Berkeley's Food Safety Inspections Face Critical Backlog

In a recent city council meeting, Berkeley's Environmental Health Division faced scrutiny following an audit that revealed significant shortcomings in its Food Safety and Inspections Program. City Auditor Jenny Wong presented the findings, highlighting that the division failed to meet its inspection targets, leaving 45% of food facilities uninspected in 2023. This figure is notably better than San Francisco's 51% but starkly contrasts with Alameda County's 3%.

The audit, prompted by rising complaints about food safety, indicated that the division did not adequately track its spending or staffing levels, resulting in critical vacancies that hindered inspection efforts. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of vacant positions increased from one to five out of a total of 13 budgeted roles. The division also struggled to respond to foodborne illness complaints, addressing only 26% of such cases within the targeted one business day.

Wong emphasized the importance of food inspections, noting that foodborne illnesses affect millions annually in the U.S. The audit recommended that the division develop a plan to improve inspection coverage, enhance public information accessibility, and address staffing needs. The division's management partially agreed with the findings and committed to prioritizing high-risk facility inspections and improving response times for complaints.

City Manager Scott Gilman acknowledged the challenges faced by the division, attributing some issues to a recent leadership change and a lack of resources. He assured council members that efforts were underway to recruit for critical positions and improve the tracking of inspection data, which has been hampered by outdated software.

Council members expressed concern over the division's performance and the need for a transparent grading system for restaurants, similar to those in other jurisdictions. They also discussed the potential for partnering with Alameda County to enhance inspection capabilities.

As the meeting concluded, council members called for a follow-up report on the division's progress, emphasizing the critical nature of food safety in protecting public health. The council aims to ensure that all food facilities in Berkeley are inspected regularly and that the division meets its operational goals by the end of the year.