Grand Forks Herald, N.D., Marilyn Hagerty column: THE EATBEAT: Fifteen get perfect scores from restaurant inspectors.(Column)

Byline: Marilyn Hagerty

Nov. 22--Every six months, inspectors from the Grand Forks Health Department show up in 155 kitchens holding restaurant licenses in Grand Forks. They check to see that hot food is kept hot and cold food cold. They check equipment and utensils, sewage and waste water disposal and plumbing. They look over the toilet and hand-washing facilities as well as garbage and refuse disposal. They check out insect, rodent and animal control. They look over the floors, walls and ceilings and the lighting and ventilation. And they rate each kitchen. A score of 100 is best. A score in the 90s or 80s or even 70s will pass, and the Health Department will work with restaurants to bring the score up. Rarely is anyone closed down. Wally Helland, Environmental Health supervisor, says, "I wouldn't say any of them look forward to our coming, but we have a good rapport with the restaurants, and they are cooperative in working with us. Many of them pay to send staff members to our food safety classes." Helland …