Thawing procedure improper — NYC Health Violation 09B
Violation 09B — improper thawing procedures — is a major food safety violation that occurs when frozen foods are not thawed using approved methods, such as refrigeration, running water, or cooking. Improper thawing allows surface bacteria to multiply rapidly while interior portions remain frozen, creating conditions for foodborne illness pathogens like Listeria and Salmonella to proliferate. Since 2012, NYC DOHMH inspectors have cited this violation 3,203 times across the city, most frequently in Queens, reflecting its prevalence in restaurant food preparation.
What is Violation 09B?
Frozen foods must be thawed using approved methods to prevent bacterial growth
Thaw under refrigeration, under cold running water, in microwave, or as part of cooking
CDC Risk Factor: Improper Holding/Time & Temperature
Which Boroughs See Violation 09B Most?
Restaurants Cited for Violation 09B (3,203 total)
Violation 09B: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is violation 09B in NYC restaurants?
- Frozen foods must be thawed using approved methods to prevent bacterial growth
- How serious is violation 09B?
- Major violation. Improper thawing allows surface bacteria to multiply while interior remains frozen
- How many NYC restaurants have been cited for violation 09B?
- 3,203 NYC restaurant inspections have included violation 09B, representing 2.9% of all inspections with violations.
- Which borough has the most violation 09B citations?
- Queens has the highest number of violation 09B citations among NYC boroughs.
- What must a restaurant do to fix violation 09B?
- Thaw under refrigeration, under cold running water, in microwave, or as part of cooking
- Is violation 09B a critical violation?
- No, violation 09B is classified as a major violation. However, all violations must be corrected to maintain a passing health grade.