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What are Scores on Doors?
The
Scores on Doors Scheme will allow the public to view the latest hygiene rating following a programmed
food hygiene inspection carried out by the Environmental Health Team. The score will be in the form
of a star rating.
Why has West Wiltshire introduced the scheme?
West
Wiltshire introduced the scheme for several reasons. We feel the scheme will help to drive up food hygiene
standards even further and gives the public information they are legally entitled to receive in a format
they readily understand, such as a star rating.
Is this a national scheme?
No.
We were the first authority in Wiltshire to introduce a scheme, which started in August 2006, so you
should expect to see a certificate on the front door of many food establishments in the district from
that date onwards. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is very keen on the scheme but currently have no
firm proposal for a national scheme.
Our particular scheme may be subject to change if the FSA does decide to introduce
a national scheme in the future. Differences in the way the bands are calculated could affect the number
of stars awarded to premises, so published scores may change.
Which businesses get a star rating?
All
food businesses where members of the public can buy or eat food, or where there is a public interest.
These businesses or premises are part of the Council’s inspection programme and will include such places
as shops, cafes, restaurants, takeaways, pubs serving or selling food, schools, care or nursing homes,
food wholesalers, small scale food producers etc.
Are there any businesses not part of the scheme?
Many low risk businesses or premises (eg grocers which don't
sell high risk food, small care homes or community halls) will complete a self-assessment questionnaire
instead of receiving an inspection, and therefore do not receive a star rating. However, these businesses
can request to be inspected if they wish. Food manufacturers are part of a different inspection regime
and they will not receive a Scores on Doors rating.
How will a business get a star rating?
Following
a programmed inspection the officer has to score the business based on the national hazard rating scheme
defined by the Food Standards Agency. Click here to view the national scoring scheme
(PDF file, opens in new window).
The officers are trained in scoring and have had to do this for years. The scores
given for hygiene, structure and confidence in management are now used used to calculate a simple star
rating for the business. Click here to view the scoring criteria. (PDF file, opens
in a new window). The star rating will be issued on a certificate and sent to the business who may wish
to display it on the front door or front window - see sample image below. The rating will also be available
on the Council’s website.
What does the star rating mean?
The
star rating lets you see at a glance the hygiene standards in the business at the time of inspection;
5 stars meaning that excellent standards of hygiene were demonstrated, 2 stars mean that the business
is "broadly compliant" with food safety law, and no stars meaning that poor hygiene conditions
found and follow up action is likely.
When will all businesses be rated?
Ratings
will be given when premises are next inspected after the launch date of 1 August 2006. The inspection
'due date' depends on when the business was last inspected and the hygiene conditions that were found
at the time. The worse performing businesses are inspected more frequently.
There are over 900 food businesses eligible to be covered by this scheme in the
district and it is anticipated it will take approximately two years for the majority of 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 non-routine food hygiene inspection
will only take place when the business ownership details change or if serious breaches of food legislation
are identified during a routine visit and require a revisit.
If the Council is notified of a change of food business operator for a food business,
the old score for the premises will be removed from the website. A new score will be issued following
the next routine inspection.
How often does the rating change?
As
soon as a new food inspection has been completed. The information on the website will then be updated.
Who will decide what star rating to give?
The
food safety officer undertaking the inspection, ratified by the Principal Environmental Health Officer.
Do businesses have to display their star rating?
No. Displaying the certificate is voluntary. However, if they
do wish to display the certificate then it must be visible from the outside of the premises therefore
enabling the public to view the latest hygiene score before deciding to enter. However, the Council
displays 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 scores.
The website is be updated on a monthly basis.
What do I do if the business is not displaying its certificate?
There may be a perfectly good reason for this. The business
may still be awaiting an inspection or may have been inspected and waiting for a new certificate to
be issued. Again, there is no legal obligation for a business to display its certificate. Remember that
many businesses may have been self-assessed and will not have a certificate.
Also, there are many businesses which will not have been inspected since Scores
on Doors was introduced - this is because lower risk businesses may have an inspection frequency of
2, 3 or 5 years, and their next inspection is not yet due.
What if a business disagrees with the star rating?
The rating is based on the inspection by a professional officer
with specific legal training in food safety and will not normally be changed. However, if a business
believes it has not been treated fairly the Council’s formal complaints procedure can be used and the
matter will be investigated. The score will change at the next food hygiene inspection only, which can
be anytime between 6 months and 5 years.
The formal complaints procedure is available on the Council’s
website.
If a business has received a low star rating, they may receive a revisit by the
inspector to check on those matters which were the cause of the low score - eg repairs need to be carried
out, staff have not received food safety training, the business does not have a documented food safety
management system. The score will not change after this revisit but the proprietor of the business may
request a letter from the Council stating that the above matters in question have been put right.
Who do I contact if I want more information about the
scheme?
You can phone and speak to anyone in the Environmental
Health Food Team on 01225 776655 extension 594. Email: environmentalhealth@westwiltshire.gov.uk
How do I know if the certificate on display is valid and
genuine?
Following a food hygiene inspection the previous
certificate will be collected by the inspecting officer and destroyed. Each certificate is printed on
special paper and there is also a unique hologram and security number on the front of the certificate.
In addition, the website will offer a list of food businesses, their scores and hologram security number.
Updated February 2008
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