025
Score: 44
AYAT
8504 3 AVENUE, Brooklyn
CLOSED
Dec 17, 2025
Score: 44
CAFE BRUME
80 MONTAGUE STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Dec 16, 2025
Score: 10

Related Temperature Control Violations

02G Cold TCS Food Held Above 41°F Critical 20,403 cited 02B Hot TCS Food Not Held at 140°F or Above Critical 17,511 cited 02H Food Not Cooled by Approved Method Critical 3,102 cited 02C NYC Health Code Violation 02C Critical 377 cited 02I NYC Health Code Violation 02I Critical 207 cited 02F NYC Health Code Violation 02F Critical 180 cited

Browse all 131 violation codes →

Violation 02A: Frequently Asked Questions

What is violation 02A in NYC restaurants?
All potentially hazardous foods must be cooked to proper internal temperatures to kill harmful bacteria
How serious is violation 02A?
Critical violation. Undercooked food is a leading cause of foodborne illness, potentially causing severe illness or death
How many NYC restaurants have been cited for violation 02A?
278 NYC restaurant inspections have included violation 02A, representing 0.25% of all inspections with violations.
Which borough has the most violation 02A citations?
Manhattan has the highest number of violation 02A citations among NYC boroughs.
What must a restaurant do to fix violation 02A?
Cook to minimum temps: Poultry 165°F, Ground meat 158°F, Pork/Beef/Lamb 145°F, Eggs 145°F, Fish 145°F
Is violation 02A a critical violation?
Yes, violation 02A is a critical violation. Critical violations pose the most serious risk to public health and must be corrected immediately.