Scores on the Doors

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What is Scores on the Doors?

Scores on the Doors is a scheme that allows the public to view hygiene ratings following a routine food hygiene inspection by the local authority.  Under the scheme, each food outlet may display inspection information on the door or window.  This information will also be supported by a website, where consumers will be able to look up a food business hygiene rating on-line.  Many people are requesting inspection reports and information from their local authority under the Freedom of Information legislation.  This scheme will provide this information in a more accessible way.

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Is this a National Scheme?

At the moment there is no national scheme, however the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are piloting a number of schemes across the UK with a view to introducing a preferred scheme within the next year.  The Agency will be making a recommendation about the criteria for a preferred scheme in March 2008.

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What type of businesses will be included in the scheme?

It is proposed that all catering businesses will be included in the scheme including restaurant, cafés, takeaways, delicatessens, care homes, hotels, and pubs serving food.

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Are there any exemptions?

It is proposed that low risk businesses or those which are inaccessible to the public will not be included, for example, newsagents, wholesalers, home caterers.  These businesses are still included as part of the council's food hygiene inspection programme even though they may not be part of the scores on the doors scheme.

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How will businesses be scored?

Scoring is based on criteria set out in the food law code of practice.  The criteria within the code of practice look at the level of risk a food business poses to consumers and a score is given based directly on that risk.  The three criteria used for providing a rating under the scores on the doors scheme include the following:

• Food Hygiene and Safety - Food handling practices, cooking, chilling, preventing cross contamination and temperature control
• Structure and Cleaning - Cleanliness, layout, condition of the structure, lighting, ventilation, facilities etc
• Confidence in Management - The track record of the business, the attitude of the present management towards hygiene and safety, hygiene and food safety technical knowledge available and satisfactory documented procedures and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) based food safety management systems

The scheme does not reflect the quality of the food being served; it is about how hygienic the premises are.

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When will Scores on the Doors be available in Hastings?

Hastings Borough Council are intending to launch Scores on the Doors by April 2009 in conjunction with other Sussex authorities.  It is envisaged that scoring businesses in line with the above criteria will begin in April 2008, although that information will not be available on-line until the scheme is formally launched.

Further information about Scores on the Doors can be found on the Food Standards Agency website.

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