Posting restaurant inspection scores on the internet as a tool for improving food safety is becoming more common. Studies have been conducted evaluating the effectiveness of posting restaurant inspection scores in windows, however there has not been an evaluation of the association between posting scores on the internet and restaurant inspection results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between internet posting of restaurant inspection scores and the five most frequently cited critical violations in Salt Lake County, Utah. The study examined 2,995 inspections conducted at 796 full service and fast food restaurants for a 1 year period before and after launch of a restaurant inspection website. Data in the retrospective, longitudinal study were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation (GEE). Critical violations decreased significantly after the website launch compared to before launch levels. The greatest improvements were found in temperature holding violations (odds ratio=0.75, p<0.001), hygiene practices violations (odds ratio=0.68, p<0.001) and equipment cleanliness violations (odds ratio=0.58, p<0.001). Restaurant type (full service, fast food), inspector experience and season were significantly associated with the decrease in violations. Equipment cleanliness, cross-contamination and sanitizer concentration violations decreased significantly within 0 to 60 days after the website launch compared to before launch inspections. Holding temperature and personal hygiene violations decreased in the 61 to 180 days after launch. Holding temperature, personal hygiene and equipment cleanliness were significantly lower up to 1 year after launch compared to before launch inspections.
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