Food safety rating on a curve: How it’s done and why it matters

January 22, 2017.Reading time 11 minutes.

We recently launched our first-of-its kind food safety rating system, and we look forward to rolling it out over the course of the next year. One unique component of our approach to providing residents with easy-to-use signage is our adoption of a rating “curve,” or adjustment of ratings by zip code. This new system has raised questions among some […]

Drum roll! And the winner is… Option C!

January 17, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

Look for new food safety ratings in restaurant windows! Starting today, January 17th, restaurants will begin receiving their new food safety rating and window sign as they are routinely inspected. You may not see window signs in your neighborhood restaurant right away since restaurants will be rolled into the new system in four phases throughout […]

With the new year comes a new way to rate food safety: A Q&A with Becky Elias and Damarys Espinoza

December 19, 2016.Reading time 13 minutes.

We’ve been hard at work developing a new food safety rating system that gives King County residents the information they need to remain safe while eating out. Restaurants will now receive one of four food safety ratings that will be posted on restaurant window signs.

Two heads are better than one: One step closer to restaurant grading

June 30, 2016.Reading time 7 minutes.

Three health inspectors walk into a bar. You might expect that they order three different drinks and hilarious antics ensue, but what really happens is that three slightly different inspection reports are filed. It’s no joke – in fields that rely on decentralized decisions and discretionary authority, consistency from one professional to another is a […]

Eagerly awaiting restaurant placarding? Here are the next best things.

March 11, 2016.Reading time 9 minutes.

A little over a year ago we wrote about the challenges of developing a fair and reliable placarding system for restaurants (read it now!). You see, not all placarding systems work the same way. We did some research to find out what other jurisdictions do, and we identified some areas for improvement as we develop […]

Food inspection grades: A – B – C, easy as 1 – 2 – 3 … or is it?

December 19, 2014.Reading time 3 minutes.

New York City has them, so does L.A. Even Toronto has them. So why aren’t there food safety inspection grades posted outside of restaurants in King County? The answer? Food safety performance placarding is coming, and when it does, it will give patrons and establishments alike information that is meaningful, clear, and motivating. Diners need […]