How many times do you go into a restaurant without checking its sanitation record? I am definitely guilty of this and have to admit that I don’t even think about it. If a restaurant is dirty once I go in I will leave but I never check beforehand what their violation history is. The NY City Department of Health is about to make it easier for diners. Starting at the end of the month a new letter grading system is going to be implemented. Every restaurant will be required to post a sign in their window with their current letter grade given to them after an inspection by the DOH. The grades will range from A to C with an A being the highest score. You can read more about it here at the DOH website. Los Angeles has had this system in place for more than a decade and they have seen a significant reduction in food borne illnesses since its implementation. There is an element of shaming built into this system. The hope is that no restaurant owner will want a big C in their window so they will strive to keep the restaurant clean and follow the DOH rules more carefully. What do you think- will this help NYC restaurants maintain a healthy establishment? Would you eat at a restaurant with a C grade?
