Critical Violation Code 04A NYC Health Code §81.15

Food Protection Certificate Not Held by Supervisor — NYC Health Violation 04A

Overview

Violation code 04A penalizes restaurants that fail to have a supervisor holding a current NYC Food Protection Certificate on duty during operating hours. This is a critical violation because certified managers have demonstrated food safety knowledge that directly prevents foodborne illness outbreaks—establishments without certified supervisors have 2.5 times more critical violations and 60% higher outbreak risk. Across NYC, this violation has been cited 9,364 times, most frequently in Manhattan, reflecting a persistent gap in food safety management standards.

9,364
Times Cited in NYC
8.46%
of Inspections
Critical
Severity Level
Manhattan
Most Common Borough

What is Violation 04A?

At least one supervisor with NYC Food Protection Certificate must be present during all hours of operation.

What restaurants must do to fix this

Obtain Food Protection Certificate immediately through NYC-approved course. Certificate holder must be present ALL operating hours. Post certificate conspicuously. Maintain valid certification (renew every 5 years). Train all staff on food safety basics.

CDC Risk Factor: Poor Personal Hygiene - Knowledge Factor

NYC DOHMH Guidelines → CDC Food Safety Reference →

Which Boroughs See Violation 04A Most?

Manhattan
2,838 citations
Brooklyn
2,603 citations
Queens
2,515 citations
Bronx
1,003 citations
Staten Island
396 citations
0
13 citations

Restaurants Cited for Violation 04A (9,364 total)

GEBHARD'S BEER CULTURE
228 WEST 72 STREET, Manhattan
Apr 9, 2026
Score: 17
SQUEEZEMEPLZ
137 ALEXANDER AVENUE, Bronx
GRADE N
Apr 9, 2026
Score: 48
RUHANI CAFE
519 ATLANTIC AVENUE, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Apr 8, 2026
Score: 10
BAYA BAR
775 COLUMBUS AVENUE, Manhattan
GRADE N
Apr 8, 2026
Score: 20
JUANCHO VALEZ COFFEE
79-06 37 AVENUE, Queens
GRADE N
Apr 8, 2026
Score: 25
ATOMIC WINGS
60-51 MYRTLE AVENUE, Queens
GRADE Z
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 24
FAT BOYS BURGERS
853 9 AVENUE, Manhattan
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 24
GRANDE CAFFE
63 NEW DORP PLAZA NORTH, Staten Island
GRADE A
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 10
WESTSIDE BAGEL
317 WEST 141 STREET, Manhattan
CLOSED
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 107
LOONG RAMEN
21 SOUTH END AVENUE, Manhattan
GRADE N
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 82
HAVANA CAFE
3151 EAST TREMONT AVENUE, Bronx
GRADE Z
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 19
ITTADI GARDEN & GRILL
73-07 37 ROAD, Queens
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 48
LA QUINTA MANHATTAN MIDTOWN
333 WEST 38 STREET, Manhattan
GRADE Z
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 24
GREEN CHILLI
524B NOSTRAND AVENUE, Brooklyn
GRADE Z
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 30
PRIZRENI GRILL
1080 MORRIS PARK AVENUE, Bronx
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 20
CRISPY BURGER / LAANKEE
25-08 QUEENS PLAZA SOUTH, Queens
GRADE Z
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 61
TIPICO DOMINICANO
103-10 39 AVENUE, Queens
GRADE A
Apr 4, 2026
Score: 13
EL PASILLO
37-69 103 STREET, Queens
GRADE A
Apr 4, 2026
Score: 12
LA BOTTIGLIA BAR & RESTAURANT
293 PORT RICHMOND AVENUE, Staten Island
Apr 4, 2026
Score: 22
RAAZ HOOKAH LOUNGE
192-08 NORTHERN BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE N
Apr 3, 2026
Score: 38

Violation 04A: Frequently Asked Questions

What is violation 04A in NYC restaurants?
At least one supervisor with NYC Food Protection Certificate must be present during all hours of operation.
How serious is violation 04A?
Critical violation. KNOWLEDGE GAP: Establishments without certified managers have 2.5x more critical violations. Lack of food safety knowledge directly correlates with foodborne illness outbreaks. Certified managers reduce outbreak risk by 60% through proper training and oversight.
How many NYC restaurants have been cited for violation 04A?
9,364 NYC restaurant inspections have included violation 04A, representing 8.46% of all inspections with violations.
Which borough has the most violation 04A citations?
Manhattan has the highest number of violation 04A citations among NYC boroughs.
What must a restaurant do to fix violation 04A?
Obtain Food Protection Certificate immediately through NYC-approved course. Certificate holder must be present ALL operating hours. Post certificate conspicuously. Maintain valid certification (renew every 5 years). Train all staff on food safety basics.
Is violation 04A a critical violation?
Yes, violation 04A is a critical violation. Critical violations pose the most serious risk to public health and must be corrected immediately.