Food Hygiene - Scores on the Doors FAQs

Q1) What is “scores on the doors”?

A1) “Scores on the doors” is a scheme which allows the public to view the latest hygiene rating following a food hygiene inspection carried out by environmental health practitioners.  The score will be in the form of a star rating.

Q2) Why is Stevenage introducing the scheme?

A2) Stevenage is introducing the scheme for several reasons. We feel the scheme will help drive up food hygiene standards even further and will give the public information they are legally entitled to receive in a format they readily understand, such as a star rating.

Q3) Is this a national scheme?

A3) No. Several local authorities in the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire regions have signed up to the scheme  starting in April 2006 so you should expect to see a certificate on the front door of most food establishments in the region. The Food Standards Agency is very keen on the scheme but currently have no firm plans to develop a national scheme.

Q4) Which businesses will get a star rating?

A4) All business that form part of the council’s inspection programme. This will include places like restaurants, takeaways, supermarkets and pubs serving food.

Q5) Are there any businesses not part of the scheme?

A5) Low risk businesses such as grocers not selling high risk food, pubs not serving food and chemists selling sweets are not part of the inspection programme and therefore will not receive a star rating.

Q6) How will a business get a star rating?

A6) Following a planned inspection the officer will score the business based on a national scoring scheme endorsed by the Food Standards Agency. The officers are trained in scoring and have been doing this for years. For the first time, the scores given for hygiene, structure and management will be used to calculate a simple star rating for the business. The star rating will be issued on a certificate and sent to the business to display on the front door or front window. The rating is also available on the council’s web page (www.stevenage.gov.uk/).

Q7) What does the star rating mean?

A7) The star rating lets you see at a glance the hygiene standards in the business at the time of inspection, with 1 star meaning fair, but still safe to eat and 5 stars meaning excellent standards of hygiene were demonstrated. 

Q8) When will all businesses be rated?

A8) The rating will be given when they are next inspected after the launch date of April 1st 2006. The inspection due date depends on when the business was last inspected and the hygiene conditions found at the time. The worst performing businesses are inspected more often than the better performing businesses. There are currently approximately 1,000 food businesses covered by this scheme in the borough and it is anticipated it will take approximately 18 months to get round to all the businesses.

Q9) Can the star rating be changed?

A9) Yes, but only when a food hygiene inspection is undertaken.  A food hygiene inspection will only take place when it is due unless the business ownership details change or if serious breaches of food legislation are identified during a routine visit. 

Q10) How often will the rating change?

A10) As soon as a new food inspection has been completed.

Q11) Who will decide what star rating to give?

A11) The officer undertaking the inspection.

Q12) Do businesses have to display their star rating?

A12) 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 will be displaying the scores on its website (www.Stevenage.gov.uk/). 

Q13) How can I find out what star rating is given to a particular business?

A13) You can ask the business directly for their score or you can visit the council’s website for the latest list of businesses inspected and their scores. The council will also be making this information available on request from Environmental Health. The list will be updated every week.

Q14) What do I do if the business is not displaying its certificate?

A14) 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. The business may not have been awarded a certificate as standards were poor at the time of the inspection. Remember: to get a 1 star a basic safe standard needs to be achieved!

Q15) What if a businesses disagrees with the star rating?

A15) The rating is based on a professional officer’s inspection 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.  If a business feels that standards have improved since the inspection they will have the right to have their comments posted on the council’s website as long as they are accurate in the officer’s opinion.  The score will change at the next food hygiene inspection only which can be anytime between 6 months and 2 years.

Q16) Who do I contact if I want more information about the scheme?

A16) You can phone and speak to anyone in the Commercial Team (Environmental Health) on 01438 242908, email env.health@stevenage.gov.uk