How are restaurant grades determined?
Each establishment that has a restaurant permit must be evaluated by an environmental health specialist (EHS)from the health department. The EHS makes an unannounced inspection to evaluate the restaurant for compliance with the regulations. The focus of the inspection is to ensure that the operation is practicing safe food preparation methods including refrigeration temperatures (45 degrees or less), hot-holding temperatures (135 degrees or more), cooking temperatures and cooling methods, food worker hygiene (hand washing), and safe food sources. Any rule violations are summarized on an inspection sheet, and an overall score is computed. A perfect score is 100 percent. However, if the restaurant has a manager on site that has completed an approved training course and has passed a test, the restaurant may be granted an additional 2 points. The inspection grades are then posted for public viewing at the establishment and can also be seen on the Internet.
