A look back on New York City's restaurant letter grading system after 15 years

WNYC News | Aug 11, 2025

When you go out to eat, do you notice the big letter grade posted on the way in? Does it play a role in whether or not you go eat there?  

Since 2010, New York City has required restaurants to post these letter grades from A through C after the department of health has gone in to assess the cleanliness of the restaurant.

City health officials are touting 15 years of the system, and we wanted to spend some time digging more deeply into how its working

New York City Deputy Health Commissioner Corrine Schiff talked with WNYC's Sean Carlson more about the system. 

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