Restaurant safety in Oklahoma

(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- Oklahoma and Arkansas are the only states in the region that haven't shut down at least five restaurants annually in recent years. <br><br>In Oklahoma, workers in much

Monday, April 14th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- Oklahoma and Arkansas are the only states in the region that haven't shut down at least five restaurants annually in recent years.

In Oklahoma, workers in much of the state are at least required to take food-safety courses.

Arkansas stands alone in not having adopted a new Food and Drug Administration food-handling code.

Arkansas officials say there's a reason why shutting down a restaurant is rare, despite twice-a-year inspections of every restaurant in the state.

They say the state's system is set up to educate not punish restaurants.