Grand Jury Faults Restaurant Checks

The Los Angeles County Grand Jury has charged that the county is failing to meet state standards to inspect restaurants four times a year.

In a written statement released this week, the jury put most of the blame on the county’s inability to retain qualified staffers.

A report by the jury indicated that the actual frequency of county inspection is 1.6 times per year, less than half the state standard.

“We recognize that the county has a staffing problem, but we feel that there are reasonable solutions,” said jury foreman Robert Leland.

“For example, some parts of the inspection process could be performed by persons with an associate degree in science under the supervision of environmental health specialists.”

In addition, Leland said, the jury feels that a certification program for food service managers and a mandatory training program for food service workers would greatly enhance public safety.