NORTH TONAWANDA —
As one of the staffers here at the paper responsible for obtaining the health inspections, I can tell you that there are some scary offenses being committed at Niagara County eateries.
Everyone will forget to wear a hair restraint from time to time, but I see places that don’t have thermo-meters to test their food, don’t heat things properly, store bug spray right next to the pop dispenser and plenty of other culinary atrocities.
So when I heard that eateries in New York City will soon be required to post their health inspection grade in full public view, I was thrilled that such a system is in existence.
I was also hopeful that a similar program would come here.
The system, according to The Associated Press, calls for restaurants to display a letter grade (just like in school, A is the best). This method was designed, health officials said, to give the public an indication of how clean a place, as well as give food purveyors an incentive to clean up.
Health inspections are a matter of public record. But there are probably a lot of newspaper readers who don’t read them or can’t find them (page 5C in every Sunday's paper, if you’re interested), and far fewer people will actually drive to Mount View in Lockport to see the records for themselves.
So a system like this only makes sense. Critics of the New York City program say it will only serve to embarrass restaurateurs. Well, what’s so bad about that? Some of the best changes come about as a result of a person’s embarrassment, with the humiliation acting as a catalyst for change.
And trust me. I read these records. Some people need the incentive.
Besides, you should, as a proprietor, want to shoot for a high grade. Once it’s achieved, wouldn’t you want to boast about it?
New York City’s method was modeled after a similar set-up in Los Angeles, where the number of restaurants receiving the highest mark doubled from 40 percent to 80 percent after the letter grades were implemented. Not that I actually think there is a high number of places that are too unsanitary to patronize, but shouldn’t we strive to be the best possible and to hold others to the highest possible standards?
I would love to see Niagara and Erie counties implement a similar plan. Because, unless your job calls upon you to look up such things, you’re probably not going to have the time or desire to look up every restaurant on your own.
It’s not easy being clean, but it’s worth the time and effort to get tidy.
Contact Paul Lane at 693-1000, ext. 116, or paul.lane@tonawanda-news.com.
Food
Related Photos
-
Paul Lane
Health plan makes the grade
- Food
-
-
Spreading their wings
If you’re ever passing through North Carolina and develop a hankering for some hometown cooking, be sure to look up Kirk Weaver.
-
Farmers’ markets compete for business even during ‘buy local’ craze
With the emphasis among the nation’s foodies being placed on locally grown foods, the questions begs to be asked: How much stock do Tonawandans put in foods created in their backyard?
The answer depends on who you ask. -
Local catering service looks to help children and the community
Many people would consider the desire to help children stay healthy to be an admirable trait in a man.
Add in his insistence to do so in Western New York — helping local pockets grow as waistlines shrink — and some people would run out of accolades to shower upon him. -
Show some love for locally made burgers
While “better burgers” have sprouted up across the nation as the focal point of “gourmet” fast-food eateries, burgers with a softer touch still appeal to many diners.
-
After trying times, Flying Bison is back on tap
Ten years ago, Tim Herzog came to Buffalo from his native Rochester with an idea that began as a joke. His wife gave him a home beer brewing start-up kit as a gag gift for his birthday, but it was only natural for him to take the idea and run with it.
-
Eggplant parmesan proves a fruitful adventure
For a man whose idea of “cooking” normally entails a few pushes of the microwave buttons, tackling eggplant Parmesan was quite a switch.
-
Fruits of their labor
A recent visit to the Fortistar greenhouse proved to be a savory experience.
-
Town of Tonawanda woman lands ‘Cake Boss’ internship
A Town of Tonawanda native has turned her love of cooking into a possible gig with the "Cake Boss."
-
‘Obesity taxes’ stir debate in political, culinary circles
To tax or not to tax? As officials debate the merits of obesity taxes, maxed-out citizens are left to struggle with an ever-tightening waller - and ever-expanding waistline.
-
Health plan makes the grade
Some of the violations in the health inspection reports can be scary. That's why a NYC law to make restaurants post their grades makes sense.
- More Food Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
