Check out restaurant health reports online

Last week the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announced that all food safety inspections conducted since Jan. 1, 2007 are now available to the public on its website at: http:// www.health.ri.gov/environment/ food/inspections.php.

Consumers may search the online inspection database to view past inspections or create a personal account that allows them to select individual establishments for which they would like to receive future inspection reports (e.g. restaurants or school lunch programs). When inspections are conducted in the selected facilities, an email notification will be automatically sent with a link to the inspection report.

These on-line reports are launched in conjunction with a new food safety certification program, through which HEALTH will partner with NSF International to recognize restaurants and food service establishments that have the best food safety, workplace safety, and sanitation practices in place. NSF International is an independent, nonprofit organization that develops best practices for food safety.