Thomas Breen file photo
City health inspector Brian Wnek (right) at Krauszer's in the Cove.
Proposed grading system for food establishments.
The next time New Haven’s restaurants sit for a Health Department test, customers may get to see the grade.
That would be the case if the Board of Alders passes a new legislative proposal submitted by the city’s health inspection agency.
The proposed ordinance amendment would require the Health Department to issue public grades to every food establishment in the city, rating their compliance with health and safety standards.
New Haven Health Director Maritza Bond presented on the draft ordinance to the Board of Alders Legislation Committee on Tuesday evening. Committee alders unanimously issued a favorable recommendation of the legislation, which now advances to the full Board of Alders for further review and a final vote.
“We want to empower consumers to make strong choices,” Bond said.
The ordinance would create grades of A, B, C, and D, based on each restaurant’s performance in its latest health inspection. (Click here to download the inspection criteria, which pertain to everything from vermin control to plumbing to cleanliness of personnel to food protection.)
The proposal is based on food service grading systems in nearby towns and cities, including New York City, Stamford, Norwalk, Wallingford, and Hartford. Similar grading systems are also already used by the Quinnipiack, Naugatuck, and Farmington Valley Health Districts.
An A grade would be awarded to establishments whose scores range from 90 to 100.
A B means that the restaurant scored between an 80 and 89 and violated fewer than five “risk factor” criteria, which regulate food storage and hygiene systems, among other things. Restaurants scoring between 80 and 89 with five or more risk factor violations would receive a C.
Finally, a D would be awarded to any business with a score lower than 80. Any establishment with a “four-point violation” — the most serious issues including temperature control for sensitive foods and infection control measures if an employee has an illness or wound — automatically receives a D as well.
Laura Glesby Photo
Bond at Tuesday night's hearing.
The grades would apply to a range of food service operations, including food trucks, restaurants, school cafeterias, nursing home kitchens, delis, grocery stores offering prepared food, and night clubs. All of these types of establishments are already inspected by the Health Department. This proposal would put in place a new grading system, and it would make the grades visible to the public.
“The grade has to be posted so it’s visible to consumers, like on a window,” Bond said. The department may eventually create a public-facing database of grades as well.
Establishments that serve “vulnerable populations,” like nursing homes and hospitals, are “Class 4” facilities that get inspected four times per year. Typical restaurants (“Class 3”) get inspected three times per year, while establishments like nightclubs (“Class 1”) and delis (“Class 2”) that serve a more limited menu of food usually get inspected once or twice per year.
The grade would reflect the most recent inspection, Bond added, meaning that restaurants will have future chances to make up for poor grades.
Board of Alders Majority Leader and Amity/Westville Alder Richard Furlow praised the ordinance proposal, noting that a friend of his recently contracted food poisoning.
He asked about the inspection frequency classifications: “Where does McDonald’s fall?”
“It’s a class 3,” Bond responded, meaning that it would get inspected three times.
“So even a big chain will have to post a grade,” Furlow said. Bond confirmed that this would be true.
(Update: After the publication of this article, Health Director Bond reached out to clarify that fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s are actually class 2 facilities, meaning that they are inspected twice a year. She also clarified that establishments can appeal their inspection scores by requesting a hearing with herself or with the state Department of Public Health.)
Hill Alder Evelyn Rodriguez.
Hill Alder Evelyn Rodriguez asked whether the inspection and grade posting process would cost business owners.
“No cost to business,” Bond replied.
Furlow asked whether restaurants would be able to appeal their ratings.
Bond said she would have to look into that.
“We should write that into the ordinance,” Furlow suggested. He asked Bond whether she had any recommendations for how an appeals process could work.
Bond advised that restaurants should be able to appeal to an “independent” arbiter, separate from the Health Department.
Legislation Committee Vice Chair Richard Furlow and Chair Ellen Cupo.
When it came time for them to deliberate, alders praised the program as a means of accountability and transparency in the food service industry.
“The idea is to give more information to customers … but also to put pressure on establishments” to follow health codes, observed Westville Alder Adam Marchand. “It’s clearly in the public interest for these establishments to be as safely run as possible.”
Furlow agreed. “I’m glad to see New Haven join in a grading system.” He said that before the ordinance appears before the full Board of Alders for a vote, the committee should look into adding an appeals system.
There are very few Krauzers I trust. The grades on the establishment is great. I’m assuming these places that serve food would get there act together. I would also like to see bars that get there lines cleaned regularly known to patrons. All places that serve tap beer are mandated to get the lines cleaned once a week. Each bar should have a record of this being done.