NYC restaurants must display cleanliness ‘grades’ from health dept, visible at doorway

NYC restaurants must show health inspection grades

NEW YORK — The New York City Board of Health has voted to require restaurants to tell the public what inspectors think of their cleanliness by displaying large letter grades near their entrances.

The public grading system is designed to give potential customers instant access to information about where they’re about to eat. The grades reflect the results of an eatery’s last inspection.

The health department says most of the restaurants it inspects each year maintain good or excellent health conditions. But about a quarter of them have significant problems.

The plan approved Tuesday came after a public hearing and monthlong open comment period.

Restaurants that receive grades lower than an “A” have time to improve their sanitary conditions before they have to post anything.