NYC DOHMH Cites Pizza Hut Queens for Missing Manager Food Protection Certificate

A New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection record dated Jan. 21, 2026 found the Pizza Hut at 84-23 37th Ave in Queens had a critical violation because a manager or supervisor lacked the required Food Protection Certificate (FPC). The inspection also noted noncritical problems with non-food-contact surfaces that were not properly cleanable or maintained.

The DOHMH entry on Jan. 21, 2026 flags a clear compliance and managerial training gap. Food Protection Certificates are a mandated credential for managers who supervise food handling and safety in New York City, and the absence of a certified manager can affect a location’s legal ability to operate and the responsibilities assigned to staff on the line and in front-of-house. The inspection record places the missing FPC at the center of the agency’s concerns for the Queens store.

Inspectors listed the FPC omission as a critical violation, signaling that the issue relates directly to public health and requires prompt corrective action. The inspection also recorded noncritical findings involving non-food-contact surfaces that inspectors judged not properly cleanable or maintained. While those noncritical items do not carry the same immediate hazard designation as a missing FPC, they reflect lapses in housekeeping and equipment upkeep that can complicate daily operations for cooks, prep staff, and shift supervisors.

For workers at the 84-23 37th Ave location the implications are practical and immediate. Without a certified manager on duty, employees may face uncertainty about who can make compliance decisions, run corrective training, or sign off on reopening steps if the DOHMH issues further directives. Line cooks and crew assigned to prep or deli stations rely on certified managerial oversight to ensure temperature controls, cross-contamination prevention, and cleaning protocols are followed and documented. A training gap at the managerial level can increase on-shift stress, slow down service, and create exposure to regulatory follow-up actions.

The citation underscores the importance of certified training in quick-serve kitchens where turnover and shift coverage can leave gaps in qualifications. For managers at the Queens Pizza Hut, obtaining the required FPC and addressing noncritical maintenance items will be necessary to demonstrate compliance to inspectors. For employees, the finding is a reminder to confirm that managerial credentials are current and that daily cleaning and maintenance protocols are being enforced.

Follow-up by the DOHMH will determine whether the store corrects the violations to the agency’s satisfaction. In the meantime, the inspection record serves as a prompt for Pizza Hut managers and staff to reaffirm training, document corrective steps, and prioritize the certifications and upkeep that keep kitchens compliant and shifts running smoothly.