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State board action could eliminate restaurant grading system
State board action could eliminate restaurant grading system
Ward's House of Prime
MILWAUKEE -- City leaders in Milwaukee on Monday, Nov. 12 spoke out ahead of possible state board action that could eliminate the food grading system in the city -- as did representatives with the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, who support the potential ban on letter grade placards at Milwaukee restaurants. This, as even some board members admitted the program is working.
Alderman Michael Murphy hosted a news conference at Ward's House of Prime with Mayor Tom Barrett, other Common Council members and representatives from the Milwaukee Health Department -- as well as business owners. At the restaurant, the food is great, service is top-notch and the kitchen is "Grade A" clean.
Brian Ward
"We like to display that and show we are a clean place for people to come and eat," said Brian Ward, owner.
Ward was issued the sanitation grade by the Milwaukee Health Department in January, as part of a new program that would soon require the placards at all restaurants for customers to see -- with a low grade prompting a temporary closure.
"We believe the program accomplishes improved food safety practices and reduces foodborne illnesses," said Murphy.
Murphy has worked on the program from the beginning. He said there are already signs of success, with health code violations down year-to-date.
On Thursday, Nov. 15, the Wisconsin Board of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will vote on draft administrative rules recreating Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter ATCP 75 to bring it into substantial accord with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 2013 Model Food Code.
Alderman Michael Murphy
A news release from Alderman Murphy says the proposed draft includes language which prohibits the application of grades or scores to retail food establishments based on inspection reports.
“This (action by the board) would be state officials reaching in to Milwaukee and ending a food grading system that is not only popular with customers and the public, but also with restaurant and establishment owners. We feel strongly that our residents and millions of people who visit our city each year should have a clear way to understand the compliance of restaurants and other food establishments. Food grading puts clear and easy to access information in front of consumers, rather than require them to find and interpret technically complicated reports,” said Alderman Murphy in the release.
Milwaukee Sanitation Grading System
Milwaukee's grading system grades establishments based on the "Wisconsin Food Code," under which inspections are conducted and points are assigned to each violation. Establishments are awarded an “A” grade for a score of 80 points or more on a 100 point scale. Scores below 60 points result in a “C” grade, and may prompt temporary closure of an establishment if an imminent health hazard exists.
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association supports a ban on the placards, with officials believing a single letter grade can alter perceptions for the wrong reasons. The WRA issued this statement Monday:
"As someone who sits on the board, I do what is best for my restaurant and for the area. I think what is best for the restaurants in Milwaukee is to work with the Health Department and really provide that safe environment," said Ward.
The program was established with the help of a $350,000 FDA grant and an additional $140,000 in taxpayer funds. There's no additional cost going forward.