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Q&A
Restaurant inspections and food safety concerns
2:44:41
ยท
72 sec
Council Member Restler raises concerns about restaurant inspections and food safety, particularly in light of potential FDA cuts. Commissioner Morse provides information on current inspection rates and efforts to improve staffing for inspections.
- Discussion of current restaurant inspection rates and goals
- Concerns about meeting inspection targets and potential impact of FDA changes
- Commissioner's response on efforts to improve inspection capacity
Lincoln Restler
2:44:41
I mean, we're up I think slightly this year on restaurant inspections.
2:44:43
We're still not going to hit our percent goal.
2:44:45
Do we need to be doing more when outbreaks of salmonella, listeria, other things are are a risk to our communities to be doing extra restaurant inspections, doing more to keep New Yorkers safe?
2:44:55
How do we help fill that gap?
Michelle Morse
2:44:57
Thank you for the question and for your concern.
2:45:00
I will say that we have, as you said, improved the number of, excuse me, not vaccinations, restaurant inspections.
2:45:07
We are doing about 30,000 per year of food delivery sites across the city.
2:45:13
Our environmental health team is working very actively to make sure that we're adequately staffed to make sure that we can continue to improve and meet our goal of 100%.
Lincoln Restler
2:45:23
But we're not going to meet that goal this year?
Michelle Morse
2:45:25
We are working towards it.
Lincoln Restler
2:45:27
But I mean the PMMR said you're not going to meet the goal this year.
2:45:29
Is there something I'm missing that you're working toward it but we're not going to hit it?
2:45:32
Don't we need to be doing more if the FDA isn't going to take on its responsibilities?
Michelle Morse
2:45:37
Well first of all I'm not aware of the FDA changing the number of staff that they currently hire, although I know that that's been under discussion.
2:45:46
And I would say that we are always willing to partner with counsel to do more.
2:45:49
So we'd be happy to speak with you offline.
Lincoln Restler
2:45:51
Thank you for answering my questions Doctor.
2:45:52
Morris, I appreciate it.