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)
SERANO BAKERY
35-14 30 AVENUE, Queens
GRADE N
Jan 12, 2026
Score: 31
SERANO BAKERY
35-14 30 AVENUE, Queens
GRADE N
Jan 12, 2026
Score: 31
BIRCH COFFEE
56 7 AVENUE, Manhattan
Jan 9, 2026
Score: 18
SEI LESS
158 WEST 38 STREET, Manhattan
GRADE N
Jan 9, 2026
Score: 38
ANDO PATISSERIE
174 CONSELYEA STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE N
Jan 9, 2026
Score: 30
BANC BAR & CAFE
431 3 AVENUE, Manhattan
GRADE A
Jan 8, 2026
Score: 12
DUZAN
24-15 STEINWAY STREET, Queens
GRADE A
Jan 8, 2026
Score: 6
PIKI POKE & RAMEN
147 SMITH STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE N
Jan 8, 2026
Score: 37
PIKI POKE & RAMEN
147 SMITH STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE N
Jan 8, 2026
Score: 37
PIKI POKE & RAMEN
147 SMITH STREET, Brooklyn
GRADE N
Jan 8, 2026
Score: 37
ORIENT EXPRESS
325 WEST 11 STREET, Manhattan
GRADE A
Jan 7, 2026
Score: 12
FEI MA
79 AVENUE A, Manhattan
GRADE A
Jan 7, 2026
Score: 4
LULU'S COFFEE SHOP
1191 CASTLE HILL AVENUE, Bronx
GRADE A
Jan 6, 2026
Score: 9
CHECKERS
122-21 MERRICK BOULEVARD, Queens
Jan 5, 2026
Score: 33
DOMINO'S
131-31 MERRICK BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Jan 5, 2026
Score: 13
NOOK
45 IRVING AVENUE, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Jan 5, 2026
Score: 5
SHANGHAI
95-37 SUTPHIN BOULEVARD, Queens
GRADE A
Jan 2, 2026
Score: 13
STARBUCKS
4 COLUMBUS CIRCLE, Manhattan
GRADE A
Dec 31, 2025
Score: 8
HAMILTON'S
2826 FORT HAMILTON PARKWAY, Brooklyn
GRADE A
Dec 31, 2025
Score: 12
CAPY
92-11 JAMAICA AVENUE, Queens
GRADE A
Dec 31, 2025
Score: 11
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.