Santa Monica kitchens shine in comparison to LA
CITYWIDE — Eating at your own risk in Santa Monica is safer than most communities within Los Angeles County, a recent survey of restaurant health ratings found.
Dubbed one of the “shinning stars” of the Los Angeles County Health Department’s grading system, Santa Monica’s kitchens are cleaner than most, according to Terrance Powell, chief environmental health specialist for LA County.
The Los Angeles County Health Department serves as the watchdog for the public in making sure that the people who handle food are doing it safely, cleanly and properly. Based on unannounced visits from health inspectors, food establishments are measured on a unique grading system that deducts points for infractions.
The system was devised to allow the public a way to gauge for themselves whether it’s clean
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 9, 2005. Read the original PDF.