Food businesses across the UK are inspected by officers from the
local Council. Following the inspection, each business is
scored according to the standards found such as cleanliness.
Many Councils are now publishing the results of their inspections,
often referred to as ‘Scores on the Doors’.
Why publish ‘Scores on the Doors’?
So consumers can make informed choices about where they choose
to eat.
If consumers are making informed choices about where they want
to eat, food business operators will be keen to improve their score
and this will help drive up food hygiene standards across the
country.
Who is participating in the ‘Scores on the Doors’
scheme?
Nationally, over 150 Councils are participating in
different schemes
In Essex, Basildon, Colchester and Southend-on-Sea
Councils are currently publishing their results.
Braintree Council are launching their scheme on 6th June
2008. Maldon and Thurrock are also due to launch
their ‘Scores on the Doors’ in June 2008. Harlow,
Brentwood, Chelmsford and Rochford, are planning to do so later in
the year.
Braintree Council along with other Councils in Essex will only
be publishing the scores of certain types of food business, for
example catering businesses.
Where can I find ‘Scores on the Doors’?
Various schemes exist, however, Braintree District Council along
with the other Essex authorities will be using the following
website - www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk.
Food businesses are rated between 0 and 5 stars, 5 stars being
excellent and no stars being very poor.
This website gives details of how businesses both locally and
nationally have scored following their food hygiene inspection - so
if you want to check out your local take-away or restaurant, just
click onto the website and see.
Do food business operators have the right to query their
score?
Braintree Council will be writing to all their caterers to
advise them of their individual star score and how the scheme works
before publication. Every effort will be made to ensure the
accuracy of the data that is published; however, there will be a
‘formal ‘right to reply’ which food business operators can use.
Should you require further information, please contact
Environment Health at Braintree District
Council.