About restaurant inspections
Summary
Each restaurant licensed to serve food in Boston must be inspected at least once a year. In this section of EveryBlock, we publish new inspection results throughout Boston, so you can find out how well restaurants near you are following the law.
The results will show what, if anything, was found by Boston's Division of Health Inspections. Violations can include such things as a sewage backup, improper storage of utensils and the presence of insects and rodents.
This section of EveryBlock also will show you the name and location of each establishment, the date of the inspection, the inspection result (pass, fail, etc.,) and comments from the inspector.
Note that the city inspects many kinds of food establishments — restaurants, daycare facilities, hospitals — but does not classify establishments under those categories in its inspection results.
Source
The information comes from the Mayor's Food Court, an application published by Boston's Inspectional Services Department. The Division of Health Inspections is part of the ISD.
The city updates its site constantly and we at EveryBlock publishes new inspection information each day.
How does the inspection process work?
Each food establishment in Boston is inspected at least once a year to ensure it follows the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code. Establishments that serve "highly" susceptible populations, including nursing homes and day-care facilities, are inspected three times a year.
City inspectors will temporarily close an establishment if they believe it is endangering the public. Until the problems — like a lack of water or a sewage backup — are fixed, the establishment can't reopen. The Inspectional Services Department has a list of establishments that have had their permits temporarily suspended.
If less severe violations are found, the establishment can stay open as long as problems are corrected in time for a follow-up inspection.
But if critical violations haven't been corrected, a hearing is scheduled. At the hearing, the establishment could have its permit suspended or revoked, or a final inspection could be scheduled, among other options.
New restaurants can't open unless they get city approval, which comes after an inspection. The ISD Forms Available for Download page includes a list of documents for restaurants.
