MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A new app was designed to serve up local health scores right to your fingertips.
The app was called “What the Health,” and it has recently gained popularity across the state.
Why?
Chris Peoples, one of the creators, answered that one for us.
“We think we provide a good health service to people, ” he said over Skype.
Peoples told WREG it allows users to instantly find out if a nearby restaurant was as clean as it claimed to be.
The app lists restaurants close to you. You click on the restaurant you want, and you’ll find the health score, when it was last inspected and a list of violations.
The app is synced to the Tennessee Health Department’s website and pulls new information every couple of days.
WREG put the app to the test and sat down with the Shelby County Health Department to compare of its scores with the app.
No problem there.
“It is something that anyone can look at and understand what exactly is going on at the facility, and what happened while the inspector was there,” said Kasia Smith-Alexander with the Shelby County Health Department.
Restaurant owners WREG spoke to said the app was off to a good start.
“Anyone can have a bad day where their score may be effected,” Germantown Chick-fil-A owner and Memphis Restaurant Association President Anthony House said.
House pointed out that inspectors show up unannounced, even at the busiest times. It can sometimes make scores unreliable.
“What I would look at as a consumer is a pattern. If a restaurant has consistently scored low, that is where I would have a concern,” he said.
He hopes the app will soon offer the restaurant’s history too, so diners could truly get a feel of where they’re eating.
So far, the health experts are giving the app rave reviews.
They said this app holds restaurants accountable and gives families an easy way to find a safe place to dine.