NEW YORK (WPIX)—
Besides checking out specials posted in the windows of most New York City eateries, customers may soon want to take note of large letter grades summarizing the results of Health Department food-safety inspections.The grades are based on a new initiative approved by the city Board of Health Tuesday. The plan approved 6-2 gives restaurants that receive grades lower than an A time to improve their sanitary conditions before they have to post anything.
For those specific eateries, health officials will return within a month to launch a second inspection, and the second grade will be posted unless the restaurant owner contests it.. City street food vendors are not included under the new restrictions.
"New York City restaurants are among the world's best, and these simple reforms will make them even better," said Dr. Thomas Farley, New York City Health Commissioner. "Giving consumers more information will help make our restaurants safer and cleaner. The grade in the window will give you a sense of how clean the kitchen is - and it will give every restaurant operator an incentive to maintain safe, sanitary conditions."
However, Bruce Vladeck, an expert on health care policy and financing, is opposed to the idea and called the system "misguided" and "intellectually coherent."
Each year, the Health Department inspects 24,000 restaurants to make sure they are in compliance with the city's health codes. Officials say most establishments maintain good or excellent conditions.
The Health Department already posts restaurant inspection reports on its website. Each report includes a numerical score reflecting the number and severity of sanitary violations documented. However, under the new plan, the grades will now appear at the restaurants so patrons can physically see it for themselves.
City officials say the ultimate goal is to improve sanitary conditions and reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
Other cities in the nation already have a similar ratings system in place, while others are mulling over the idea.
Last year, a bill was introduced in Washington D.C. to require them in restaurants, and Los Angeles has been posting public grades in eateries for years.
