STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City’s restaurant letter grading system is celebrating its 15th anniversary, marking a decade and a half of transforming how the city approaches food safety and dining transparency.
Since its launch in July 2010, the program has required the city’s 29,000 restaurants to display letter grades prominently — giving diners immediate insight into food safety practices and influencing how New Yorkers choose where to eat.
“Just like the no-smoking law from 2003, we thought it wouldn’t work — but in the long run, it’s good for all restaurants,” said Terence Haggerty of Jody’s Club Forest in West Brighton…