Restaurant reports go online
Posted: Sunday, November 13, 2005
DES MOINES (AP) -- Eating out isn't quite as risky as it used to be.
The state launched a Web site this week that lists inspection reports from thousands of restaurants across Iowa.
At the click of a mouse, you can find complaints about restaurants and see which ones are safe.
"The ultimate customer (of the Web site) are those of us who dine out," said Steve Young, director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. "Without this as an option, they really can't do it in an informed fashion."
The site -- http://foodandlodgingreports.iowa.gov/) -- includes reports from more than 20,000 food establishments in Iowa, including grocery stores, hotels and motels.
The reports, which date to January, show whether restaurants had any critical health violations. According to IDIA, the most common violations include storing food at the incorrect temperatures or near cleaning supplies.
"Any critical violation that shows up on a report should make someone pause," said department spokesman David Werning. "A critical violation that if left uncorrected could lead to ... making a customer sick."
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals inspects about 5,000 establishments, and contracts with health departments to do the rest.
Restaurants are supposed to be inspected twice a year, but that is often not occurring because local health officials say the fees collected for the service don't cover the expense.
Polk and Jasper counties recently stopped inspections and turned them over to the state. But officials said the state doesn't have enough staff to meet those requirements.
Grants from the Iowa Access Advisory Council paid for the Web site, which will cost the department about $2,000 a year to maintain.
The state launched a Web site this week that lists inspection reports from thousands of restaurants across Iowa.
At the click of a mouse, you can find complaints about restaurants and see which ones are safe.
"The ultimate customer (of the Web site) are those of us who dine out," said Steve Young, director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. "Without this as an option, they really can't do it in an informed fashion."
The site -- http://foodandlodgingreports.iowa.gov/) -- includes reports from more than 20,000 food establishments in Iowa, including grocery stores, hotels and motels.
The reports, which date to January, show whether restaurants had any critical health violations. According to IDIA, the most common violations include storing food at the incorrect temperatures or near cleaning supplies.
"Any critical violation that shows up on a report should make someone pause," said department spokesman David Werning. "A critical violation that if left uncorrected could lead to ... making a customer sick."
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals inspects about 5,000 establishments, and contracts with health departments to do the rest.
Restaurants are supposed to be inspected twice a year, but that is often not occurring because local health officials say the fees collected for the service don't cover the expense.
Polk and Jasper counties recently stopped inspections and turned them over to the state. But officials said the state doesn't have enough staff to meet those requirements.
Grants from the Iowa Access Advisory Council paid for the Web site, which will cost the department about $2,000 a year to maintain.
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