The state adopted a risk-based approach to inspections in 2007 and required local health departments to begin using its new format last year.
The Department of Health and Senior Services is considering a regulatory change that would set minimum frequencies based on risk - full-service restaurants and institutional kitchens twice a year, simpler restaurants annually, and sellers of prepackaged food less than once a year.
Currently, inspections are required at least annually.
Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties: County health departments largely follow the state minimums.*
Pennsylvania
A risk-based approach was adopted by the state in 2003, although jurisdictions with their own health departments have their own rules.
Pending state legislation would encourage variations in frequency of inspections - mainly by allowing fewer inspections of lower-risk places, which could free up resources for more visits to higher-risk establishments.
Inspections now are required at least once a year.
Bucks County: Adopted a risk-based approach in 2004. Operations that sell prepackaged foods or have limited menus are inspected annually; full-service restaurants and institutions, twice a year.
Chester County: Follows risk-based guidelines. Routine inspections are conducted annually.*
Delaware County: Inspections in eight municipalities are done by the state Agriculture Department based on the once-a-year,* risk-based approach it uses statewide. The remaining 41 municipalities do their own inspections.
Montgomery County: Has followed risk-based guidelines since the 1990s. Sellers of prepackaged food are inspected once a year; all others, twice a year.
- Don Sapatkin
* Regardless of local guidelines, most schools nationwide are inspected at least twice a year, a requirement for participation in the federal school lunch program.
