What is
Scores on the
doors?
"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 professional officers from Environmental Services
Commercial team. The score will be in the form of a star
rating.
Why is Forest Heath District Council introducing this
scheme?
The scheme is being introduced 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.
Which
businesses will get a star
rating?
All business that form part of the council's inspection programme.
This will include places like restaurants, takeaways, supermarkets
and pubs serving
food.
Are there any businesses who will not be a part of the
scheme?
Some low risk businesses such as grocers not selling high risk
food, some pubs not serving food and chemists selling sweets are
not part of the inspection scheme and therefore will not receive a
star rating certificate normally. We do however contact them using
alternative
strategies.
Can the star rating be
changed?
Only when a primary food hygiene inspection is undertaken. A
primary 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. We will
then risk rate the premises again at this time. We do not re-rate
following a complaint or a re-visit. This is in accordance with the
Food Standards Agency Codes of Practice and Practice
Guidance.
How often will the rating be
changed?
As soon as a new primary food inspection has been
completed.
Who will decide what the star rating will
be?
The Officer undertaking the inspection will risk rate the premises
in accordance with a national risk rating scheme. Data from this is
used to determine the star
rating.
Do businesses have to display their star
rating?
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, we will be
displaying the hygiene scores on this website.
How can I find out what star rating is given to a particular
business?
You can ask the business directly for their score or you can view
the latest list of food businesses inspected and their scores on
this website. The list will be updated every
month.
What do I do if a business is not displaying it
Certificate?
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.
What if a business disagrees with a Star
rating?
The rating is based on a professional officer's inspection and will
not be changed. The score will change at the next food hygiene
inspection only which can be anytime between 6 months and 2
years.
How do I know if a Certificate is
genuine?
Following a food hygiene inspection the previous certificate will
be collected by the inspecting officer and destroyed. Each
certificate has a unique code which we can easily verify If you are
still in doubt or suspect the certificate on display is not genuine
you can phone and speak to anyone in the Food and Workplace Safety
Team of Environmental Services on 01638 719733 or email by clicking
here.
A
food business has to observe a number of terms and conditions for
displaying the certificate. If these are breached in any way an
Officer will collect the certificate and destroy it. This may also
prevent that business from obtaining another certificate in the
future.