Health Inspection Scores Easier to Find, Interpret

You've probably known that Kentucky health inspectors check restaurants, grocery delicatessens, and convenience stores for food storage and service practices, but recent changes in state regulations now make their results obvious to customers.

A regulation that went into effect on August 1 requires an 8-1/2 x 11" sign be placed at the entrance with a letter grade of A, B, or C displayed.

Health Environmentalist Seth Perry of the McCracken County Health Department said their method hasn't changed when they inspect businesses that serve food.

"We still go by the 2005 Kentucky Food Code. It's just the way it's displayed," Perry said.

Perry and his co-worker, Joel Barrett, calculate a numeric score, with a perfect inspection getting 100. Any score 85 or above gets an A grade. Each violation knocks off a few points, and a score below 85 is a C - a failing grade. Any business that gets a C must have another inspection within 10 days.

Some violations are considered "critical", including food temperature, hygiene practices, sanitation methods, or insect/rodent infestation. Those result in an automatic C grade.

A business that passes their follow-up inspection gets an A, but if it fails, a B grade is displayed. Any business that fails two regular inspections in a row, gets a B, even if they fix everything on a follow-up.

The B grade is also displayed if a business has been shut down for immiment public health violations, but then is allowed to re-open after a follow-up. Perry said the main reasons for a closure are septic system problems or major infestations of insects or rodents. He said they have not had to do that in 2013.

Perry said businesses he works with have had typical responses to the new system.

"The people that were getting good grades already are happy to display it, but the businesses that had trouble in the past are pretty leary about it," Perry said.

As for the response of some customers when they see the report card, he has mixed feelings.

Perry said, "I've heard of people seeing the C, and then they'll turn around and not go in, which I don't think that's the best. I don't want anyone to lose business or anything, but it'll help people in the long run, I guess - help them do a better job running their kitchen."