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)

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
280 MARSH AVENUE, Staten Island
GRADE A
Jan 14, 2025
Score: 12
DELICIOUS CHINESE RESTAURANT
1974A 2 AVENUE, Manhattan
Jan 14, 2025
Score: 48
COSMOS RESTAURANT
726 EAST TREMONT AVENUE, Bronx
GRADE A
Jan 10, 2025
Score: 12
EWE'S DELICIOUS TREATS AFRICAN RESTAURANT
453 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, Brooklyn
CLOSED
Jan 7, 2025
Score: 73
EWE'S DELICIOUS TREATS AFRICAN RESTAURANT
453 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, Brooklyn
CLOSED
Jan 7, 2025
Score: 73
BROADWAY PHO BANG
82-90 BROADWAY, Queens
GRADE C
Jan 2, 2025
Score: 30
HONG KONG EATS
44-12 KISSENA BOULEVARD, Queens
Dec 31, 2024
Score: 63
JOSEPH LEONARD
170 WAVERLY PLACE, Manhattan
GRADE A
Dec 26, 2024
Score: 12
CHILL'D TASTE THAI
167-11 UNION TURNPIKE, Queens
GRADE C
Dec 23, 2024
Score: 47
AMERICAN BRASS
2-01 50 AVENUE, Queens
Dec 7, 2024
Score: 37
CHINA ROYAL
1377 65 STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Dec 2, 2024
Score: 10
BLISS 46 BISTRO
43-46 46 STREET, Queens
GRADE A
Dec 2, 2024
Score: 12
PEKING HOUSE
244 FLATBUSH AVENUE, Brooklyn
Nov 26, 2024
Score: 71
PLAKA ESTIATORIO
75-61 31 AVENUE, Queens
GRADE A
Nov 22, 2024
Score: 12
BLAZIN CHICKEN & GYRO
16 EAST 167 STREET, Bronx
Nov 21, 2024
Score: 98
PECKING HOUSE
83 HENRY STREET, Manhattan
CLOSED
Nov 21, 2024
Score: 95
PHO GRAND
277 GRAND STREET, Manhattan
GRADE C
Nov 14, 2024
Score: 44
TEN FULL
39-49 48 AVENUE, Queens
GRADE A
Nov 13, 2024
Score: 12
CHELSEA BELL
260 WEST 26 STREET, Manhattan
GRADE B
Nov 12, 2024
Score: 24
BAGEL PUB
418 6 AVENUE, Manhattan
GRADE A
Nov 7, 2024
Score: 12

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.