Last year, the city Health Department unveiled its newest initiative—health inspection letter grades for restaurants. On Monday, the city celebrated the one-year anniversary of the system, which officials say have been a roaring success.
“On this one-year anniversary of restaurant grading, I am proud to say that the system is working for customers and restaurants,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
Bloomberg marked the occasion by visiting Spark’s Deli in Long Island City—the first establishment to receive an “A” grade. Under the new system, the Health Department inspects a restaurant, and depending on the number of health violations found restaurants are given an “A,” “B” or “C” grade.
Under the new system, the letter grades must be visibly displayed at the entrance of the restaurant. Owners can challenge the city’s findings and receive a “Grade Pending” marking until an appeal and further inspections is conducted.
Joe DeCandia, owner of Lenny’s Clam Bar in Howard Beach, said the new system still has some flaws.
“It’s great to get an ‘A’ because the public perception is that you’re the best. You’re clean. You’re doing everything right.” However, DeCandia said that as much as credit is assigned to an ‘A’ rated establishment, there may be a great deal of misconception over lower grades.
“If someone gets a C, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have roaches and mice or that their chicken has salmonella,” DeCandia said, noting that that C ratings can be given for a number of other violations like not enough soap in the dispenser or paper towels not located within a certain distance of the bathroom or one employee without their hair net on.
DeCandia is not the only A rated restaurant owner that has serious doubts about the effectiveness of the system. Nick Agola owns Sofia Pizza on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park and said that his “A” rating always hangs in the balance.
“The public has to be made aware that an owner can get a bad rating or get closed down for other things than horrible unsanitary conditions,” Agola said. He takes his rating very seriously and goes to great lengths to make sure every code is met. “But there’s nothing you can do if an inspector comes through the door at the height of lunch and a refrigerator goes down,” Agola continued.
According to a survey conducted for the city by Baruch College, 90 percent of New Yorkers approve of the program.
“We had two goals with letter grading: to give customers information that they want as they make their dining choices and to provide an incentive for restaurants to achieve the best food safety practices,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. “The survey results and the inspection results tell me that we are making progress toward both of those goals.”
Re-inspections are also a key factor. Restaurants that do not receive an “A” are examined again one month later. The city says this encourages owners to improve safety measures at their restaurants. According to the city’s one-year report on the system, 38 percent of restaurants receiving a “B” improve to an “A” grade, and 72 percent of restaurants receiving a “C” improve to a “B” or “A” grade.
The city provided further incentives for restaurants to improve. Those that receive an “A” are relieved of minor health code violation fines.
“Not only has the city made restaurants cleaner, safer and more transparent for customers, but the fine relief has saved 8,000 restaurant owners about $3 million,” Bloomberg said.
Nearly 90 percent of city restaurants have been inspected: 69 percent have an “A,” 15 percent have a “B,” 4 percent have a “C” and 12 percent are posting a “Grade Pending” sign.
“The restaurant grading system has brought increased cleanliness to our eateries and greater accountability to the city’s health inspections,” said State Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria). “One year after its implementation, we can declare this policy a success and look for ways to enhance its effectiveness even further.”
Those wishing to learn more about inspection scores of restaurants can visit NYC.gov or call 311.
by Eric Yun
