OC restaurants to start posting new inspection signs

Starting later this week (Thursday, Oct. 1), the health inspection signs posted at Orange County restaurants will look different than they used to. But KPCC's Susan Valot says customers might not notice much of a change.

Right now, it's hard to tell the difference between restaurants that pass health inspections with flying colors and those that just skim by in Orange County. The county considered a color-coded system, but shot it down after complaints from restaurant owners. They feared it would hurt their business.

So instead, the county's tweaking its current placards with minor changes. As they do now, the placards carry the county seal. But the new ones have different lettering, so the health grade is easier to pick out.

Pass means the restaurant fared well. Reinspection Due – Pass means the restaurant had a few health violations that it fixed. It'll need a follow-up inspection. Closed means exactly what it sounds like – problems that will take a while to fix, like vermin, sewage overflow, or not enough potable or warm water. The new signs will turn up in Orange County restaurants this Thursday, Oct. 1.