Scores on the doors - frequently asked questions
What is Scores on the Doors?
Scores on the Doors is a scheme being introduced in
Peterborough which allows you to see how well a business is
performing in terms of food hygiene. The score will be in the
form of a star rating.
Why is Peterborough introducing the scheme?
The aims of the scheme are to use consumer choice to drive up
food hygiene standards of food businesses in the City and to
provide customers with information so that they can make an
informed choice about where they eat based upon the hygiene
conditions of a business. In addition, it will give you information
you are legally entitled to receive in a format that is easy to
understand.
Is this a national scheme?
Not at the moment, but the Food Standards Agency are currently
funding two pilot projects in London and the East Midlands. If
these are successful it is likely that a national scheme will be
introduced.
Which businesses will get a star rating?
All food businesses that form part of the Council's inspection
programme, including shops, cafes, restaurants, takeaways, and
public houses. Premises will not receive a rating unless they
have been visited and assessed by a Food Enforcement Officer.
Are there any businesses not part of the scheme?
Low risk businesses such as grocers, community centres and
chemists not selling high risk food are subject to an alternative
method of enforcement and will not receive a star rating.
What businesses come under each category?
Restaurants and takeaways
This includes food premises open to the public for a meal or
takeaway, for example public houses serving food, takeaways, cafes,
sandwich shops and restaurants.
Retailers
This includes butchers, confectioners, supermarkets, bakeries,
post offices and ice cream vans.
Schools and nurseries
This includes schools, colleges, children's nurseries and
playschemes.
Residential and nursing homes
This includes sheltered housing, nursing homes and residential
homes.
Other food businesses
This category includes all miscellaneous food businesses that
do not fall into the other categories, for example mobile caterers,
hotels, bed & breakfasts, public houses not serving food,
cash & carry, wholesalers, caterers, nightclubs and staff
canteens.
How will a business get a star rating?
Following a programmed food hygiene inspection of a premises,
the officer will score it based on the national scoring scheme
defined by the Food Standards Agency. Our officers are all
trained in the scoring system and have been required to use it for
many years. The scores given for hygiene, structure of the
premises, and confidence in the management will be used to
calculate a star rating for the business.
A certificate and/or sticker displaying the rating is then
provided to the food business which they can display in their
premises.
What does the star rating mean?
The star rating lets you see at a glance the hygiene standards
of the business found at the time of inspection; 5 stars meaning
that excellent standards of hygiene were demonstrated and 0 stars
indicating that major improvements were required.
When will all businesses be rated?
The rating will be given when they are next inspected after 1
March 2007. The inspection frequency is determined by the
standards of hygiene observed at the routine food hygiene
inspection. The worst performing businesses are inspected
more frequently. In Peterborough, approximately 1000 food
businesses will be covered by this scheme and it is anticipated it
will take approximately two years for all businesses to receive a
star rating.
Can the star rating be changed?
Yes, but only when the next scheduled food hygiene inspection
is undertaken. A food hygiene inspection will only take place
when it becomes due unless the business ownership details change or
if serious breaches of food legislation are identified. If
the Council is notified of a change of food business operator, the
old score for the premises will be removed from the website and a
new score will be issued following the next routine
inspection.
How often will the rating change?
As soon as a routine food hygiene inspection has been
undertaken.
Who will decide what star rating to give?
The Food Enforcement Officer undertaking the inspection.
Do businesses have to display their star rating?
No. Displaying the certificate and/or sticker is
voluntary. However, the Council will display all the scores
on its website.
How can I find out what star rating is given to a particular business?
You can ask the business directly for their score or you can
visit the Council's website for the list of businesses inspected
and their star rating. The website will be updated on a
weekly basis.
What do I do if the business is not displaying its sticker or certificate
There may be a perfectly good reason for this. The
business may be awaiting an inspection; it may have been inspected
and waiting for a sticker or certificate to be issued; it may not
have been awarded a sticker or certificate as standards were poor
or; as there is no legal obligation for a business to display its
sticker or certificate, they may simply choose not to.
My business received a poor rating and I think it was wrong. What should I do?
In the first instance, you should contact the Food Team Leader
on 01733 747474 and discuss it with him. If you still believe you
have been treated unfairly, the Council's formal complaints
procedure can be used and the matter will be investigated.
The score can only be changed at the next routine food hygiene
inspection, which will be between 6 months and 2 years.
How do I know if the sticker or certificate on display is valid and genuine?
Following a food hygiene inspection the previous sticker or
certificate will be collected by the inspecting officer and
destroyed. In addition, the website will display an
up-to-date list of food businesses and their star rating.
Will this Scheme mean an increase in my Council Tax?
No. The system itself is easy to administer as it uses
data that is already routinely collected and collated by us as part
of our everyday work. Scores on the Doors systems have
already proven their cost effectiveness in other countries such as
Denmark and the USA, where the number of businesses who comply with
the law has significantly increased. The Consumer Association
Which? has already shown widespread public support for such schemes
and our own consultation undertaken during February 2007 showed
that 96% of respondents were in favour of such a scheme going ahead
in Peterborough.
Who do I contact if I want more information about the scheme?
For further information, please contact the
Food Safety Team.