Data Methodology
Data Sources
All data on NYC Restaurant Inspections comes from official government sources, primarily the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). We use the following datasets:
Primary Dataset
- DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results: Complete inspection records including violations, scores, and grades
- Facility Information: Restaurant details including names, addresses, cuisine types, and contact information
- Inspection Details: Inspection dates, types (routine, complaint-based, reinspection), and outcomes
- Violation Records: Specific health code violations with severity classifications (critical/non-critical)
- Enforcement Actions: Closure orders, reopening notifications, and compliance tracking
- Quality Scores: Numeric scores and letter grades (A, B, C, N, P, Z)
Data Source Authority
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - The official regulatory authority for food establishment health inspections in New York City, operating under New York State Department of Health oversight and federal FDA guidelines.
Update Frequency & Real-Time Processing
Collection Schedule:
- Our automated system checks for new inspections every 2 hours, 24/7
- New reports are processed and published within minutes of availability
- We maintain continuous monitoring to ensure no inspections are missed
- Duplicate detection prevents data inconsistencies across multiple API calls
Data Accuracy & Coverage:
- Successfully tracking 109,034+ inspection records from 31,350+ facilities
- Comprehensive violation tracking with severity assessments
- Real-time closure and reopening notifications
- Historical inspection records dating back to available API data
Technical Methodology
Data Collection Process
- API Query: Automated queries to NYC Open Data Portal every 2 hours
- Record Validation: Verification of data integrity and completeness
- Duplicate Detection: Advanced deduplication using facility + inspection date + type + action
- Violation Aggregation: Multiple violations combined into comprehensive inspection records
- Facility Enrichment: Address geocoding, cuisine categorization, and neighborhood assignment
- SEO Processing: Automatic generation of search-optimized content
Quality Assurance
- Source Verification: All data traces directly to official DOHMH records
- Processing Logs: Complete audit trail of all data operations
- Error Handling: Automated detection and correction of data anomalies
- Backup Systems: Redundant data collection and storage systems
NYC Inspection System Overview
Inspection Types
- Cycle Inspection: Routine inspections based on risk assessment and previous scores
- Pre-permit Inspection: Initial inspection before operating permit issuance
- Complaint Investigation: Inspections triggered by public complaints
- Reinspection: Follow-up inspections to verify violation corrections
- Compliance Inspection: Verification inspections after closure orders
Grading System
- Grade A (0-13 points): Generally good condition
- Grade B (14-27 points): Some violations that need attention
- Grade C (28+ points): Multiple violations requiring immediate attention
- Grade N: Not yet graded (new or pending inspection)
- Grade P: Grade pending (under review)
- Grade Z: Grade pending (reinspection required)
Data Transparency & Limitations
Update Timing
Inspection data typically appears in the NYC Open Data Portal within 24-48 hours of the physical inspection. Our system captures this data within 2 hours of publication, ensuring rapid public access to food safety information.
Known Limitations
- Inspection Lag: 1-2 day delay between inspection occurrence and data availability
- Weekend Processing: Some inspections may show delayed processing after weekends
- Historical Corrections: Occasional retroactive updates to past inspection records
- Facility Changes: Name and ownership changes may create temporary data inconsistencies
Contact & Verification
For questions about our methodology or to verify specific data points, please refer to the source data at NYC Open Data Portal or contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene directly.
All data processing follows strict adherence to public records law and regulatory compliance standards, overseen by certified professionals with legal and emergency medical expertise.