Major Violation
Code 10H
NYC Health Code §81.21
Sanitization not provided for utensil washing — NYC Health Violation 10H
Overview
Violation code 10H involves failure to sanitize utensils after washing, allowing bacteria to survive on equipment that directly contacts food and customers' mouths. This major violation has been cited 4,263 times across NYC since inspections began, with Manhattan accounting for the highest number of cases. Proper sanitization—through hot water, chemical sanitizers, or commercial equipment—is essential to prevent foodborne illness transmission and is a core requirement of NYC DOHMH food safety standards.
4,263
Times Cited in NYC
3.85%
of Inspections
Major
Severity Level
Manhattan
Most Common Borough
What is Violation 10H?
Utensils must be properly sanitized after washing to kill remaining bacteria
What restaurants must do to fix this
Use approved sanitizer at correct concentration; test strips required; proper contact time
CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Protection from Contamination
Which Boroughs See Violation 10H Most?
Manhattan
1,673 citations
Queens
1,116 citations
Brooklyn
1,073 citations
Bronx
218 citations
Staten Island
177 citations
0
7 citations
Restaurants Cited for Violation 10H (4,263 total)
DOS TOROS
200 VESEY STREET, Manhattan
GRADE A
Dec 19, 2025
Score: 7
DOS TOROS
200 VESEY STREET, Manhattan
GRADE A
Dec 19, 2025
Score: 7
HERBALIFE PROTEIN STOP
49-04 JUNCTION BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Dec 19, 2025
Score: 12
HERBALIFE PROTEIN STOP
49-04 JUNCTION BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Dec 19, 2025
Score: 12
HERBALIFE PROTEIN STOP
49-04 JUNCTION BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Dec 19, 2025
Score: 12
STEPHANIE'S MEXICAN BAKERY
37-56 108 STREET, Queens
Dec 18, 2025
STEPHANIE'S MEXICAN BAKERY
37-56 108 STREET, Queens
Dec 18, 2025
STEPHANIE'S MEXICAN BAKERY
37-56 108 STREET, Queens
Dec 18, 2025
ROSE VALLEY CAKES
134-03 LIBERTY AVENUE, Queens
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 27
ROSE VALLEY CAKES
134-03 LIBERTY AVENUE, Queens
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 27
ROSE VALLEY CAKES
134-03 LIBERTY AVENUE, Queens
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 27
TEXAS CHICKEN AND BURGERS
120-20 QUEENS BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 12
TEXAS CHICKEN AND BURGERS
120-20 QUEENS BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 12
TEXAS CHICKEN AND BURGERS
120-20 QUEENS BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 12
BIG WONG RESTAURANT
135 NORTH 5 STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE Z
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 39
BIG WONG RESTAURANT
135 NORTH 5 STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE Z
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 39
BIG WONG RESTAURANT
135 NORTH 5 STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE Z
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 39
KNOCK OUT CAFE
530 EAST 13 STREET, Manhattan
CLOSED
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 133
KNOCK OUT CAFE
530 EAST 13 STREET, Manhattan
CLOSED
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 133
KNOCK OUT CAFE
530 EAST 13 STREET, Manhattan
CLOSED
Dec 18, 2025
Score: 133
Related Cleaning & Sanitization Violations
Violation 10H: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is violation 10H in NYC restaurants?
- Utensils must be properly sanitized after washing to kill remaining bacteria
- How serious is violation 10H?
- Major violation. Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths
- How many NYC restaurants have been cited for violation 10H?
- 4,263 NYC restaurant inspections have included violation 10H, representing 3.85% of all inspections with violations.
- Which borough has the most violation 10H citations?
- Manhattan has the highest number of violation 10H citations among NYC boroughs.
- What must a restaurant do to fix violation 10H?
- Use approved sanitizer at correct concentration; test strips required; proper contact time
- Is violation 10H a critical violation?
- No, violation 10H is classified as a major violation. However, all violations must be corrected to maintain a passing health grade.