Were bugs found at your favorite Charlotte restaurant? Here’s how to check
We all like to imagine our food is being prepared in a spotless kitchen when we go out to eat.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case everywhere in Charlotte.
In the past few months, inspections by the Mecklenburg County Environmental Health Division have found mouse poop, dead roaches and fruit flies at local eateries.
The division reports that there are more than 4,400 food service facilities currently operating within the county. While that figure continues to grow every day, county officials conduct about 13,000 facility inspections each year, according to the county website.
Have you ever wondered just how clean a restaurant really is without relying on Yelp reviews? Here is how to find out.
How to find Charlotte inspection reports
Inspection records from Mecklenburg County’s Environmental Health Division are available on its Food and Facilities Inspections Site, where the public can review scores of their favorite Charlotte-area eateries.
Each inspection form includes a score and letter grade based on what health inspectors find, along with a list of health violations.
What are inspectors looking for?
Health inspectors look for any signs of filth and unsanitary conditions, including:
Dirty or broken kitchen and food storage equipment
Live and dead insects and rodents
Food safety measures, such as storage temperatures and labeling dates
Employee safety measures, such as routine hand washing and proper attire
Dirty restroom facilities for employees and patrons
How you can report a problem
Customers who see a health issue at a restaurant can file a complaint with the Mecklenburg County Department of Environmental Health in one of the following ways:
Call in the agency at 980-314-1620
Mail feedback to the Mecklenburg County Health Department, 3205 Freedom Dr., Suite 8000, Charlotte, NC 28208
What happens if a restaurant fails an inspection?
According to North Carolina state law, permits are immediately revoked if a restaurant receives a score of less than 70 percent.
Restaurants with revoked permits are required to shut down until they pass re-inspection..
