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June 14, 2024
Next year, food service establishments in Kitsap County will be required to post new inspection signs in places where customers can easily see them. The new signs are designed to empower community members to make educated decisions when it comes to where they eat.
Soon, it will be easier for local diners to learn about food safety at Kitsap restaurants. Starting July 1, 2025, all permanent food service establishments in Kitsap County (such as restaurants, grocery stores, and food trucks) will be required to post new food safety inspection signs in places where customers can easily see them (like front doors/windows).
These signs will clearly communicate inspection results to customers through graphics and easy-to-read text. Some Washington counties, including Pierce and King, already require similar food safety signs.
UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNS
The new signs will display ratings — Best, Great, Okay, or Needs to Improve—based on average scores from the recent food safety inspections.
Kitsap Public Health inspects more than 1,300 food establishments in Kitsap County. During inspections, our team focuses on finding “critical violations.”
Critical violations are unsafe food handling practices that are most likely to make people sick. Examples include sick food workers, cross-contamination, and touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands.
Non-critical violations are violations that are less likely to make people sick. Examples include dirty floors, a dimly lit dining room, or the presence of dogs.
Here is an explanation of violations and the ratings restaurants will receive:
Best: No violations observed (100% average score)
Great: A few violations observed
Okay: A number of violations observed
Needs to improve: Establishment is on probation
Businesses that have not yet received a food safety inspection will post a sign that says, "We are still new."
Detailed inspection reports for each establishment are posted at kitsappublichealth.org/foodreports.
Temporary food establishments, such as vendors at fairs and festivals, are inspected by Kitsap Public Health but not required to post the new inspection signs.
Have a question about our new signs? Call us at 360-728-2235 or visit kitsappublichealth.org.
Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | (360) 728-2235 - main
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