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May 16, 2008 11:06 am US/Eastern
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Crab Gets Poor Reviews As Symbol Of Cleanliness
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
It's called the "Clean Crab Award," but some say there's nothing clean about crabs.
Kelly McPherson reports the Health Department is dealing with criticism over its restaurant reward program.
The idea is to bring attention to restaurants for going above and beyond inspections, but some people are questioning if a crab is really the best choice to show a restaurant is clean.
Everyone wants a clean place to eat out. A heads-up about whether or not a restaurant is clean is good, too.
The problem is the Health Department chose a crab as its sanitary symbol. They're already getting complaints.
"Some people are vegetarian, some people don't eat crabs, so I think you know, like I said, we're open to changing the name," said Olivia Farrow, Baltimore Health Department.
"Personally, I think it's a little ridiculous to put a crab on it. Like I said earlier, you should put a roach on the door," said Randy Ewing.
Other diners get the idea.
"It's one of the things Baltimore is known for, famous for its crabs, so it's good representation," said Matt Potts.
But many say there has to be something less messy to associate with a clean meal.
"I don't know, maybe like a little tooth where you have good teeth. I don't know a gold star," said Ewing.
"A crab isn't something I would pick, but I don't have a better suggestion for them," said Shannon Towner.
No matter if it's a crab or something else on the outside of these restaurants, customers and restaurant owners say in order for the system to work, they need to know what the symbols mean.
"I think locals will definitely know what it means because of the publicity behind it. We do a lot of tourism here in Little Italy, in particular, so I don't know if the tourism trade would know exactly what that means," said Roland Keh, Amicci's co-owner.
"It's really to reward those establishments who really excel in food safety and to empower consumers," said Farrow.
New York City runs a similar program. They picked a golden apple.
What Baltimore will end up with is still up for debate until July 1.
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