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DEL.ICIO.USWhat do you think of using letter grades to score restaurants?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As of today, health inspectors across Georgia (except Fulton — more on that later) will be using a new checklist in performing restaurant inspections. The rule changes also include a new scoring system, which adds letter grades to the familiar numerical ones.
The new rules are designed to take off more points for conditions that could cause foodborne illness, and fewer points for things that might be unappetizing, such as a dirty dining room, but not as much of a health hazard.
For consumers, the most visible changes will be the letter grades, and where they’re posted. As inspectors make their rounds, visiting all the restaurants on their lists over the next six months, they’ll be checking to make sure that inspection forms are posted in drive-through windows as well as within 15 feet of a restaurant’s entrance, where forms must be readable from one foot away. (The idea is you can check a place out before ordering or committing to a table.)
As of today, the posting rules take effect, even on old forms. So you should be reminded much more prominently of a restaurant’s cleanliness. Do you look for these scores when you dine? Before you dine? Have you ever changed your mind about eating somewhere after seeing an inspection score?
Fulton, by the way, is planning on adopting the state code early next year. It’s the only health department in Georgia that can write its own codes. Want to know what’s going on in the other counties? Check out these links to their Environmental Health departments, where the inspection scores are posted online.
Cobb/Douglas. Click on environmental health in the left menu and then follow the pull-down menus.
Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment | Categories: Food safety
Comments
By Good
December 3, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Good, and require them to post the reports right at the front door!!
By Anne
December 3, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
The link for Cobb/Douglas is incorrect. It is cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org.
By KyGirl
December 3, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
You had better believe I look at those scores. If a restaurant has nothing to hide, they won’t have any qualms about posting their scores where they can be seen by the public. If you don’t see them, ask. If they hum haw around, call the Environmental Health Dept. of your county and report them for breaking the law. You have a right to know because it’s your health on the line if they are not adhering to the cleanliness and safety standards.
By T
December 3, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Yes, I absolutely look for scores when I go to restaurants, esp. sit-down establishments. I’ve had more than a couple people tell me upon my inquiry, that they didn’t know what I was talking about (mostly foreigners pretending not to understand my English) and I subsequently scooted on out the door.
By Chef A
December 3, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Yes, the rules and regulations are MUCH more strict—and they should be! If you don’t read a Health Inspection before eating, you’re basically risking a Foodborne Illness… We had a 3 hour meeting with our local Health Department to go over all of the recent changes. I’m SO glad they’re doing this!!!
By noyellowinthisblood
December 3, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
As a former restaurant owner I am glad to see the stricter rules. The old system was a joke. If you do not look at the grade you are doing yourself an injustice.
By Mandy
December 3, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
I avoid restaurants at all costs!!!
About the only time we go to a restaurant is when we are on vacation, and usually it’s a local establishment. We like to go where the locals go, and dine at Mom & Pop places, off the beaten track. We DO NOT eat at chain restaurants at all. We love to cook and try new recipes..
By John in Tampa, FLA
December 3, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
I always try to steer clear of restaurants that have an ambulance out front.
By jess
December 3, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
I religiously read health scores and have left many, including well known, restaurants after reading a score that I consider unacceptable. Any restaurant that does not have their health inspection form, and score, prominently displayed receives a quick view of my back as I exit. I won’t ask to see the score because the law states that it should be in plain view. If it’s not, I consider that they are breaking the law and obviously have something to hide. * BTW: Any score below 96 is what I consider unacceptable.*
By JS
December 3, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
Restaurant scores are not really accurate as they are influenced by the health inspector’s mood, relationship with the establishment (friend, foe, etc..) and experience level.
I think an update of the current checklist is a very good idea but the score is not going to be as accurate as some people may think.
Also, to those people that are so attached to the scoring, you are more likely to get sick from your own home cooking than you are at a restaurant. The standards are already extremely high and I bet very few people can match those standards at home. (How many people wash their hands twice in 110 degree water for 20 seconds between handling different foods? for example.)
