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)

WIMPYS RESTAURANT

23 EAST 109 STREET, Manhattan

GRADE Z

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 33

IRISH WHISKEY BAR

28-48 31 STREET, Queens

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 26

EL POLLO ENCHILADO

1869 EAST 3 STREET, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 12

NEW WOKS KITCHEN

60-06 KISSENA BOULEVARD, Queens

GRADE Z

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 36

CODINO

62 CARMINE STREET, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 13

CHARM BAR

448 DEAN STREET, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 11

LUIGI'S PIZZA

1049 BRIGHTON BEACH AVE, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 13

JUANCHO VALEZ COFFEE

79-06 37TH AVE, Queens

GRADE N

Apr 8, 2026

Score: 25

TARALLUCCI E VINO

44 EAST 28 STREET, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 9

HUG ESAN

77-16 WOODSIDE AVENUE, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 9

MIRAJ HEALTHY GRILL

120 EAST 34 STREET, Manhattan

GRADE Z

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 20

TB COFFEE HOUSE

578 MYRTLE AVENUE, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 7

AFFICIONADO COFFEE ROASTERS

750 11 AVENUE, Manhattan

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 21

KEUR AISHA SANTE YALLAH AFRICAN RESTAURANT

1460 BOSTON ROAD, Bronx

GRADE Z

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 36

CAFE 1792

200 LIBERTY STREET, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 13

HI SUNNY

342 7 AVENUE, Manhattan

GRADE N

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 22

12 MATCHA

54 BOND STREET, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 9

THE RIPPLE ROOM

183 BOWERY, Manhattan

GRADE N

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 19

GO BAGELS

181 GRAND STREET, Manhattan

GRADE N

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 48

PARK AT KIMS

119 ELIZABETH STREET, Manhattan

GRADE N

Apr 7, 2026

Score: 64

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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.