How to Interpret Restaurant Health Ratings in NYC: Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy
As a diner in New York City, you may have seen restaurant inspection grades posted on the windows and doors of your favorite eateries, ranging from A to C. These grades display the results of regular health inspections conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which evaluates each of the city’s 24,000+ food establishments on a wide range of criteria, including food handling, sanitation, and pest control.
While an A grade is the best possible result, and a C grade indicates the restaurant has failed to meet certain health standards, interpreting these ratings can sometimes be confusing. In this article, we will provide you with some tips and insights on how to read and understand restaurant health ratings in order to make safe and healthy dining choices in NYC.
Understanding the Inspection Process
The Department of Health conducts unannounced inspections of restaurants at least once a year, with additional inspections conducted after complaints or during follow-up inspections. During these inspections, inspectors evaluate each restaurant on a series of criteria, calculate the restaurant’s score, and assign a letter grade based on that score.
What the Grades Mean
An A grade indicates that a restaurant earned between 0 and 13 points on the inspection. This indicates a well-run and clean establishment with proper food handling and storage practices. A B grade means that a restaurant earned between 14 and 27 points, indicating some room for improvement, but no critical violations. A C grade means that a restaurant has failed to meet certain health standards, earning 28 or more points.
What to Look For
When you are dining in NYC, be sure to look for the posted grade before entering the restaurant. If a restaurant does not have a grade posted, it may have received a lower grade and is not in compliance with local health regulations.
When looking at the grade, pay attention to the date of the inspection, as well as the score and corresponding letter grade. If the restaurant’s posted grade is less than an A, take a moment to read the inspection report, which is available online. This report details the specific violations that were found during the inspection, including how many points were deducted for each violation. It is important to note that some violations may be minor, while others may be more serious, such as evidence of rodents or insects.
Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy
In addition to checking health ratings before dining out, there are some key steps you can take to make sure your food is safe and healthy:
1. Look for restaurants that have high ratings and a good reputation for food quality and safety.
2. Pay attention to the cleanliness of the restaurant, including the condition of the kitchen, bathrooms, and dining area.
3. Be aware of food allergies and intolerances and ask for ingredient information before ordering.
4. When dining out, remember to practice basic food safety, including washing your hands before and after eating, and being careful to avoid cross-contamination with other foods.
By following these tips, paying attention to restaurant health ratings, and being mindful of your own food safety practices, you can enjoy a safe and healthy dining experience in NYC.
