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In New York City, the Health Department is responsible for inspecting and regulating food establishments to ensure that they meet health and safety standards. These inspections are designed to protect public health by identifying and addressing potential sources of foodborne illnesses.
During inspections, Health Department inspectors assess a range of factors related to food safety and sanitation. This includes the cleanliness of the establishment, proper food handling practices, temperature control, storage, pest control, and overall compliance with health codes.
New York City has a letter grading system that reflects the results of the inspection. Restaurants receive an “A,” “B,” or “C” grade based on their performance. An “A” grade indicates that the establishment had only minor violations, a “B” grade indicates more significant violations, and a “C” grade indicates critical violations that pose a potential health hazard.
By law, restaurants are required to post their inspection grades in a visible location, usually near the entrance. Moreover, inspection reports and grades are publicly accessible through the Health Department’s website. This allows customers to make informed decisions about where they choose to dine.
The frequency of inspections can vary based on the type of restaurants and food establishments establishment, its previous inspection history, and the level of risk associated with the food it serves.
If an establishment receives a grade lower than “A,” it is usually subject to follow-up inspections to ensure that the violations have been corrected. Restaurants that receive a “C” grade are often re-inspected within a short period of time.
The map below created by Reddit user spicysnake333, shows health inspection ratings for New York city restaurants.
According to the latest data, there are 19,130 “A” grade restaurants, 1,699 “B” grade restaurants, 643 “C” grade restaurants, and 58 closed by the Health Dept in New York City. The Bronx has the highest rate of below-“A” ratings, while Staten Island has the lowest.
To learn more about New York City restaurants, have a look at the following books:
