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New York, NY - City to Require Restaurants to Post Letter Grades Based on Cleanliness |
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City officials believe you have right to know -- that's one of the reasons their implementing a new grading system for health inspection scores. And that grade will have to be posted where diners can see it.
The restaurant lettering system will be phased in over the next two years and posted prominently in the windows. This will give consumers a chance to see what health inspectors have to say, without doing any research.
New York City's known for the best restaurants in the world, but now there's hope it'll be among the cleanest with the new mandate phased in.
To help consumers make better public health decisions -- today New York City's health commissioner announced the plan to letter grades in windows.
The letters "A", "B", or "C" will be in plain sight based on three full inspections every year.
Presently, most New York City restaurants have only one.
"I think that New York City's public deserves when they go to a restaurant -- that the only thing on the menu is what they actually paid for," Sen. Jeff Klein, (D) Bronx/Westchester said.
But critics worry the letter grades will mislead consumers and punish a restaurant that potentially had one bad day.
But city leaders believe this letter grade system will put everyone on their "A" game, so to speak. And provide incentive for those who have a "C" hanging in their window, to clean up their act.
"Restaurant are expensive -- everything is expensive. The more information we can have, the more protection, the better," Manhattan resident Raina Grossman said.
Anyone from Los Angeles -- knows exactly what this system is, because it has been in place there since the 1980s. When it was implemented there, not even half of the restaurants received A's. But at this point, more than 80 percent have A's, so that seems to be proof that it works.
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Read Comments (29) — Post Yours »
1
Jan 31, 2009 at 09:21 PM Pandit Says:
If they can keep the health inspectors from taking bribes, then this program will work.
2
Jan 31, 2009 at 09:19 PM Anonymous Says:
Wow. its about time that somebody starts pressuring these places to clean up their act. A couple of times i've seen mice in a certain establishment and their cleanliness ratings are very good. Lets just hope this system actually works.
3
Jan 31, 2009 at 09:11 PM Anonymous Says:
I like the sytem they have in Alabama and some other states in the South. They give a number grade, from 1 to 100, and make the score large enough to be seen from your car. It must be shown in the front window, in a way which a driver can read it before parking. And... they are strict.
4
Jan 31, 2009 at 09:27 PM Dag Says:
This works well in Los Angeles
5
Jan 31, 2009 at 09:32 PM Anonymous Says:
yes its nice to go to a clean restauran
6
Jan 31, 2009 at 09:35 PM Anonymous Says:
They should also require the heimeshe places to post the name and current status of the hashgacha, the name of the mashigach on duty and a telphone number to contact in the event of any complaints about kashruth...
7
Jan 31, 2009 at 09:36 PM JoeFlix Says:
Hey! I was just in LA - there its law already, and EVERYONE has an A in their window! otherwise they know they will lose their business! Its just a very effective way of forcing them to use gloves, obey the food safety rules - etc
8
Jan 31, 2009 at 09:59 PM Anonymous Says:
“ They should also require the heimeshe places to post the name and current status of the hashgacha, the name of the mashigach on duty and a telphone number to contact in the event of any complaints about kashruth... ”
Many of these so called "heimeshe" restaurants are among the dirtiest in the city....these mashgichim don't seem to care at all about the cleanliness--only about whether the chickens have a plumb...
9
Jan 31, 2009 at 10:10 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Many of these so called "heimeshe" restaurants are among the dirtiest in the city....these mashgichim don't seem to care at all about the cleanliness--only about whether the chickens have a plumb... ”
I guess its ok to have insects in the flanken...its just when they get into a box of raisins that you hear these ehrleche guardians of kashruth screaming "gevalt"
10
Jan 31, 2009 at 10:39 PM moshe the chef Says:
that great maybe people wont sick as often
11
Jan 31, 2009 at 11:04 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Many of these so called "heimeshe" restaurants are among the dirtiest in the city....these mashgichim don't seem to care at all about the cleanliness--only about whether the chickens have a plumb... ”
Cleanliness is NOT the mashgiach's job!
12
Jan 31, 2009 at 11:14 PM Anonymous Says:
Why does the city stop at the letter C? there are 26 letters in the alphabet.
13
Jan 31, 2009 at 11:33 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Cleanliness is NOT the mashgiach's job! ”
thast m point If food preparation areas are filthy, the food cannot be considered kosher.
14
Feb 01, 2009 at 06:37 AM a poshiter yid Says:
I think if you can't rate a "C", then the next and only letter you should see is an "F"
15
Feb 01, 2009 at 01:35 AM Anonymous Says:
“ They should also require the heimeshe places to post the name and current status of the hashgacha, the name of the mashigach on duty and a telphone number to contact in the event of any complaints about kashruth... ”
Great Idea Maybe if more customers request this it could be done.
16
Feb 01, 2009 at 01:18 AM Milhouse Says:
“ thast m point If food preparation areas are filthy, the food cannot be considered kosher. ”
Sure it can. Cleanliness has nothing to do with kashrus. A perfectly clean piece of chazzer is still treif, and a filthy piece of chicken is kosher. A mashgiach's job is to make sure it's kosher; it's not his job to interfere in anything else.
This is a good system, it works great in LA, and I've been wondering for years why NY doesn't have it.
17
Feb 01, 2009 at 12:46 AM Anonymous Says:
Get ur eyes out of sandbox!!!! Every risturant is mice evrywear!!
18
Jan 31, 2009 at 11:35 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Cleanliness is NOT the mashgiach's job! ”
It might have e coli from sitting out and rotting, but it was from a perfectly kosher slice of meat on toveled dishes, just like back in the Shtetlach! Do you really think a Mashgiach has actually done his job if he is watching no farther than the base kashrus of the place? He has a social responsibility to his fellow yidden to ensure that his restaurant is not knowingly doing things that put people's health in danger, or you might as well just hire Maddoff as your mashgiach.
19
Feb 01, 2009 at 06:51 AM UBET Says:
Oh MAN! Do I have names of eating areas that would close tomorrow if they'd be inspeted!
20
Feb 01, 2009 at 09:41 AM murray Says:
“ Why does the city stop at the letter C? there are 26 letters in the alphabet. ”
Would you eat in a "F" rated restaurant, how about an "L", or a "Z".....I wouldn't even dare go in an "X" rated Restaurant, but that's for a whole different reason.
21
Feb 01, 2009 at 10:27 AM boroparkyenta Says:
Before you go out to eat, you can check it out online. Government inspections are public information. You will be shocked at what you see.
Most bakeries and restaurants get loads of violations on a regular basis.
If I go out and feel sick afterwards, I dont eat at that place again!
There should be a site where we can all review and rate our favorite establishments, as well as businesses that are rude, unfair, or just plain overpriced. Sharing this information can help many people from making a mistake especially on an expensive purchase. Maybe Vos iz Naies can open a subsidiary? Another page?
22
Feb 01, 2009 at 10:56 AM Anonymous Says:
I think this is a great idea. I got food poisoning from a place in Willi thats now been closed and was in the hospital for four days. I havent eaten out anywhere since.
23
Feb 01, 2009 at 03:46 PM Anonymous Says:
“ It might have e coli from sitting out and rotting, but it was from a perfectly kosher slice of meat on toveled dishes, just like back in the Shtetlach! Do you really think a Mashgiach has actually done his job if he is watching no farther than the base kashrus of the place? He has a social responsibility to his fellow yidden to ensure that his restaurant is not knowingly doing things that put people's health in danger, or you might as well just hire Maddoff as your mashgiach. ”
"Do you really think a Mashgiach has actually done his job if he is watching no farther than the base kashrus of the place?"
Absolutely. Base kashrus and higher kashrus. But nothing else.
"He has a social responsibility to his fellow yidden to ensure that his restaurant is not knowingly doing things that put people's health in danger,"
Really? Where does this responsibility come from? Is anyone paying him to be a health inspector as well as a mashgiach? If not, why should he do it? How is it his business? A mashgiach's responsibility is not to the customers, it's to the hechsher that hired him and pays him. And the hechsher's responsibility is only the kashrus, nothing else. A hechsher on a restaurant tells a customer that he can eat there without breaking any dinnim; what else he might be breaking is not part of the deal.
24
Feb 01, 2009 at 06:11 PM bigwheeel Says:
“ It might have e coli from sitting out and rotting, but it was from a perfectly kosher slice of meat on toveled dishes, just like back in the Shtetlach! Do you really think a Mashgiach has actually done his job if he is watching no farther than the base kashrus of the place? He has a social responsibility to his fellow yidden to ensure that his restaurant is not knowingly doing things that put people's health in danger, or you might as well just hire Maddoff as your mashgiach. ”
...As a matter of fact, he's considering this to be his next endeavor. He promised to apply as much skill... and honesty as to his previous employment. Hopefully, it won't take as long to expose him as in the investment field!!!
25
Feb 01, 2009 at 07:28 PM Anonymous Says:
“ "Do you really think a Mashgiach has actually done his job if he is watching no farther than the base kashrus of the place?"
Absolutely. Base kashrus and higher kashrus. But nothing else.
"He has a social responsibility to his fellow yidden to ensure that his restaurant is not knowingly doing things that put people's health in danger,"
Really? Where does this responsibility come from? Is anyone paying him to be a health inspector as well as a mashgiach? If not, why should he do it? How is it his business? A mashgiach's responsibility is not to the customers, it's to the hechsher that hired him and pays him. And the hechsher's responsibility is only the kashrus, nothing else. A hechsher on a restaurant tells a customer that he can eat there without breaking any dinnim; what else he might be breaking is not part of the deal. ”
This is so reassuring and makes me want to be a vegetarian...I've eaten in glatt places several times that were filthy; the mashgiach is always sitting at a table in the corner with his nose in a sefer rather than helping to make sure the food preparation is clean...
26
Feb 01, 2009 at 08:42 PM Anonymous Says:
I know someone who only ever eats in his own home or his mothers. Guess it's not just because he doesn't trust the Kashrus. He's smart, healthy & rich!!
27
Feb 02, 2009 at 03:58 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Wow. its about time that somebody starts pressuring these places to clean up their act. A couple of times i've seen mice in a certain establishment and their cleanliness ratings are very good. Lets just hope this system actually works. ”
ugh that is gross. cant be so clean if you seen mice.
28
Feb 02, 2009 at 12:11 AM Anonymous Says:
I was at a kosher eat in / out place in California and after placing the order - while waiting for the food I realized that there was a roach on the counter upon closer inspection I saw that the entire counter and display was infested. I couldn't decide whether I should open my mouth as I couldn't imagine that this worker hadn't noticed it. I was thinking of calling the Baal Hamachshur but chickened out. Needless to say when we got the food and dumped it in the nearest outside garbage. I don't recall whether the place had a letter grading on the window or not - but when I was there previously during the day (a different day) it had been full of local people eating there. (the above story happened at night - don't know if it made a difference or not)
29
Feb 03, 2009 at 02:13 AM Milhouse Says:
“ This is so reassuring and makes me want to be a vegetarian...I've eaten in glatt places several times that were filthy; the mashgiach is always sitting at a table in the corner with his nose in a sefer rather than helping to make sure the food preparation is clean... ”
How will becoming a vegetarian help you? You think milchike places are cleaner than fleishike ones?
For the umpteenth time it is NOT THE MASHGIACH'S JOB to make sure the food preparation is clean. His job is only to make sure it's kosher. In some places that means being in the kitchen full time, not learning in the dining room; but there are places where that's not necessary, where there's basically nothing that can go wrong in the kitchen while he's sitting and learning in the dining room, so he does. E.g. if the place is entirely milchig or fleishig, and all the cooks are Jewish, once he's checked the incoming ingredients what more is there for him to do in the kitchen? What could go wrong, that he could prevent with his presence?