Scores on the Doors

Many local authorities operate a scheme to provide information to customers of food businesses to enable them to make informed choices about the places where they eat out or purchase food from.

Local authority enforcement officers (or Environmental Health Officers) are responsible for inspecting food businesses to ensure that they meet the legal requirements on food hygiene. Under the ‘Scores on the Doors’ schemes, each food outlet is given a hygiene rating or hygiene score that reflects the inspection findings and may display this in their premises where consumers can see it. Scores are also available via websites where consumers can see the scores for all the businesses in the local area.

More than 200 local authorities operate a version of the Food Hygiene scheme. The scheme’s vary in design and operation, with some using a star grading system, usually either three or five stars, and some using a smiley face system. The Food Standards Agency hopes to standardise the system used throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland with a six-tier based system. Scotland would remain on a two-tier based system which is currently in use throughout that country.

The score is calculated based upon a variety of factors, including good cleaning standards and food safety practices, but is heavily weighted upon training for both management and staff, and also having a sufficient food safety system in place. So it is possible to have very clean and safe premises but due to a lack of training and not having a food safety system in place, a low score would result.

Creating a food safety management system does not have to be complicated, and training is also very easy to do. To find out how we can help you call us on 01509 550023.

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