PA Ag Secretary warns restaurants against possible health inspector scam

Restaurant owners, managers and staff across the state are urged to be on guard against a potential scam in which an unidentified caller claims to be a health inspector and asks for business information and money.

Agriculture Secretary George Greig said the caller is not a licensed agent of the state or any county. He also reminded restaurants that inspections by the Department of Agriculture’s food sanitarians are always unannounced.

Upon arrival, sanitarians will identify themselves and show proper identification, including a commonwealth employee photo identification card and food sanitarian badge.

If a restaurant is contacted by someone claiming to be a health inspector who seems suspicious, restaurant personnel should contact local law enforcement.

Similar incidents occurred across the state in 2011.

For more information about food safety, visit www.eatsafePA.com.