Fix guides

How to fix health inspection violations

Step-by-step instructions for the most common FDA Food Code violations: what to fix, what the inspector rechecks, and how to make sure it stays fixed.

PPriority
PFPriority Foundation
CCore
P

Priority violations: fix within 24 to 72 hours

Direct foodborne illness risk. These get corrected first.

Employee Handwashing — Improper Procedure
FDA Food Code 2-301.12 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Bare-Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
FDA Food Code 3-301.11 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Cold-Hold Temperature Violation — Food Above 41°F
FDA Food Code 3-501.16(A)(2) · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Hot-Hold Temperature Violation — Food Below 135°F
FDA Food Code 3-501.16(A)(1) · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Improper Cooling of Cooked Food
FDA Food Code 3-501.14 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Cross-Contamination — Raw Animal Food Over Ready-to-Eat
FDA Food Code 3-302.11 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Handwashing Sink Inaccessible or Improperly Equipped
FDA Food Code 5-203.11 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Improper Sanitizer Concentration
FDA Food Code 4-501.114 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Flies in Food Prep or Service Area — Openings Not Protected
FDA Food Code 6-202.15 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Food-Contact Surfaces Not Sanitized Between Uses
FDA Food Code 4-601.11 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Improper Thawing of Raw Animal Food
FDA Food Code 3-501.13 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Improper Reheating of Food for Hot Holding
FDA Food Code 3-403.11 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Toxic Chemicals Stored Above or Near Food
FDA Food Code 7-201.11 · 24-72 hours (Priority)
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Insufficient Cooking Temperature
FDA Food Code 3-401.11 · Immediate correction (Priority)
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Reheating for Hot Holding — Insufficient Temperature
FDA Food Code 3-403.11 · Immediate correction (Priority)
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Food from Unapproved or Unregulated Source
FDA Food Code 3-201.11 · Immediate correction or discard (Priority)
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Improper Raw Meat Storage Order in Refrigerator
FDA Food Code 3-302.11 · Immediate correction (Priority)
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Warewashing — Insufficient Chemical Sanitization
FDA Food Code 4-501.114 · Immediate correction (Priority)
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No Soap at Handwashing Sink
FDA Food Code 6-301.11 · Immediate correction (Priority)
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Rodent Evidence — Droppings or Gnaw Marks
FDA Food Code 6-501.111 · 24–72 hours or immediate closure (Priority)
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Backflow Prevention Device Missing or Non-Functional
FDA Food Code 5-203.14 · 24–72 hours (Priority)
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Ice Used as Food Ingredient — Contamination Risk
FDA Food Code 3-303.11 · Immediate correction (Priority)
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Walk-In Cooler or Refrigerator Above 41 Degrees F
FDA Food Code 3-501.16 · Immediate — repair or transfer food (Priority)
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Toxic or Chemical Substances — Improper Use or Application
FDA Food Code 7-202.12 · Immediate correction (Priority)
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Food Received at Unsafe Temperature
FDA Food Code 3-202.11 · Immediate correction — reject or discard (Priority)
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PF

Priority Foundation: fix within 10 to 30 days

Procedures, certifications, and practices that underpin food safety.

No Certified Food Manager on Premises
FDA Food Code 2-102.12 · 10-30 days (Priority Foundation)
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Improper Date Marking on Ready-to-Eat Foods
FDA Food Code 3-501.17 · 10-30 days (Priority Foundation)
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No Employee Illness Policy
FDA Food Code 2-201.11 · 10-30 days (Priority Foundation)
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No Accurate Thermometer in Cold-Hold Unit
FDA Food Code 4-203.11 · 10-30 days (Priority Foundation)
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No Sanitizer Test Strips Available
FDA Food Code 4-302.14 · 10-30 days (Priority Foundation)
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Consumer Advisory Missing for Raw or Undercooked Animal Products
FDA Food Code 3-603.11 · 10-30 days (Priority Foundation)
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Mold or Slime in Ice Machine
FDA Food Code 4-601.11 · 10-30 days (Priority Foundation)
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Inadequate Plumbing — No Hot Water or Improper Backflow
FDA Food Code 5-101.11 · 10-30 days (Priority Foundation)
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Employee Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco in Food Area
FDA Food Code 2-401.11 · 10 days (Priority Foundation)
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Shellfish Tags Not Retained
FDA Food Code 3-203.12 · 10 days (Priority Foundation)
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Allergen Disclosure — Missing or Insufficient Consumer Advisory
FDA Food Code 3-602.11 · 10 days (Priority Foundation)
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Thermometer Not Calibrated or Inaccurate
FDA Food Code 4-502.11 · 10 days (Priority Foundation)
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Three-Compartment Sink — Improper Setup or Use
FDA Food Code 4-501.112 · 10 days (Priority Foundation)
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Food Handler Certification — Missing or Expired
FDA Food Code 2-103.11 · 10–30 days depending on jurisdiction (Priority Foundation)
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C

Core: fix within 30 to 90 days

Facility and equipment standards.

Employee Beverage Without Lid in Food Prep Area
FDA Food Code 2-401.11 · 30-90 days (Core)
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Cutting Boards Damaged and No Longer Cleanable
FDA Food Code 4-501.11 · 30-90 days (Core)
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Food Stored on the Floor
FDA Food Code 3-305.11 · 30-90 days (Core)
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Wiping Cloths Not Stored in Sanitizer Between Uses
FDA Food Code 3-304.14 · 30-90 days (Core)
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Health Permit Not Displayed
FDA Food Code 8-304.11 · 30-90 days (Core)
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Employee Not Wearing Hair Restraint
FDA Food Code 2-402.11 · 30-90 days (Core)
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Food Not Protected from Contamination — Uncovered in Storage
FDA Food Code 3-302.12 · 30-90 days (Core)
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Toxic Substances — Spray Bottles or Containers Not Labeled
FDA Food Code 7-101.11 · 30-90 days (Core)
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Refuse Area Not Clean — Grease or Trash Buildup
FDA Food Code 5-501.115 · 30-90 days (Core)
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Employee Wearing Jewelry During Food Preparation
FDA Food Code 2-303.11 · Immediate correction (Core)
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Ventilation Hood — Grease Buildup or Filters Not Cleaned
FDA Food Code 6-501.14 · 90 days (Core)
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Non-Food-Grade Containers or Surfaces in Contact with Food
FDA Food Code 4-101.11 · 90 days (Core)
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Garbage and Refuse Disposal — Improper Storage or Collection
FDA Food Code 5-501.15 · 90 days (Core)
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Inadequate Lighting in Food Prep or Storage Areas
FDA Food Code 6-303.11 · 90 days (Core)
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Mop Water Disposal — Improper Location or Method
FDA Food Code 5-501.116 · 90 days (Core)
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Food Not Labeled — Bulk or Packaged Items Missing Required Information
FDA Food Code 3-602.11 · 90 days (Core)
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Equipment Not Approved for Commercial Use
FDA Food Code 4-205.10 · 90 days (Core)
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Handwashing Sign Missing from Restroom or Food Prep Sink
FDA Food Code 6-301.14 · 90 days (Core)
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Utensils and Tableware Stored Incorrectly
FDA Food Code 4-904.11 · 90 days (Core)
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Fix guides are based on the FDA Food Code. Individual jurisdictions may have additional or different requirements. Always verify with your local health department.