TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The restaurant industry is applauding business-friendly changes in Florida's inspection process.
    
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association president and CEO Carol Dover said the changes going into effect on Jan. 1 will improve regulatory compliance.
    
The state Department of Business and Professional Regulation included Dover's comment Tuesday in a news release announcing the revisions that it is making in the state's Food Code.
    
The agency says the most business-friendly change will divide safety and sanitation violations into three categories: high priority, immediate and basic.
    
High priority violations are those that would contribute directly to a foodborne illness or injury such as deficiencies in cooking, reheating, cooling and hand-washing.
    
The new system is expected to be easier for restaurant managers as well as customers to understand.

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