Since the Freedom of Information Act of 2005 was introduced the council has received several requests for information about the standards of hygiene compliance by food businesses in South Gloucestershire. Consumers feel that they should have access to food hygiene information to help them make an informed choice about where they shop or eat out. In June we asked for feedback from food proprietors in South Gloucestershire on a proposal to introduce a star rating scheme. By far the majority of those who expressed an opinion welcomed the proposal. As a result, we are now publishing hygiene scores for certain types of food premises on the internet.
Under the scheme three ratings from the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) risk assessment scores are used to decide the food business's star rating. These ratings have been chosen because food operators have direct control over the standards needed to achieve a good score.
The scheme is to be introduced in phases. From 1st January 2007 all premises which at their last programmed inspection qualified for four or five stars will have their star rating score represented on the 'Scores on The Doors' website. The scheme will not include premises that handle very low-risk foods, like sweet shops. The second phase will affect all relevant food operations as and when they are inspected after 1st January 2007. Since most businesses are inspected according to risk, the list of businesses should be completed within 2 years.
Information on food hygiene inspections held on our computer database will be used to update the website monthly. Certificates indicating the star rating awarded will also be sent to businesses to display on their premises, if they wish.
Proprietors who have carried out work following an inspection and feel that the star rating no longer reflects the standards at their premises are entitled to use the right to reply. Once the accuracy of the statement is confirmed by the local food safety officer the reply will also be displayed on the website.
Publishing this information will clearly be popular with consumers, but our hope is that it will also give proper recognition to those businesses with high standards which they wish to maintain, while encouraging those that have poor standards to improve.
To view individual scores, click on the 'Scores on the Doors' link on the right-hand side, under 'Other websites'.