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)

AVENITA DINER

83-23 PARSONS BOULEVARD, Queens

Apr 3, 2026

Score: 28

DUNKIN'

40-08 BELL BOULEVARD, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 3, 2026

Score: 5

RICO'S CHICKEN POLLOS A LA BRASA

146-04 45 AVENUE, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 3, 2026

Score: 13

R40

47-16 VERNON BOULEVARD, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 3, 2026

Score: 8

FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES

2159 RALPH AVE, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 3, 2026

Score: 9

CAFE HERE

499 VAN BRUNT STREET, Brooklyn

GRADE N

Apr 3, 2026

Score: 117

CAFE HERE

499 VAN BRUNT STREET, Brooklyn

GRADE N

Apr 3, 2026

Score: 117

DUNKIN', BASKIN ROBBINS

84-13 JAMAICA AVENUE, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 5

RIMINI PASTRY SHOPPE

6822 BAY PARKWAY, Brooklyn

GRADE Z

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 26

ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION

420 5 AVENUE, Manhattan

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 26

THE FAT CARDINAL PROVISIONS

196 BEACH 92 STREET, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 7

FLAM'S CUISINE & CATERING

215-07 JAMAICA AVENUE, Queens

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 20

IZAKAYA TORIBAR

164 EAST 56 STREET, Manhattan

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 28

DELICO

765 2 AVENUE, Manhattan

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 25

JOHNNY DELI & GROCERY

13207 JAMAICA AVE, Queens

Apr 2, 2026

LEO'S

104-19 JAMAICA AVENUE, Queens

GRADE Z

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 23

FRESH KITCHEN

265 MADISON AVENUE, Manhattan

GRADE Z

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 31

ROSALIA'S PIZZERIA

103-15 QUEENS BOULEVARD, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 8

NAWABI BHOJ

1257 FULTON STREET, Brooklyn

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 46

SIR HENRYS

795 8 AVENUE, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 2, 2026

Score: 12

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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.