BALTIMORE, MD (May 17, 2016)– The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) today released a new inspection web portal that provides the public with easy access to recent food service facility inspection data online. This new public portal, available at http://baltimore.foodinspectionreports.com/, provides greater transparency into the inspection process and allows constituents to make better informed dining choices.

This is the latest effort from the Baltimore City Health Department to improve transparency and streamline the restaurant and food establishment inspection process.

“People need to be able to make informed decisions about where they want to eat. We are proud to introduce this new tool which will increase transparency and help residents make better choices for their families,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “We’ve continued to work tirelessly to ensure our restaurants and other food service establishments serve food in a hygienic and safe way, and believe this new system will empower residents to be more involved in this critical public safety process.”

The result of a Mayor’s Innovation Fund Loan, the online system officially introduced today offers users the capability to view inspection reports as of January 1, 2016 and allows users to sort facilities by name, address, zip code, or city council district. The public portal will also allow facility operators to showcase good inspection results by directing customers to review their inspection reports online.

As a result of legislation introduced last year by Councilman Brandon Scott, BCHD now posts recent food establishment closures online at http://health.baltimorecity.gov/environmental-health/recent-food-establishment-closures and via social media. The legislation, which became law last year, also required restaurants to post closure notices on the premises, detailing reasons for the establishment’s closure.

"This is about transparency, about tax payers dollars, and— most importantly—about resident’s health. This online resource will help bring Baltimore into to the 21st century and better ensure the health and safety of our families,” said Councilman Brandon Scott. "The public has a right to know why restaurants are closed in a timely manner. We will continue to hold people accountable and improve the ability of residents to know what's happening in their communities.”

To view the new the new web portal, please visit http://baltimore.foodinspectionreports.com/. The online tool will also soon be available on OpenBaltimore. Complaints regarding the unsafe food handling or unsanitary conditions of a food services facility can be reported by calling 311 or by accessing the Baltimore CitiTrack Service Request System online