Use them as a guideline but if you know your establishment (you are a regular) and are not comfortable about the score..take the time to ask about it rather than rush to judgment. You would be amazed at how many things will take points off that has nothing to do with kitchen cleanliness (cracked dumpster lid, 5 points for example)
Also, request a copy of the standards at the local health department. You will be shocked of all the things you currently do [at home] that would be a score lowering violation.
By Ken
December 3, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
They have used the “Letter” grade system in Los Angeles for years now, and it works well. Now that i have moved back to Atlanta, I am glad to see this change..
By William Renner
December 3, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
I am a restaurant owner currently about to be held to the new regs. It is challenging but as the above blogger said you are more likely to get sick in your own kitchen because most people don’t understand cross contamination or temperature danger zones. I will do my best as a restaurant owner and you do your best in your own kitchen and we’ll both be better for it.
By TC
December 3, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Mandy: I guess you don’t think “local establishments” and “mom and pop places” can have unsafe conditions as well.
Wow! You are brilliant.
By TC
December 3, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Mandy: I guess you don’t think “local establishments” and “mom and pop places” can have unsafe conditions as well.
Wow! You are brilliant.
I guess that comes from never eating out.
By Tina
December 3, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
I agree with JS’ post. Points can be taken off for things that are not necessarily food related (i.e a cracked dumpster lid). With how the posted reports look to the regular consumer you really can’t tell why the points were deducted. You just see the total score. I think a letter grading scale will be more helpful to the consumer.
By D
December 3, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
After watching Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, why would anyone want to eat out?
By DO
December 3, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Mandy, have you seen Kitchen Nightmares? All of the restaurants are mom and pop establishments. Watch that show and you’ll never want to eat out again at any restaurant!!!
By henrycrapeater
December 3, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Why do you no longer post scores for Henry county restaurants? Did they threated law suits because you reported the crap that they were serving?
By DO
December 3, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
Mandy, have you seen Kitchen Nightmares? All of the restaurants are mom and pop establishments. Watch that show and you’ll never want to eat out again at any restaurant!!!
By Don Vito
December 3, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
This is mostly foolishness, esp. the comment “I avoid restaurants at all costs!” Great… why don’t you just lock yourself in a dark closet until you die and we’ll slip bread under the door.
I eat out every week in every imaginable place. I do the same internationally, having recently spent time in Tokyo, Munich & Barcelona. I’ve found an inverse relationship between the food experience and the western notion of cleanliness… the more sanitized and inspected the food, the worse it is and less authentic.
Just trust the locals and ask around. I’ve been doing for 10+ years… never once gotten sick once.
By lucky
December 3, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
I usually lower the health department score two letters. So if the HD gives them an A I assume it is a C. Most Health Inspectors are too nice with thier ratings. I know.
By Mandy
December 3, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
TC Thank you for the nice comment about my brillancy……some people just love to attack other bloggers…..do you have anything worthwhile to contribute to this topic?
Merry Christmas!!!
By Mandy
December 3, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
So Don Vito what’s wrong with enjoying cooking at home? I am saving tons of money, and my husband and kids and I all enjoy being in the kitchen together, preparing our meals.
There is nothing sexier than a man who knows his way around a kitchen.
Dining out is expensive, and it’s not good for you at all. The restaurants serve unhealthy portions, and are extremely expensive. My ex-sister-in-law hates to cook, so she and her kids dine out every single meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner. She spends approximately $350/week by dining out. I can feed my family of 5 for less than $150/week, three meals a day. I cook breakfast every morning, we each pack a lunch, and we cook dinner together. My kids are learning to cook and love coming up with new recipes.
We love to find new recipes, and shop and prepare the food together. I would rather hear about my husband and kids’ days in our kitchen or at OUR dining room table, not some noisy smelly restaurant.
By Big Tickles
December 3, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
It is about time! I have been traveling to California for years and those grades are CLEARLY posted on the FRONT WINDOW of the establishments. You do not have to read a grade sheet or try to find the report like in GA.
Georgia and all other states need this system. It is clear and leaves no room for guess work.
By Rodney
December 5, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
I’m SO convinced Mandy is merely Cyndi under an alias -