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)

OCEAN PRIME
64-14 FLUSHING AVENUE, Queens
May 23, 2025
Score: 25
BAGEL HOUSE
461 5 AVENUE, Manhattan
May 22, 2025
Score: 25
KIM PO RESTAURANT
110-06 FARMERS BOULEVARD, Queens
May 21, 2025
Score: 22
CASA MARGARITAS
247-63 JERICHO TURNPIKE, Queens
May 20, 2025
Score: 48
CHACHAWAN
881 WOODWARD AVENUE, Queens
May 16, 2025
Score: 45
YELLOW MAGNOLIA CAFE
1000 WASHINGTON AVENUE, Brooklyn
GRADE A
May 14, 2025
Score: 10
ROYALE
157 AVENUE C, Manhattan
May 14, 2025
L'WREN
4004 5 AVENUE, Brooklyn
GRADE A
May 8, 2025
Score: 12
SOPHRA TURKISH RESTAURANT
535 3 AVENUE, Manhattan
May 8, 2025
Score: 32
SALSA PIZZA NAPOLETANA
63-118 WOODHAVEN BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE N
May 8, 2025
Score: 27
GRAVESEND BAGELS DELI
2650C CONEY ISLAND AVENUE, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Apr 28, 2025
Score: 10
DIM SUM SAM
80 BOWERY, Manhattan
Apr 24, 2025
Score: 43
JOE'S HOME OF SOUP DUMPLINGS
12 EAST 49 STREET, Manhattan
GRADE C
Apr 23, 2025
Score: 48
CALEXICO
122 UNION STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Apr 17, 2025
Score: 13
LILCAFE
40-21 22 STREET, Queens
GRADE C
Apr 9, 2025
Score: 28
GREAT EAST CHINESE CUISINE
29-30A UNION STREET, Queens
CLOSED
Apr 7, 2025
Score: 82
SUSUKINO RAMEN & SAKE
34 WATER STREET, Manhattan
GRADE Z
Apr 1, 2025
Score: 45
QUALITY GRILL & GYRO
1805 EDISON AVENUE, Bronx
Mar 28, 2025
Score: 28
DISH FOOD & EVENTS
42-25C VERNON BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Mar 21, 2025
Score: 12
SINGLISH
17 EAST 13 STREET, Manhattan
Mar 18, 2025
Score: 42

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.