How serious is violation 06C?

Critical violation. Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants

How many NYC restaurants have been cited for violation 06C?

20,573 NYC restaurant inspections have included violation 06C, representing 18.6% of all inspections with violations.

Which borough has the most violation 06C citations?

Manhattan has the highest number of violation 06C citations among NYC boroughs.

Is violation 06C a critical violation?

Yes, violation 06C is a critical violation. Critical violations pose the most serious risk to public health and must be corrected immediately.

Critical Violation Code 06C NYC Health Code §81.09

Food not protected from contamination — NYC Health Violation 06C

Overview

Violation code 06C — Food not protected from contamination — is a critical food protection violation cited over 20,500 times across NYC since inspections began. This violation occurs when food is exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, or physical contaminants during storage, preparation, display, or service, creating direct risk of foodborne illness. The violation is the most frequently cited in Manhattan and reflects a core requirement of food safety: all food must be properly protected at every stage from farm to table.

20,573

Times Cited in NYC

18.6%

of Inspections

Critical

Severity Level

Manhattan

Most Common Borough

What is Violation 06C?

All food must be protected from contamination during storage, prep, display and service

What restaurants must do to fix this

Cover all food; store 6 inches off floor; protect from customer contamination; use sneeze guards

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Protection from Contamination

NYC DOHMH Guidelines → CDC Food Safety Reference →

Which Boroughs See Violation 06C Most?

Manhattan

7,511 citations

Queens

5,883 citations

Brooklyn

5,187 citations

Bronx

1,419 citations

Staten Island

608 citations

21 citations

Restaurants Cited for Violation 06C (20,573 total)

STARBUCKS

50 LEXINGTON AVENUE, Manhattan

Apr 10, 2026

Score: 33

MAY REE

58 EAST 1 STREET, Manhattan

Apr 10, 2026

Score: 23

TULCINGO

40-11 82 STREET, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 10, 2026

Score: 10

WA LUNG KITCHEN

557 GRAND STREET, Manhattan

GRADE Z

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 7

MARTINIELLO'S IV PIZZERIA

22-49 COLLEGE POINT BOULEVARD, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 5

THREE BROTHER'S PIZZERIA

109-01 GUY R BREWER BOULEVARD, Queens

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 15

HAMA

11 WEST 51 STREET, Manhattan

GRADE N

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 28

DUNKIN

155 WEST 35 STREET, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 8

CARVEL

116-10 LIBERTY AVENUE, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 7

CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR

109-08 LIBERTY AVENUE, Queens

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 63

HOMEMADE TAQUERIA

999 COLUMBUS AVENUE, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 10

HONG KONG KITCHEN

109-16 MERRICK BOULEVARD, Queens

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 17

SEOUL SWEETS

308 5 AVENUE, Manhattan

Apr 9, 2026

SIPSTERIA

774 AMSTERDAM AVENUE, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 9

El Super Tipico Restaurant

2933 FULTON STREET, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 13

CURRY IN HANDI

443 BUSHWICK AVENUE, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 10

LOK HIN

299 BROOK AVENUE, Bronx

GRADE A

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 8

POKE BOWL

333 7 AVENUE, Manhattan

GRADE N

Apr 9, 2026

Score: 27

FRIEND OF A FARMER

77 IRVING PLACE, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 8

JOE COFFEE

405 WEST 23 STREET, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 8

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Violation 06C: Frequently Asked Questions

What is violation 06C in NYC restaurants?: All food must be protected from contamination during storage, prep, display and service
How serious is violation 06C?: Critical violation. Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants
How many NYC restaurants have been cited for violation 06C?: 20,573 NYC restaurant inspections have included violation 06C, representing 18.6% of all inspections with violations.
Which borough has the most violation 06C citations?: Manhattan has the highest number of violation 06C citations among NYC boroughs.
What must a restaurant do to fix violation 06C?: Cover all food; store 6 inches off floor; protect from customer contamination; use sneeze guards
Is violation 06C a critical violation?: Yes, violation 06C is a critical violation. Critical violations pose the most serious risk to public health and must be corrected immediately.