Schiff describes DOHMH food safety inspection and grading program
Schiff says DOHMH permits restaurants, educates owners, trains supervisors, conducts unannounced inspections, and issues letter grades. She notes about 90% of restaurants currently post an A grade, and the department investigates food poisoning complaints and outbreaks such as the nationwide cyclospora outbreak.
The Health Department is charged with protecting and promoting the health of all New Yorkers, including to promote the highest food safety standards in New York City restaurants, respond to foodborne illness outbreaks,
reduce tobacco-related disease and death, encourage consumption of healthy foods, and promote compliance with the local law governing cooling towers.
To protect diners, the department issues permits, conducts outreach and education for restaurant owners, trains restaurant supervisors in food protection,
conducts unannounced inspections, and issues inspection grades so New Yorkers and the millions who visit our city can make informed decisions about where to eat out.
About 90% of restaurants are currently posting an A grade.
The department investigates complaints of food poisoning and conducts foodborne illness outbreak investigations.
investigations, often working with public health experts across the country, as in the recent nationwide cyclospora outbreak.