Restaurant Ordinance Endorsed by Council

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to ratify a county ordinance that cracks down on restaurants that violate health codes, but also passed along some suggestions of its own.

The county requires that restaurants post a letter grade of A, B or C so that patrons can quickly see how well the establishment is complying with health codes.

To enforce the county ordinance in incorporated areas, cities must adopt ordinances of their own, which Los Angeles has now done.

The city ordinance will be forwarded to the county Board of Supervisors.

Along with the council’s approval, council members suggested a few additional restrictions and requirements for the board to consider.

Those include requiring that food handlers pass a certification course before being allowed to work with food, that new restaurant owners or those in managerial positions be trained handlers and be on the premises during open hours, and that restaurants be provided with health code manuals.

Also, the council suggested that restaurants be able to pay for additional inspections to improve their grade.

The cost of a reinspection would be high enough to pay for two inspections, one scheduled within five days of the request and another to be conducted without notice soon thereafter.

While the restaurant waits for a new inspection, it would be required to post the original letter grade.

Whether or not the board implements the council’s suggestions, the city may choose to enact an ordinance of its own, but it would be responsible for enforcing the restrictions, officials said.

Although representatives of the county’s environmental health section, which enforces the health codes, could not be reached for comment, city officials said they have been receptive to the suggestions.