| Go to any public eating establishment and you'll | | | | formats as well. For instance, California restaurants |
| eventually notice a big letter in blue hanging in plain sight. | | | | receive a letter-grade such as A, B, and C. Other |
| So, what do those postings mean? | | | | areas post the actual numerical score. If you don't see |
| In most counties, the health department is in charge of | | | | an inspection rating posted, ask. Unless there are |
| conducting inspections of the restaurants. It is important | | | | substantial violations, most restaurants will be given the |
| to note that the inspection process can vary from | | | | opportunity to remain open while working to correct |
| county to county, so check with your local health | | | | the issues found during the inspection. |
| inspection agency for specifics. You can call your | | | | Health departments don't have the manpower to |
| county health office or check to see if inspection | | | | "police" all food establishments. Restaurants are usually |
| guidelines as well as local restaurant scores are | | | | inspected routinely based on their size. Bigger |
| posted online. | | | | restaurants might be visited three times a year and |
| Usually a restaurant begins with a score of 100 and | | | | smaller establishments only once per year. Health |
| points are deducted for various violations. There are a | | | | departments will respond to complaints and visit more |
| number of factors that are considered, over 100 in | | | | frequently based on the number of complaints. |
| some places. Some of these violations include: | | | | Although restaurants are not supposed to know when |
| presence of insects or rodents, improper food | | | | these inspections take place, they are often informed |
| temperatures, unsanitary work spaces, and improper | | | | by other restaurant owners when an inspector is in the |
| disposal methods of unsanitary foods. The passing | | | | area. This advance knowledge can sometimes cause |
| score is different depending on where you live. In | | | | the ratings to be somewhat inaccurate. |
| some localities, you must score an 85 to pass. Others | | | | The best rating for any individual is their own. If you |
| will pass restaurants with a score of 70 or above. It is | | | | don't feel a restaurant is sanitary, then don't chance |
| important to look not only at whether or not the | | | | eating there. Take precautions like checking silverware |
| restaurant passed the inspection, but on the score that | | | | and glasses for cleanliness. Check to see if the |
| was received and the violations themselves. Dirty hand | | | | employees are neat and tidy looking. Perhaps the best |
| towels may be much less of a concern to you than a | | | | indication of a restaurant's cleanliness is the bathroom. |
| rodent infestation. | | | | Do some research of your own, and use the health |
| A restaurant is required to post the results of its latest | | | | department's ratings along with your own gut feeling to |
| health inspection. These results can be in different | | | | make your dining decisions. |