'Scores on the Doors'
Taunton Deane Borough Council has introduced a 'Scores on the Doors' scheme.
What is 'Scores on the Doors'?
Why have a 'Scores on the Doors' scheme?
Why do we need a scheme in Somerset?
Why are there so many different schemes across the UK?
What is the advantage for businesses?
How do businesses get assessed?
How does the Food Officer decide the score for a business?
How do businesses get a good score?
What if the business puts right all the things the Food Officer found wrong?
Can businesses appeal the star rating?
How much is this going to cost?
What information will be made public?
What happens if a business doesn't want an award, can they opt out of the scheme?
How can I get more information?
Frequently asked questions
What is 'Scores on the Doors'?
These days people are more aware of food safety issues and often request inspection reports from their Local Authority under the Freedom of Information Act. Scores on the Doors is about publicising hygiene inspection information on food businesses in a format that is easy to access and understand.
Why have a 'Scores on the Doors' scheme?
The Food Standards Agency's Strategic Plan 2005-2010 aims to reduce the incidence of food borne illness by 20%. Having knowledge of hygiene standards 'up front' enables consumers to make an informed choice about whether to use that particular food outlet.
Why do we need a scheme in Somerset?
Other parts of the Country and outside the UK have similar schemes in place which demonstrate that where consumers have access to hygiene information standards of hygiene in businesses increases.
Why are there so many different schemes across the UK?
There is no national model for 'scores on the doors' and at present the Food Standards Agency have not given any indication on whether they intend to introduce a national scheme, although they support the principle.
What is the advantage for businesses?
By creating a level playing field where everyone can see how good businesses are at hygiene. The best businesses are recognised and rewarded with a good score, and poor businesses are given a low score. As the public expect businesses to achieve good standards of food hygiene they may choose to use better rated businesses over poor ones.
How do businesses get assessed?
All food businesses are inspected according to risk, for example a busy cafe handling raw meat and preparing salads will be inspected by Food Safety Officers more frequently than a newsagent selling sweets. Businesses already receive regular food hygiene inspections and the information gathered during the inspection will be used to decide what rating applies. It may take 18 months before we have visited all food businesses as part of our programme of inspections.
How does the Food Officer decide the score for a business?
Food Officers already have to apply a risk rating based on a number of factors as part of the routine food hygiene inspection. The 'scores on the doors' rating will be based on three areas:
- food handling practices
- condition of the premises, including cleanliness
- management systems in place
At the end of the routine food hygiene inspection the officer will explain what the score is and what the business can do to improve it.
How do businesses get a good score?
The star rating system only looks at hygiene legal requirements and is a reflection of how well a business complies with food law. Food Officers don't usually make appointments for their inspections so any visit is only a 'snap shot' of what happens on a day to day basis. It is a legal requirement for all businesses to have a food safety management system in place to ensure things run as smoothly as possible, so it is essential to make sure that staff follow the system, and that the premises are clean and in good repair at all times.
What if the business puts right all the things the Food Officer found wrong?
The score given at the inspection will stay in place until the next planned inspection, which could be anywhere from 6 months to two years. The majority of businesses are inspected every 18 months, so it is important to get things right every day as all food hygiene inspections are made without an appointment.
Can businesses appeal the star rating?
When dealing with food you can't have a 'bad day' and expect food officers to be too sympathetic, customers rely on businesses to ensure what they eat is safe. However, if you consider the score given by the food officer was particularly harsh then businesses can always write to the Chief Environmental Health Officer within one month of the inspection.
How much is this going to cost ?
Nothing. The cost to the Council is also minimal as it does not significantly add to the time taken to do the routine food hygiene inspection.
What information will be made public?
We are currently developing a website which will be fully searchable. It will have the business name, address and phone number on a website, and the rating from 0 to 5 stars. Five stars is the top score, with zero stars being so poor they will not receive a sticker to recognise their efforts. All except the lowest risk businesses, and zero rated businesses will also receive a window sticker to display.
What happens if a business doesn't want an award, can they opt out of the scheme?
No. This is not an award scheme. It's only an indication of the hygiene standards at a business, based on what was seen at a routine food hygiene inspection.
All food businesses, including charities, voluntary groups and staff canteens are included. The lowest risk businesses, where minimal food preparation takes place, don't receive routine hygiene inspections so they fall outside the scope of the scheme, but will still be listed on the website as 'not rated'.
Can businesses use their star rating for publicity?
Of course! The whole point of the scheme is to reward good businesses, look out for star ratings advertised on menus, adverts and tell all your rivals.
How can I get more information?
Tel: 01823 356342
Email: food.safety@tauntondeane.gov.uk
Write to: The Food Safety Team
Taunton Deane Borough Council
The Deane House
Belvedere Road
Taunton
TA1 1HE
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