The star-rating posted outside restaurants and pubs in Cumbria, England is making it safer for diners, reports News & Star. The county adopted the Scores on Doors scheme in 2007, which awards a maximum of five stars to establishments with high inspection scores, has noted a decrease in the number of “high-risk” premises.

Ruth Harland, an environmental health officer with 34 years experience, explained,

“The number [of high-risk establishments] we used to have to inspect every 12 months has reduced by 50 per cent. Because of the improvements they’ve made, they’ve moved up to 18…The general standard has been lifted.”

So successful is the scheme, it’s due to be extended to every local authority in the country.

Harland continued,

“It’s great from the consumer point of view because it allows them to make an informed choice about where they buy their food and eat out.”

However, like any program it has its flaws, and has experienced push-back from some operators.

“It’s all about attitudes. The scheme has been going long enough now for people to know what they need to do to improve. There are still 10 premises that have no stars and I think some people just don’t want to make the improvements. It’s laziness, a lack of understanding and, in some cases, a lack of finance. I’d be reluctant to eat at a premises with no stars.”

So would I Ruth, so would I. It’s all about operator attitudes and, as Doug always says, creating a culture of food safety.