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. 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.
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 has proven to be popular with consumers, We have also found that it will give proper recognition to those businesses with high standards which they wish to maintain, while encouraging those that have poor standards to improve. Since the scheme began in January 2007, the number of premises with 3* or above has risen from 95% to 98%.
To view individual scores, click on the 'Scores on the Doors' link on the right-hand side, under 'Other websites'.