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Food inspection reports of Philadelphia: assessing the importance of certified food handlers
Thesis

Food inspection reports of Philadelphia: assessing the importance of certified food handlers

Seunghyug Kwon
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Drexel University
May 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3599
pdf
Kwon_Seunghyug_2010676.32 kB
PDF Access upon request, Email title, URL, or DOI to archives@drexel.edu

Abstract

Pennsylvania--Philadelphia Food Handling Food Inspection Public Health
Objectives: The overall purpose of the project was to analyze restaurant inspection reports and draw conclusions on whether the presence of a Certified Food Handler (CFH) during routine inspections improves the outcome of the inspection, Methods: A longitudinal study using restaurant inspection reports done by sanitarians of OFP. We analyzed 8,416 inspections reports that were conducted in 2007 and 2008 for retail restaurants (Mobil, Take-Out, Eat-In, Private Club) in Philadelphia county. Using the Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE) based approach, we modeled the outcome variable (0 = no critical violations (CVs); 1 = one or more CVs) as a function of presence or absence of a CFH while adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Statistical analysis reveals that overall the presence of a CFH decreased the odds of CVs by 83 % (P <0.0001) relative to those without CFH. We also looked at the top 3 violation categories that were most reported in 2007 and 2008, where CFH relative to those without CFH decreased the odds of all three categories ('Vermin Control', 'Food protection', and 'Employee Health, Hygiene') by 54 % (P < 0.0001), 50 % (P < 0.0001), and 68 % (P < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusions: A CFH has a significant protective effect in preventing CVs for restaurants in general and seems to interact with what quarter year and which health district (HD) the inspection was conducted. CFH also had a protective effect against all three violation categories that were most reported during routine inspections. Further research is need to look at the characteristics of CFHs and establishments as well as a comparison between the new risk-based inspections and the old inspections to see if there is any improvement in overall food safety. The results from this study will not only add further evidence to the literature but will also evaluate Philadelphia's food protection program as well as help city policy makers with their decision on assigning budgets.

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