De La Rosa asks whether recertification and language access can close A-grade gap

Councilmember De La Rosa?

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Chair.

I had a question.

So we already heard 90% of restaurants have an A grade.

Do you believe that requiring the reapplication will solve for the 10% that is not an A grade?

Requiring the recertification.

It's an interesting question.

You know, ongoing training and refresher training, it could be an important part of food safety.

But whether it would bring us to 100% of A's, I don't know.

What do you see as the discrepancy between all of the restaurants that have the A's and the ones that don't?

Like, what is the main...

challenge?

Well, I would say that those most common violations would be something that the restaurants would look at.

And really, those restaurants that are not getting that A grade are just not, they're not meeting those high food safety standards that we set out in our health code.

And the grade is one among many incentive systems that we have to try to encourage restaurants to do that.

And then to take the opportunity to participate in all of that out.

reach and education and training that we offer.

The test for the food safety and protection or the certifications, are those offered in multiple languages?

Our guide, our inspection guide is offered in 36 languages other than English.

I have to check and see if literally the exam is in those languages or just the course review.

That would be helpful.

I've always brought up to the city in other hearings, you know, when you're not an English language, native English language speaker, you think in another language and you're actively translating.

Yes.

So you study different and you test different.

So it's important, especially considering the diversity of the food of the city.

That they're able to take these courses in their language if possible.