Do letter grades mean you’re less likely to see mice?

Mice are a scarcer sight in restaurants these days, according to the Department of Health — violations for rodents in restaurants have gone down 10 percent since letter grades began, city officials said today.

The city’s Health Department released data showing that cases of mice in restaurants, along with salmonella, have gone down since letter grades were introduced in 2010.

Salmonella cases fell 14 percent during the first year of letter grades,
according to the Department of Health. Officials said restaurant owners are paying closer attention to food
regulations in order to make the grades.

And officials noted a 10 percent drop in the number of restaurants that got mice violations. About 22 percent of restaurants still show signs of mice, but that’s a drop from 32 percent, according to the report.

In the city, 72 percent of restaurants have an “A” grade.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that a Baruch College study showed that 91 percent of New Yorkers approve of the the grades, and 88 percent consider them while eating out.

“Confidence in clean kitchens is proving to be good for business,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.