‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme shows food hygiene rating

Archived press release

Date Published: 13/03/09

The stars are not a reflection on the quality of the food served

People eating out in Aylesbury Vale can now find out how their favourite restaurant, café or takeaway scores on food hygiene.

From Monday 16 March, a simple check on a website (www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/scores) will reveal a star score, with five stars being excellent and one star being poor.

AVDC’s environmental health officers inspect hundreds of kitchens each year to check that food is being stored and handled in accordance with food hygiene regulations. They check that:
• they have proper storage facilities for foodstuffs;
• their staff are adequately trained in good food hygiene handling practices;
• the premises where the food is prepared meets with set standards for cleanliness; and
• there are proper management systems in place to regulate food hygiene.

Now, for the first time in Aylesbury Vale, the resulting inspection scores will be made public, through Scores on the Doors on the council’s website.

After inspection, the food establishment is given a certificate and a sticker to go on a door or window, which shows the star rating, so members of the public know how the premises scored at its last inspection.

It is not compulsory for the premises to display the certificate or sticker but the score will be available on the website. AVDC is working with a number of local businesses to deliver this scheme.

Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said: “The purpose of Scores on the Doors is to give people more information when deciding where to eat. By introducing this scheme we hope that, in the long-term, it will help drive up food safety standards in establishments across the Vale.

“Generally speaking, most of the food premises are of a high standard because of the inspection regime the council runs. However, there is room for improvement in some kitchens and we hope that, with the introduction of Scores on the Doors, they will put in the extra effort to increase their score.

“I think it’s also reassuring for members of the public to know that we inspect food premises to ensure public safety. If our environmental health inspectors find any premises that present a danger to customers, they have the power to close the establishment with immediate effect. Thankfully, that is rarely necessary.”

As well as looking on the website, the information is also available by texting SOTD, followed by the business name and town, to 60060. Calls currently cost 50p plus one SMS message at your network rate.

Scores on the Doors is part of a national initiative that many local authorities across the country have signed up to. You can view ratings for food premises in other council areas by going to www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk