Scores on the Doors or Food Safety Rating Scheme

Most food businesses in our area have high standards. For the few with poor standards this scheme aims to help the food business operator recognise that improvements are needed and allow customers to make a more informed choice about where to eat.

The proposed food safety rating scheme which is often called 'scores on the doors' will possibly come into effect in Tandridge District Council's area during 2008, but this has yet to be decided.

Any premises inspected since 1 January 2006 by our environmental health food safety team has been assessed against a national food safety risk-rating scheme.

The proposed risk rating scoring system is based on the following three criteria and is derived from the Food Standards Agency's Food Law Code of Practice which all councils use:

• The standard of food hygiene (including food handling procedures prevention of cross contamination, chilling, cooking and temperature control).
• The structure and cleanliness of the premises.
• Confidence in management and control of food safety (the operator's 'track record' on food safety, the implementation and documentation of an effective food safety management system).

The proposed risk rating scoring system is summarised in the following table:

These individual elements would then be added together into a single numerical score, which would determine the final star or food safety rating for each premise in the scheme.

The proposed award scheme will range from five stars for premises with excellent standards of food hygiene to zero stars for food business with very poor hygiene standards.

Under the current Food Standards Agency risk rating scheme the rating will not change until the next inspection.

Each premises wouldl receive a certificate with the relevant number of stars which can be displayed at the entrance to the premises.

However, the Food Standards Agency agreed on 12 March 2008 to consult on 'scores on the doors' with an intention to report to the FSA Board later this year on establishing a national scheme. Implementation of the above proposed five star system has been put on hold until the final FSA decision is made to avoid confusion.

The Agency will consult on two possible schemes:

• a four tiered system, with three stars (good, satisfactory and basic) and a fail rating.
• a three tier scheme with 'Pass' or 'Improvement Required' certificates being issued, alongside a fail rating - as per the scheme which has been piloted in Scotland.

Both schemes appear to use a modified version of the above food rating scheme using the three rating criteria described above.