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
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
0
21 citations
Restaurants Cited for Violation 06C (20,573 total)
COTTI COFFEE/VIVI TEA/MD FRIED CHICKEN
314 BEDFORD AVENUE, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 12
COTTI COFFEE/VIVI TEA/MD FRIED CHICKEN
314 BEDFORD AVENUE, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 12
QUEENS BUFFET & CAJUN SEAFOOD
90-10 ATLANTIC AVENUE, Queens
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 26
PAN RICO AMBATENO BAKERY
198 WYCKOFF AVENUE, Brooklyn
GRADE Z
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 48
NOCHES DE COLOMBIA
200 BAYCHESTER AVENUE, Bronx
GRADE Z
Apr 7, 2026
Score: 30
DUNKIN',' BASKIN ROBBINS
150-29 CROSSBAY BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 8
ITTADI GARDEN & GRILL
73-07 37 ROAD, Queens
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 48
SWEETBEE COFFEE
1039A FULTON STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 11
BROOKLYN ROASTING COMPANY
543 METROPOLITAN AVE, Brooklyn
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 40
LA HACIENDA AL ZAPOTE
150-59 34 AVENUE, Queens
CLOSED
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 53
A'MORE CAFFE
126 W 25TH ST, Manhattan
GRADE A
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 12
REEF ALYEMEN RESTAURANT
655 MORRIS PARK AVENUE, Bronx
GRADE A
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 12
LONG KIN THAI KITCHEN & BAR
500 PROSPECT PLACE, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 9
SALVO'S
66-01 FOREST AVENUE, Queens
GRADE Z
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 25
CHAHALO
79 MOTT STREET, Manhattan
CLOSED
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 136
RESTAURANT ASSOCIATES(1285 MARKETS)
1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, Manhattan
GRADE N
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 8
ORA LA CASA DE LAS FLORES
401 WEST 24 STREET, Manhattan
GRADE N
Apr 6, 2026
Score: 38
LA CABANA
39-17 103 STREET, Queens
Apr 4, 2026
Score: 44
OSTERIA SANTINA
502 JEWETT AVE, Staten Island
Apr 4, 2026
Score: 29
MARRIOTT MARQUIS - Main Kitchen
1535 BROADWAY, Manhattan
GRADE A
Apr 3, 2026
Score: 13
Related Food Protection Violations
04H
Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated
Critical
6,869 cited
04J
NYC Health Code Violation 04J
Critical
2,715 cited
04O
NYC Health Code Violation 04O
Critical
461 cited
04F
NYC Health Code Violation 04F
Critical
247 cited
04E
Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamin...
Critical
202 cited
04P
Food containing a prohibited substance held, kept, offered, prepared, process...
Critical
160 cited
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.