|
The Wake County Food Sanitation Section protects the public health through the enforcement of State rules and regulations enacted for safe and sanitary construction and operation of regulated food service establishments (restaurants, grocery stores delicatessens, food stands, etc.).
To identify opportunities for improving the food sanitation inspection program and providing better service for the citizens of Wake County, the Environmental Services Department conducted a public opinion survey January 10-21, 2008. In cooperation with local media outlets, patrons of Wake County restaurants were encouraged to complete the online survey. Wake County is pleased to announce that during the 11-day survey, 1,000 people logged onto WakeGov.com to complete the survey, providing valuable feedback, which will be utilized to define program priorities.
Following are graphical representations of the survey results:
Additionally, of the 1,000 respondents, 580 individuals submitted a written response to the final survey question of “How can Wake County improve its food safety inspection program?” The following chart summarizes the responses broadly. View the complete list of all responses and comments (.pdf).
Category Explanations
Add Resources (34.0%) ~ This category includes suggestions to increase inspection frequency, increase the frequency with which low scoring facilities are visited, and provide additional staff, as needed, to meet these objectives.
Change System (24.3%) ~ This category includes suggestions to change the scoring system, remove the two point bonus for the successful completion of an approved food service sanitation program, like ServSafe, and to require a change in the score card posting location.
Strengthen Enforcement (21.2%) ~ This category includes suggestions to more strictly enforce sanitation requirements, close low scoring facilities, remove the re-inspection option for low scoring restaurants, imposing fines on repeat low scoring facilities, and make it tougher to get an “A”.
Improve Public Access (19.7%) ~ This category includes suggestions to make the inspection report available at the facility, increase publicity of low and high scoring facilities, and enhance the existing search functions on the County’s website which hosts the sanitation scores.
Provide Education (14.3%) ~ This category includes requests to require the successful completion of an approved food service sanitation program like ServSafe, provide additional training opportunities for facility staff and managers, and provide additional information regarding the inspection process.
Questions?
Contact Frances Breedlove, Food Sanitation Section Chief, fbreedlove@co.wake.nc.us, 919-856-7416.
|