Restaurant patrons might think if their food tastes good it was prepared in a clean kitchen. The Department of Environmental Health claims that’s not always the case.

They’ve even created a new grading system for restaurants.

In the new grading system, an ‘A’ indicates few violations. A grade lower than a 'C' indicates a restaurant has been asked to close until their grade level changes.

Grades are posted on restaurant windows.

Inspectors hope the new grading system will reduce the risk of food contamination in restaurant kitchens, and prevent food sickness.

Each restaurant, according to inspectors, start with an ‘A.’ Each violation docks restaurants points. One roach in a dining area is half a point, while several roaches crawling around a restaurant could be grounds for automatic closure.

Patrons should always be aware that codes can always be violated. Chief Inspector Guy Shaw said, “The assumption is that if they’re doing it the day the inspection is done…they’re going to do it through the whole year.”

Surprise inspections help alleviate such violations.

The cities of Delano, Arvin, Shafter and Maricopa have not adopted the system, though inspectors say it shouldn’t take them too long.

Customers will see restaurant grades beginning on July 1.

Check the Kern County Department of Environmental Health Services link for inspection results: www.co.kern.ca.us/eh/