Tougher Restaurant Health Codes Urged

A Los Angeles City Council panel on Wednesday moved to close a loophole that has hampered a new health crackdown on restaurants.

In the process, council members threw in some recommendations of their own aimed at cleaning up renegade establishments.

“Before someone is able to open a restaurant, they should pass a basic test on how to deal with food,” said Councilman Mike Feuer, chairman of the council’s Arts, Health and Humanities Committee. “We should make [the county’s ordinance] tougher, clearer and fairer.”

Currently, the county requires restaurants to post an A, B or C grade so that patrons can see at a glance whether eating establishments are complying with health codes.

But in order for the new rules to be enforced within city limits, the city codes must also be changed to mirror the county’s. The committee members recommended the city make the changes.

Then, venturing into territory usually left to the county health department, they also recommended a series of new measures to improve safety, including a requirement that new restaurant owners and their employees be trained in health practices and that restaurants be provided with health code manuals.

Restaurants could also pay for two reinspections to improve their grade, under the committee’s recommended changes, which will be forwarded to the county Board of Supervisors if approved by the full council.