The National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (Scores on the Doors)
What is the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme ("Scores on the Doors")
The Food Hygiene Rating scheme, better known as Scores on the Doors, have been introduced by over 200 authorities across Britain to allow local people to choose the places in which they eat out and from which they purchase food wisely, and to encourage local businesses to improve hygiene standards.
The national scheme launched on the 1st October 2010, with Torfaen one of the first authorities to list food hygiene scores for food premises in its area.
Under these Scores on the Doors schemes, food outlets such as cafes and shops are given a hygiene rating or hygiene score based on the findings of routine inspections carried out by local authority officers. These scores can be displayed by businesses where consumers can see it, and scores are also available via websites where consumers can see the scores for all the businesses in the local area.
What it means for consumers
This scheme is designed to protect consumers, by showing them the hygiene standards of the shops, cafes and pubs where they buy or eat food.
Good food premises will be proud to display their Score on the Door, whilst poor premises will be unable to hide because their details will be available on both local and national Scores on the Doors websites.
Further Consumer Information| is available here.
What it means for businesses
Good businesses have nothing to fear – in fact, just the opposite as their customers will now be told about their good hygiene standards.
Poor premises have been told about the scheme so that they have had an opportunity to improve before the scheme starts, and will also be allowed to be re-assessed once they have improved their standards to an acceptable level.
Further Business Information| is available here.
When is the scheme launching in Torfaen?
The Food Standards Agency| (FSA) launched the national website on the 1st October 2010.
As the scheme develops, Torfaen Council is hoping to develop its own site with this information and more!
Getting more information
Further Consumer Information| is available here
Further Business Information| is available here.