A Prince George restaurateur is frustrated after Northern Health posted an incorrect inspection rating of her diner to its website.
After China Taste received a low hazard rating after being inspected on April 5, a moderate hazard rating was posted on the Northern Health health website, one of only a handful of local restaurants to receive that rating.
Up until Monday afternoon, the hazard rating for China Taste still said moderate before it was finally changed to low. The Citizen reported Saturday that China Taste was one of three restaurants in Prince George with a moderate rating.
"On Monday I come in and my co-worker bring(s) the newspaper right away and then I knew the whole story and I was shocked and a little bit upset," said May Wong, the co-owner of China Taste.
Wong stressed that the low rating means her restaurant shouldn't be lumped in with the Pan Am, which received three high hazard ratings and three moderate ratings over a span of about three weeks during six recent inspections.
"We know we are not like that," Wong said, who has co-owned China Taste for 14 years. "We are totally not like that and then people (are) saying we are what they say in the newspaper so it's really bad for us and everybody know(s) - the whole community."
Wong said there are so many different kinds of violations that go under the moderate hazard rating.
"Some is for food," Wong said. "But our moderate is because of (a) construction issue."
The moderate hazard rating came as a result of a March 21 inspection.
That designation is described as improper construction/maintenance of establishment.
"It's not about the food," Wong said. "It's not about a food problem. It's construction. It's nothing about a dirty spot or hygiene spot at all. It's not related at all. Construction means like the kitchen is small. It's not because it's not clean, it's because it's small."
Wong added the kitchen is long and not wide open like other kitchens.
The China Taste rating of moderate posted on the website was an error, said Andrea Palmer, regional manager, public affairs and media relations for Northern Health.
"As soon as we pointed it out to the environmental health team they went in and corrected it," said Palmer.
A low hazard rating is the standard given to all restaurants who don't have any additional need for an elevated hazard rating, Palmer added. That is in recognition of the fact that no facility or situation is completely hazard free. The industry standard is to give all food premises a baseline of low.
Dr. Sandra Allison, chief medical health officer, public health, for Northern Health said she understands the website that offers restaurant ratings needs work.
"So the website has been used for several years and it's for people to make decisions and informed decisions and we do hope people find it useful but I think that your feedback is really important in helping us understand what would make things more useful for the people in the community," Allison said. "On the tale of these inquiries I've been having discussions with the leaders in my program to say 'are we doing good work with this website and if not what do we need to do differently?' So they're taking a critical view of that right now to really understand how we can support the public to make more informed decisions."
Allison said it really hasn't been a priority or focus and staff see the site as a reporting piece.
"So it's just part of their workflow, so they do this and then they do that," Allison said. "But I think they're actually seeing now a little bit more the implications of how we do this and why it's important to do it right."
On the China Taste report, it said the next inspection would take place in one month, with the statement that the date is tentative and at the discretion of the inspector.
"Right now I can tell you we are reactively updating the website whenever things are being brought to our attention and for what it's worth the team really does take pride in that and they want to make sure things are accurate and so they are reacting to these things," said Allison. "In the meantime, as leaders we're trying to say 'OK wait a minute you guys, before we go rush around and change a whole bunch of stuff let's acknowledge that the tool is imperfect and what do we need to do to be thoughtful and planful around making these changes.'"
Allison said they will continue to work to make the improvements needed on the website.
"So in three months time from now, let's say mid-summer, people can go on there and actually have a lot more confidence because that to me is what's important," Allison said.
Northern Health has some very specific goals with regards to updating the public health space website, Palmer said.
"The goal right now is we're shooting for (inspector) posting their inspections updates within 48 hours if possible to a maximum of a one week time delay between inspection and public update," Palmer said.
Follow up inspections for food premises that are left with a moderate or high hazard will be done in a timely manner but the inspectors don't want to be expected at the restaurant, so it's kept vague on purpose.
"Those expectations are now being set in a more concrete manner and with greater priority," Palmer said.
