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)

NIZZA

628 9 AVENUE, Manhattan

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 34

THE JUNCTION

329 LEXINGTON AVENUE, Manhattan

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 21

DUNKIN

69-06 ROOSEVELT AVENUE, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 11

PIZZA DAMORE

208 BEACH 116 STREET, Queens

GRADE Z

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 32

SANTA ANA RESTAURANT

187 IRVING AVENUE, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 13

ANGELOS PIZZERIA

1092 FLATBUSH AVENUE, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 13

BUFFALO WILD WINGS

1447 RICHMOND AVENUE, Staten Island

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 10

BROOKLYN PUTNAM ARMORY

570 PUTNAM AVENUE, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 12

FOUNTAIN HOUSE AND BODY

698 10 AVENUE, Manhattan

GRADE N

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 48

UMAMI ASIAN WOK AND NOODLE

270 PARK AVENUE, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 7

DUNKIN'

81-08 BROADWAY, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 10

DUNKIN'

81-08 BROADWAY, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 10

DUNKIN'

81-08 BROADWAY, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 10

DUNKIN'

81-08 BROADWAY, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 10

DUNKIN'

81-08 BROADWAY, Queens

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 10

JUST SALAD

485 LEXINGTON AVENUE, Manhattan

GRADE A

Apr 1, 2026

Score: 13

GOLDEN PUNJAB INDIAN RESTAURANT

130-02 101 AVENUE, Queens

Mar 31, 2026

Score: 39

SOPHIE'S

507 EAST 5 STREET, Manhattan

GRADE A

Mar 31, 2026

Score: 13

SUBWAY

3102 AVENUE U, Brooklyn

GRADE A

Mar 31, 2026

Score: 9

BRASSERIE TOAST CAFE

968 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, Manhattan

GRADE Z

Mar 31, 2026

Score: 27

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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.