Food contact surface improperly constructed — NYC Health Violation 09C
Violation code 09C flags food contact surfaces—cutting boards, counters, utensils, and equipment that touch ready-to-eat food—that are rough, porous, or difficult to clean properly. These defects create cracks and crevices where harmful bacteria can hide and multiply, and they cannot be effectively sanitized even with proper cleaning procedures. This is a major violation under NYC DOHMH standards because contaminated surfaces are a direct pathway to foodborne illness; the violation has been cited 4,813 times across the city, most frequently in Manhattan.
What is Violation 09C?
Food contact surfaces must be smooth, non-porous, and easily cleanable
Use stainless steel, approved plastics; no wood except cutting boards; smooth, intact surfaces
CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Protection from Contamination
Which Boroughs See Violation 09C Most?
Restaurants Cited for Violation 09C (4,813 total)
Related Equipment Violations
Violation 09C: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is violation 09C in NYC restaurants?
- Food contact surfaces must be smooth, non-porous, and easily cleanable
- How serious is violation 09C?
- Major violation. Improper surfaces harbor bacteria in cracks and cannot be properly sanitized
- How many NYC restaurants have been cited for violation 09C?
- 4,813 NYC restaurant inspections have included violation 09C, representing 4.35% of all inspections with violations.
- Which borough has the most violation 09C citations?
- Manhattan has the highest number of violation 09C citations among NYC boroughs.
- What must a restaurant do to fix violation 09C?
- Use stainless steel, approved plastics; no wood except cutting boards; smooth, intact surfaces
- Is violation 09C a critical violation?
- No, violation 09C is classified as a major violation. However, all violations must be corrected to maintain a passing health grade.