This week, The New York City Health Department has issued hundreds of violations to restaurants failing to post a letter grade reflecting the result of an inspection. More than 800 violations have been issued for not displaying a grade, or putting it in a place where patrons can’t spot it easily. The grading system was started last July and about three-quarters of the city’s more than 24,000 restaurants have been inspected. The rest must post a “Grade Pending” sign.
An A, B or C reflects cleanliness, food safety and other requirements such as number of sinks. The Health Department conducts unannounced inspections of restaurants at least once a year. Inspectors check for compliance in food handling, food temperature, personal hygiene and vermin control.
Each violation of a regulation earns a certain number of points. At the end of the inspection, the inspector totals the points, and this number is the restaurant’s inspection score, the lower the score, the better. An inspection score of 0-13 is an A, 14-27 points is a B, and 28 or more points is a C. Grade cards must be posted where they can easily be seen by people passing by.
The following disclaimer appears on the department’s Web site regarding inspection data:
“As a result of an inspection, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene may issue violations to the establishment. Owners have the opportunity to dispute these violations at the Department’s Administrative Tribunal, except when there are only general violations that result in fewer than 14 points. In these instances the violations must be corrected, but are not heard at the Administrative Tribunal. The information presented here may reflect inspections that have not yet been adjudicated.”
Americans dine out frequently due to their rushed schedules, and while it makes for a nice treat every once in a while doing so also means facing considerable health risks as well. Whether the effects settle in the present or the future, they still have considerable impact on their overall well-being. Sanitation, allergy, infections, and additives both intentional and unintentional can all lurk undetected in restaurant food, waiting for unsuspecting consumers to chomp down so they can spread their ugliness further.
Most restaurant trips, of course, will not result in a traumatic experience of explosive diarrhea or potential injury. But patrons still need to be made aware of the possible dangers that exist when dining at restaurants, no matter if they be dive or five stars.
The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) which originally opposed the new grading system in 2010, also alerts their members that there is a scam being conducted which involves a phony government official calling restaurants and falsely claiming to be a health department inspector. The phony official will often ask to collect specific information (Ids, account numbers, etc.) from the restaurant and notify the recipient that they will receive an inspection in the coming weeks. NYSRA is unaware of any follow up inspection ever occurring.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH) inspections are conducted in person and an owner/manager may always ask to see an inspector’s ID and badge.
Sources: The New York City Department of Health and The New York State Restaurant Association
Written by Sy Kraft