Schulman presents inspection rate decline from FY2019 to FY2025
Schulman cites Council analysis showing initial sanitary inspections fell from 99.5% of restaurants in FY2019 to 69.7% in FY2025. She attributes the drop to COVID-19 impacts on inspection rates and public health sanitarian staffing, though monthly inspections have recently increased.
The Council's analysis of DOHMH data in preparation for this hearing highlights the current challenges facing the city's restaurant inspection program.
In fiscal year 2019, 99.5% of restaurants received an initial sanitary inspection.
By fiscal year 2025, that figure had fallen to 69.7% and almost 30% drop.
The COVID-19 pandemic seriously impacted inspection rates and staffing levels for public health sanitarians.
the title given to restaurant inspectors.
Recently, there are encouraging signs of increased inspection activity.
The average number of monthly inspections rose from approximately 1,400 in the final quarter of 2023 to nearly 2,200 by June 2024, reaching just under 2,700 by August 2026.
However, the department's entry-level public health sanitarian workforce has not returned to its pre-COVID levels, and inspection trends reflect this reality.
These data raise questions about staffing, inspection capacity, and the department's ability to provide consistent oversight across the city's food service establishments.