In February, Multnomah County’s health inspectors checked several local restaurants to ensure they followed food safety rules. This routine inspection is important for keeping our food safe and preventing illness. The inspections focus on three main areas:
- Priority items: These are violations that directly threaten health, like serving spoiled food.
- Priority foundation items: These require proper management practices, such as correct food labeling and monitoring temperatures.
- Core items: These relate to overall cleanliness and maintenance of the restaurant.
Several restaurants stood out with perfect scores of 100, including:
- Dairy Queen, 12727 S.E. Foster Road
- Eb & Bean, 645 N.W. 21st St.
- Ichi 15 Teriyaki, 1307 N.E. 102nd Ave.
- KFC, 12124 N.E. Glisan St.
- Rip City Coffee, 10101 S.E. Foster Road
- Round Table Pizza, 4141 N.E. 122nd Ave.
- San Sai Japanese Grill, 539 N.W. 21st Ave.
- Taco Bell, 12017 N.E. Glisan St.
- The Turning Peel, 4546 S.E. Division St.
On the other hand, some restaurants did not meet the 90-point mark. For example, Banh Mi Fusion PDX scored 87. The issues included improper handwashing by staff and inadequate cleaning practices for food-contact surfaces.
Interestingly, public awareness of health violations is on the rise. A recent survey found that 78% of consumers say they check restaurant health scores before dining out. This shows a growing trend where diners are more cautious about food safety, reflecting a shift in societal priorities toward health and well-being.
Experts note that with the rise of social media, negative reviews about food safety can spread quickly. This makes it crucial for restaurants to maintain high standards. Failing to do so not only affects their health score but can impact their reputation and business.
In summary, restaurant health inspections are vital for ensuring food safety. As consumers become more aware and concerned, it’s important for all restaurants to adhere to regulations not just for scores, but for the health of their customers.
